Day 3 - Kilkenny & the Cliff Walk at Ardmore

Kilkenny Castle, built in the early 13th Century for the Earl of Pembroke.  It was later owned by the Irish Family the Butler's (Earls of Ormond.  We toured through the inside were it was recreated to the 18th century rendition. 

Parking was the biggest issue - trying to find a spot in the vicinity of the castle that and the crazy streets & roundabouts.  We trekked from here through Dungarvan (where we ended up going over a round about) some nice highways & some lanes that were no more than a cow path (thanks to the GPS).  It told us to turn right when we should have turned left & we were going down gravel roads that were barely wide enough for the car.  We turned the GPS off & pulled out the B&B's written directions.  Found the place too!  It was about 1-2 Km from were the cow path went back out on the highway.  All things considered, my husband Antonio is doing a wonderful job driving the roads of Ireland!  Yesenia says it is the power of prayer especially Rosenda's!  I don't doubt it...

We checked in with the proprietor then went on to St Delcan's cliff walk in Ardmore.  Once we found a place to park (facing the bay off the Atlantic Ocean) we proceeded up the Hill past the Hotel to the path.

St Declan predates St Patrick.  It is said that Ardmore is one of the 1st Christian settlement in Ireland if not the 1st.  Founded by St Declan in 319 AD.

Small chapel on the walk - Antonio is at the threshold.

Further up the path I ended up facing one of my fears - heights! Part of the walk (though I was told was quite safe) went to the edge & dropped straight down to the Atlantic Ocean - no fence or rail... I did not dally in this stretch.

The rocks & waves in this stretch were fascinating to view.

Looking back over this stretch behind my daughter & husband is the Napoleon lookout tower.  Built to monitor the coast line for Napoleon & his armies.  A small watch house closer to the edge was built during WWII to monitor ship traffic in the area.

Father O'Donnells well - a favorite priest of the locals in the early 20th century.

This is the original Cathedral & round tower built in the settlement.

St Declan's Well - It is believed that he is buried here.  I heard an odd noise when I first looked inside.  I thought Huh....  It did not happen when I looked back in though.

Don't know if you can read this.  It is a little bit about St Declan.

After our walk - we went to dinner at a pub & restaurant with a lot of character & a Gaelic name I can't quite remember but it was something like Au Schaunin.  Great burgers - I had a Smithwick's the others had beverages of choice with there burgers.

 oíche mhaith duit!,

Rita