Day 3 - Leave Kilkenny for Blarney

 Monday, Day 3.  I do not believe I mentioned that this weekend is a Irish holiday.  One weekend a month for 10 months of the year the Irish have what is called a Bank Holiday.  It is basically a 3 day weekend when the banks and most businesses are closed.  Except, of course, Pubs and stores selling things to tourists.  That was this weekend, through today.

This morning we got up well rested at 8 am and had another wonderful breakfast at the B&B.  

Speaking of Breakfast, there are basically 2 breakfasts in Ireland.  Standard, common or light breakfast.  Which usually consists of fruit, yogurt, cereal and the like.  Then there is a "full" breakfast.  This breakfast contains at least: egg(s), 2 sausage links, 2 slices of ham, steamed tomatoes and mushrooms, black and white pudding (that is an explanation for another post) and a plate piled high with a couple slices each of several types of bread, rolls and/or croissants.  Its a manly meal meant to keep you going all day until dinner. (So they say) They may also offer you a small glass of beer with your breakfast. 

If you are out for breakfast in a regular restaurant you can about any breakfast you like.  But they will always have "Full Irish breakfast" on the menu.  At hotels and B&B's you usually only get your choice of the 2.

So we left the B&B at 11 am.  If you ever find yourself in Kilkenny looking for a place to stay we would definitely recommend the Carraig Rue B&B.  Reasonably priced.  Very friendly husband and wife owners running the place.  Clean, simply appointed rooms and close to the happening places in Kilkenny.

We decided to swing back by Clogh because I wanted to get a picture of the sign for the Village of Clogh.  So after a quick revisit there we turned South and headed for Blarney.  Which was about 2 hours away from Clogh.  

Along the way is one of the oldest and best known castles in the world.  It is called the Rock of Cashel. While it is technically a castle, the structures there are all churches, chapels and the big main cathedral.  Along with a graveyard and supporting buildings.

It is neat in that it has been built and rebuilt time again right on top of itself.  You can see where they built a new bigger church part and an older smaller part was in the way, they removed what they needed for the new structure, and left the remainder of the old structure standing. 

Its oldest parts date back prior to the Norman invasion of 1069.   The castle actually has various parts added on at different times through history.  Through the centuries various parts were replaced, expanded, sacked by invaders, etc.  Today it is owned and maintained by the Irish government.  There is very limited restoration going on.  The roofs have been missing off most of the main structures for 100's of years Thanks to a Bishop who didn't want to come way out to the "Rock" to live so he burned, or otherwise tore off the roofs in order make the place unusable.  He built a new church down in the town of Cashel.  Of course it included a nice residence for himself. 

Without getting into tons of history around this castle, I will say, to me the most interesting history of the castle is that in the 5th century AD St. Patrick (Irelands patron Saint) came back to Ireland as a priest and Bishop and convinced the Pagan King of the Celts to convert to Christianity, and baptized him.   Thus starting Irelands long history of Christianity.  And supposedly the ceremony converting the Pagan King to Christianity took place at a natural artesian spring on the grounds of the Rock of Cashel that is still there and flowing today.  Pretty cool.

No more history.  But here's an interesting legend.  There is a 1000 year old, partly broken Cruciform Statue here.  Supposedly it depicts Jesus on one side of cross and St. Patrick on the other.  Legend has it that if you can wrap your arms around the feet of both men at the base of the statue and touch your hands together, you well never suffer toothaches again.  (Yea, go ahead and scratch your head and say: "wha... huh?")  I did and so did most of the people on the tour.  But when the tour was over, several came back to the statue to see if any could hug the feet of both Jesus and St. Patrick and touch their hands together.  I didn't stay there long, but I watched several people tried - unsuccessfully.  BUUUUUUT, GUESS WHO DID IT?

NO MORE TOOTH ACHES FOR ME!

We toured the castle for about 2 hours. There are a bunch of pictures of the Rock of Cashel.  Go through them if you like.  From a photography standpoint, it is really hard to get good pictures of something so big.  Which did not stop Anita and I from trying.

You can find the Day 3 pictures here:  Day 3 Pictures

When we were done at the Rock of Cashel we continued are trip south to Blarney and landed at the Muskerry Arms Pub, Restaurant and B&B.  Cool place.  It is only a couple hundred yards from the entrance to Blarney Castle.  Which, despite begging and pleading from friends and family, we will go to tomorrow and I will kiss the Blarney Stone to receive the "Gift of Gab".  😄

So that catches us up.  Time for a pint and then a good nights sleep at the Muskerry Arms.

Our journey continues south tomorrow after I kiss the stone.

Thanks for continuing to follow us.

Anita and Jim