Waterford, Ireland

I forgot to put this picture in yesterday of the OP crew loading the tender (the small boat that took us back and forth from the Ocean Princess to the port in Dartmouth) back onto the ship.  It was interesting to watch!

Our next stop on Friday, August 9th was Waterford, Ireland.  The crew was very happy that they could anchor right on the dock and did not have to shuttle us back and forth in the tenders.  That is a lot of work for them!

Mike and I both agree that Ireland is still our favorite place of all that we have visited in that area.  It is so green and beautiful.  We had not visited Waterford before either, so this was a fun day for us.  After disembarking the OP, we caught a bus to the city of Kilkenny, an hour north of Waterford, to visit the Kilkenny Castle.  This is an old church that we saw along the way.

A common sight in Ireland!  This is where all their beautiful wool comes from!

A sandwich shop in Kilkenny

A sweet shop in Kilkenny.  Notice you can buy Bon Bons, Humbugs, Lollies and Dollies!

Mike in front of Kilkenny Castle.  The Castle dates from about 1200 and is the seat of the Butler family.  It actually served as a nobleman's residence for nearly 800 years.
It has undergone many restorations over the centuries.  The current castle dates to the 17th century.  The exterior has many turrets and battlements but most of the interior is furnished in 19th century style.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside but when I saw the dining room, it looked just like a scene from Downton Abbey!

For nearly a thousand years, Kilkenny was the ancient capital of the Gaelic Kingdom of Ossory.  Following the Norman Invasion in the 12th century, the Anglo-Norman knights got along surprisingly well with the native clans.  The dominant Butler family and several others began to adopt features of the Gaelic culture producing a unique hybrid civilization.

The grounds surrounding the castle are beautiful.

Kilkenny Castle is the former home of the Dukes of Ormonde.
The Butler ownership began when James (c.1360-1405), 3rd Earl of Ormonde, purchased the castle in c.1391, and lasted until 1967 when Arthur, 6th Marquess of Ormonde (1893-1971), presented it to the people of Kilkenny in return for a token payment of £50. (From Kilkenny Castle website)

Kilkenny is considered Ireland's best preserved medieval city.  It is set along the banks of the River Nore, with a castle and cathedral on opposite sides of the city.  Narrow alleys have names like Horseleap Slip and Pennyfeather Lane.

Kilkenny County is famed for its rich farmland, and includes the Nore and Barrow Valleys.

A view of Kilkenny Castle from the River Nore.




After spending the morning in Kilkenny, we took the bus back to Waterford.  More on that tomorrow!