Date: Feb. 23, '15, Tuesday. Larry and I are enjoying an amazing buffet breakfast at the Noremore Hotel and Country Club. This will be a photo journal of our first full day in Ireland. We had just enjoyed a great afternoon and night of recuperation and were ready to start our day's adventure!.
Below are a few shots of the place, the entrance and the crocuses making an appearance in of all things the month of February.
Below are a few shots of the place, the entrance and the crocuses making an appearance in of all things the month of February.
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The country club is located one hour north of Dublin. Today we would leave here and drive to Kilkenny, which due to some learning about how Ireland maps their country, took us about three hours to make our way there. Probably about an hour or so more than normal.
When we got to our B&B, we realized we were only a 12 minute walk from the Castle and the reconstructed medieval village that went with it. So it became a walking tour. We did need the exerciser.
A BRIEF HISTORY:
The Earl William Marshall owned large estates in Ireland, England, Wales and France and managed them effectively. He began a major phase of development in Kilkenny, including the construction of Kilkenny Castle and the agreement of rents and privileges with burgesses or citizens of the borough. The first stone castle on the site, was completed in 1213. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day.
James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde bought the castle in 1391 and established himself as ruler of the area. This began the "Butler Dynasy which rulled the area of centuries lasting over 500 years. They were the Earls, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. One Lady Margaret Butler, born in this castle was the paternal grandmother of Anny Boleyn, who you may remember as the second wife of King Henry V111 of England.
The Castle became the seat of power and was the venue for the meeting of the General Assembly or parliament of the Confederate Ireland government in the 1640s.
The Butler family lived there till 1935 when they abandoned it and moved to London. In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde, sold the abandoned and deteriorating castle to the Castle Restoration Committee for £50, It has been refurbished and is now a great place to see, we loved the tour.
THE ART GALLERY:
We take photos, they commissioned paintings! The unique aspect of this castle is that it had an art gallery on one of its wings which held over 500 paintings which the Butler family commissioned as portraits and also paintings of historical family events. For example when one of the family served the first goblet of wine to one of the newly crowned kings of England. Or when another refused to give up his sword when entering the banquet room of an official political event. Everyone else had given
given up their's upon entry, but not him! The art gallery was a real surprise and jaw dropper as we walked into this huge castle wing dedicated to all these paintings. We were very impressed.
Below is a picture of the castle garden from one of the upper windows. Notice that it is in the shape of a Celtic cross. You can tell it's spring, plants are just emerging or being planted.
A BRIEF HISTORY:
The Earl William Marshall owned large estates in Ireland, England, Wales and France and managed them effectively. He began a major phase of development in Kilkenny, including the construction of Kilkenny Castle and the agreement of rents and privileges with burgesses or citizens of the borough. The first stone castle on the site, was completed in 1213. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day.
James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde bought the castle in 1391 and established himself as ruler of the area. This began the "Butler Dynasy which rulled the area of centuries lasting over 500 years. They were the Earls, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. One Lady Margaret Butler, born in this castle was the paternal grandmother of Anny Boleyn, who you may remember as the second wife of King Henry V111 of England.
The Castle became the seat of power and was the venue for the meeting of the General Assembly or parliament of the Confederate Ireland government in the 1640s.
The Butler family lived there till 1935 when they abandoned it and moved to London. In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde, sold the abandoned and deteriorating castle to the Castle Restoration Committee for £50, It has been refurbished and is now a great place to see, we loved the tour.
THE ART GALLERY:
We take photos, they commissioned paintings! The unique aspect of this castle is that it had an art gallery on one of its wings which held over 500 paintings which the Butler family commissioned as portraits and also paintings of historical family events. For example when one of the family served the first goblet of wine to one of the newly crowned kings of England. Or when another refused to give up his sword when entering the banquet room of an official political event. Everyone else had given
given up their's upon entry, but not him! The art gallery was a real surprise and jaw dropper as we walked into this huge castle wing dedicated to all these paintings. We were very impressed.
Below is a picture of the castle garden from one of the upper windows. Notice that it is in the shape of a Celtic cross. You can tell it's spring, plants are just emerging or being planted.
We were not allowed to take photos inside the castle but here are some I took as I walked around the outside to the left.
For a view of the inside of the art gallery go to http://www.kilkennycastle.ie/
So you can see where the eastern wall used to stand, but what happened? How did it disappear? Well, to put it simply and plainly it and the North-Eastern tower were blown to bits during the 1650 Cromwellian very bloody siege of Ireland. Even though the Butlers were protestant, it was his way of symbolically saying I'm in charge and taking over the Irish government which was meeting there at the time.
THE REST OF THE TOUR IN KILKENNY:
After this we walked around the village area built in the form of the original medieval style of crooked narrow streets. The Church on the right below is St. Canice's Cathedral. Unfortunately, we stayed too long at the castle so by the time we got here it was closed.
If you are ever planning a trip check out http://www.visitkilkenny.ie/tynans_walking_tours and other websites which explain the amenaties of Kilkenny.
THE REST OF THE TOUR IN KILKENNY:
After this we walked around the village area built in the form of the original medieval style of crooked narrow streets. The Church on the right below is St. Canice's Cathedral. Unfortunately, we stayed too long at the castle so by the time we got here it was closed.
If you are ever planning a trip check out http://www.visitkilkenny.ie/tynans_walking_tours and other websites which explain the amenaties of Kilkenny.
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After our self guided tour through the town we stopped for supper at the pub, Kytelers Inn. On the left is our view of the bar from our table. We enjoyed a great meal here, I had some great Irish stew.
After that we walked back home to our B&B for a good nights sleep.
Tomorrow, it's all about making Crystal!
Tomorrow, it's all about making Crystal!
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