We took a one day trip tour outside Dublin, this time going South-east towards the Kilkenny county. Once more the green pasture lands we had got used to the day before caught our attention every time we looked out.
The bus dropped us by the Design and Craft Centre in front of the Kilkenni castle and whilst some of the tourists went to the Dunmore caves, we decided to stay with a small group in the city so as to go on a sightseeing tour around it. Prior to getting on that tour we strolled in the gardens and park land of the castle open to the public. The castle is said to have been built in 1195 by the first Earl of Pembroke to control the junction of several route-ways and fording-point of the river Nore, on whose banks the city was built.
The Castle is said to have become the seat to a very powerful family, the Buttlers of Ormonde during the Norman invasion, though they lived there till 1935.
The castle gardens were very beautiful, as well as well looked after and it was particularly relaxing to admire the views over the river or just sit around enjoying the surrounding atmosphere.
(To be continued)
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