From Kilkenny to Cahir Castle to the Rock of Cashel to Limerick

06/10/2022

We have breakfast at a hotel a few steps away from our pub. An ancient house where we are initially the only breakfast guests, but we enjoy an incredibly delicious breakfast with delicious tea and cereal in exquisite surroundings.

After a little shopping spree in Kilkenny, we head to Cahir. 

Cahir Castle

The castle has served as a film set (e.g. Game of Thrones) multiple times. We walk through the grounds, crawl under low door frames, climb narrow, steep stairs up to towers, and enjoy a scone in our hands in front of walls from the early Middle Ages.

An adjacent park with beautiful meadow flowers is stunning to look at but difficult to photograph in the strong wind.

We drive 20km further to the Rock of Cashel.

Rock of Cashel

Since the 4th century, kings have been crowned at this location, built fortresses and churches here, and of course, had a great vantage point to spot visitors and enemies long before their arrival. This most important building of Irish Romanesque architecture is located on a rocky plateau and can be seen from afar.

In addition to the remains of the cathedral, there are many high crosses in the surrounding cemetery. The Vicar's Hall features a painted wooden ceiling and several small wooden figures on the wall. The St. Patrick's Cross dates back to the 12th century.

The entire area is about 80-100 sqm in size, and by today's standards of such sky sheriffs, this already seems modest. An absolute highlight is the Cormac's Chapel, an enormously tall and multi-nave structure with a breathtaking roof, which today consists only of parts of the original construction.

The 32m high round tower on one of the side aisles is the oldest part of the entire structure and dates back to around 900. We are completely thrilled with this experience.

It is nice to be able to view all of this in peace. Our driving distances are not too long, and we arrive at the hotel in Limerick around 18:00.

Our room is great, we overlook the Abbey River, a tributary of the Shannon, which also flows through the city.

We don't leave the hotel until after 19:00 and want to explore the old town. Our travel guides offer contradictory information about the city. They are trying to redesign the city center, but we can't really seem to like the place.

A bit run-down shops, strange people, no flair, not even anything nice to choose from for dinner. We end up in a sushi restaurant, the food is delicious, but at 52 euros for 2 people, it's not exactly cheap.