From Dublin to Kilkenny!

Late (very late) Thursday night, I stepped foot into a country I have wanted to visit since first grade: Ireland. My love of Ireland started when I saw Xena: Warrior Princess, which was filmed in there. The images you find in the TV series depict a beautiful world that was just effortlessly green. Ever since I landed in London, I knew I would have to go so I made it happen.

I got off of the airport in Dublin and took a cab to Clontarf Castle. Yep, I stayed in a castle! Would you expect anything less from me? J It was such an pretty place. There has been a castle on this site since 1172. It was interesting the way this place was built. In the lobby was a very old tower, you could tell the difference in the stones where the original stone ended and the restored top began. The most amazing part of the castle was that the hotel was built around the original. You could lounge in the lobby next to the stone wall or go inside the tower for a little lounge room and peer through the arched windows. The part of the hotel that was added on was designed to look like an extension of the castle. It was just breath-taking. We ordered pizza, watched The Hobbit, and went to sleep.

The following morning, it was time to explore the city centre of Dublin. To get to the bus stop, you have to walk to the ocean. It was so beautiful! Though the water and sky were grey, it made the green of the grass seem so much more vibrant. I fell in love with the coast line and the little light house in the distance. 

Dublin (City Center)

Then we went to the city centre of Dublin. I explored Trinity College where the Book of Kells is kept, walked around neat little alley ways with shops on every corner, and even gave a broken statue new arms. Turns out it was some sort of tomb stone in a parking lot, but whatever. I was eventually convinced to go to the Guinness factory. I don’t drink beer, so I wasn’t that excited. I thought it would just be a tour of the inside of a factory with loud, modern machinery everywhere. I was wrong. We toured the original factory from ages ago, with pieces of the old, awesome machinery still in place. They had overhauled the place to add in videos, a large room of barley, and a waterfall. The self-guided tour took you through each step of the beer making process ending with a description of all the flavours in Guinness along with a sample. Turns out, Guinness is pretty delicious! Who’d have thought?

 

Guinness Factory

We continued through the factory, browsing through their old ad campaigns and commercials and ran across the Guinness School for crafting the perfect beer. We were given a brief lesson, and then allowed to pour our own pint. Mine was pretty perfect, I was proud. I drank it in The Gravity Bar on the top floor with a panoramic view of Dublin. The view was not as beautiful as Paris, but it had its own charm. And green! It’s everywhere! After the factory it was a nice dinner, movies, and bed. We had scheduled a day trip to Glendalough and Kilkenny in the morning and had to be up early.

Glendalough National Park - Upper Lake

The morning started off hectic, we decided to take our luggage with us on the tour (which, of course, we were late for). Running for the coach, we made it just in time. The bus went through little rural parts of Dublin with cute little buildings and beautiful churches, but the countryside….that is why we came. There were the Mountains of Wicklow which were just gorgeous. Apparently, that Sunday there was so much snow people couldn’t get through. Here I was, with amazingly clear blue skies and warm sun; it never rained. I was blessed! I managed to stay awake all the way to the Glendalough National Park. Again, just stunning with crystal clear lakes and woods covered in moss, ancient building and a cemetery. I walked a mile and a half through the woods, past the lakes, to the monastic ruins and through the cemetery where I wandered for a bit.

 

               

          Of course, there was a gift shop. What was different was this place had a book of names. If you found your name you could order a family coat of arms and the history of that name. I actually found my name! Spelled correctly! I was interested to see how an Irish person would pronounce it, so I asked the shop keeper. She was one of the first people to guess the pronunciation correct on the first try! I was so excited! Later that day I called dad to see if he wanted me to order it and he did. We’re going to compare it to the one my brother bought from ancestry.com. I can’t even explain how amazed I was to find my name in some old book at a random park in the middle of Ireland. It seems like I was meant to go that way.

           

         

              

Kilkenny and that's me!

            The bus then took me to a place called Kilkenny. This was the only city I have been in since abroad that could rival that of Bath, England. Where bath was gold, Kilkenny was silver. The streets were an ancient stone, the houses matched. And on the edge of town: a castle! A real, absolutely amazing, ancient castle looking exactly like the ones you would find in a Disney movie. I fell in love instantly. Kilkenny had everything I could ever want in a place to live. A castle, cobblestones, a design and arts centre, a fairly large main street with little boutiques and restaurants all while being as calm and quite as the town I grew up in. It had all the best of a city wrapped up in a small town atmosphere. It’s the first time since we lost our house that I felt as relaxed as if I was back in my childhood home.

          

          I wandered and found a room above a bar to stay for the night then explored. I just wandered through the city, taking in all of the amazing architecture. There was a small, crystal clear river running through the centre of the city and an ancient cathedral every couple of streets. I lost count after seven. And interesting comparison, in London everyone has a dog (mostly the little yappy kinds I don’t like), in Kilkenny there were cats everywhere! I loved it! I even tried to chase one down so that I could pet it, but it ran away. I jumped over a bush for that cat! It didn’t even hiss at me, just pranced through a bush and disappeared. It made me miss my babies. 

           

More of Kilkenny

            I found a little silversmith shop where the creator of the replica of The Sam Cup had his business. He was the nicest old man (actually, everyone in Kilkenny seemed kind). He showed me the metals he makes his pieces out of and explained how he makes rings. I wound up buying one off of him after he lowered the price for me. A student discount, you know. It’s a ring with a design inspired by The Book of Kells. “You can’t get any more Irish than that,” he said. It was such an experience talking to him.

            

             After dinner, I explored some of the night life. There was a bar playing a combination of United States country music and rap. My favourite is called The Field; it played popular U.S. rock music including ACDC and Blink 182. I was totally in love with this place. I also went to my first ever dance club and discovered I don’t really like them so much, especially after someone smacked my ass. Not cool. I think I’m more of a bar girl. I enjoy sitting at the bar or rocking to good music, not dancing to rap or pop. Just not my thing.

            

One of the many cathedrals in Kilkenny

             From my experience in Kilkenny, I learned that Americans are a commodity. I didn’t run into any there, whereas in Dublin they were rather common. So many locals came up to me excited, “Are you American?” “Oh my God, I love your accent!” “I’ve always wanted to go to America!” It was eye opening. There were even American flags hanging on buildings. The people of Ireland really seemed to love the U.S. There were an unusual number of guys hitting on me, but I won’t get into that. However, for the first time in a while, I felt a little pride in being from the U.S. I felt so appreciated. It was so different from how I’ve felt in the other countries I visited. It’s decided. I’m going back to Kilkenny someday. It had everything I’ve ever wanted, even a little house surrounded by Elvis Presley paraphernalia. Mom would love it!

            

             It broke my heart to leave Kilkenny. I felt so at home, but I guess all things must come to an end….for now. I’m determined to go back someday, for much longer. I didn’t get a chance to explore every nook and cranny. If anyone is ever thinking of going to Ireland, make sure you ad this city onto your list of places to visit. It’s definitely worth the trip.

            Well, it’s back to the real world for me. At least my bestest is coming to visit in two day! I’m so excited to see her again! Now to convince Tom to come as we, ;-). Then next weekend, I’m off to Istanbul! I’m sure my dad will freak when he finds out about that one. Oh well, until next time.

Cheers!