Fun things to do in County Kilkenny

and here it is: the CASTLE'S ROSEGARDEN, seen from above........

Here we can really see how extremely green IRELAND is......yes, we all think that neighbours grass is always greener but IRELAND'S greeness beats everything, thanks TO THE ABUNDANT RAINFALL......

In the background the SILHOUETTE of the famous ST. CANICE CATHEDRAL and other important buildings of KILKENNY CITY!

This is a TUDOR MERCHANT'S HOUSE in the centre of KILKENNY CITY in Parliament street to be more specific!

It is now the property of the Kilkenny ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY and it is a UNIQUE survival of a late 16th Century town house in IRELAND.

The substantional stone house was built by JOHN ROTHE FITZ-piers, a prosperous merchant.

In fact the building consists of 3 houses, connected with courtyards.

But as so often, things went wrong: the Rothes were forced to leave, the house declined during the 18th & 19th Century and it was a roofles ruin in the late 19th Century!

An active programme of restoration has taken place since the Kilkenny Arch. Society purchased the nearly-derelict property in 1962.

There is now also a most wonderful COSTUME COLLECTION and so much more that makes a visit so very worthwhile....

This Black Abbey ( as well as the St. Francis' Abbey & St. John's Priory) date back to mediaeval times.

The grandeur of the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity, set in the heart of the ancient Kingdom of OSSORY, makes it one of the most revered churches in IRELAND.

Adorned by stained glass windows, pre-reformation statues and exemplary architecture, the hallowed ABBEY is one of the oldest functioning catholic churches in the country.

During its 700 year life span, it has withstood the difficulties of time and numerous crises to stay intact as a sanctuary of PRAYER, HOPE, REPENTENCE & RESOLVE.....

There are some areas in IRELAND where caves are most abundant such as: the BURREN of Co. Clare, the MARBLE ARCH area of Co. Fermanagh and the uplands or Cos. Leitrim & Sligo.

All these areas, and Dunmore, are formed of Carboniferous limestone, laid down over 300 millions of years.

Part of the interest of Dunmore Cave stems from the fact that it is the only cave of significance known in SOUTH EAST Ireland and its nearest rival in size is the MITCHELSTOWN CAVE in Co. Tipperary (SEE MY TIPPERARY PAGE......) some 50 miles away!

The largest Irish cave so far discovered, POLLNAGOLLUM, Co. Clare is over 7 miles long and the deepest is over 150 metres below the surface.

By contrast, Dunmore Cave contains less than a quarter of a mile of passages and its deepest point is only 50 metres below the entrance.

Yet, despite its modest size, the BEAUTY of its formations and its scientific and historical interest make it one of IRELAND'S MOST FASCINATING CAVERNS: which I CAN AGREE WITH........I HAVE ENJOYED THIS CAVE VERY MUCH....AND CAN RECOMMEND A VISIT WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

This CAVE, with its imposing entrance, has been known of centuries but it is only comparatively recently that it has been fully explored and attempts have been made to unravel its history.

Until the 17th Century caves were regarded with dread and awe as being entrances to HELL, and to this day caves are still objects of mystery and fear for many people.....

From the 18th Century onwards a number of visitors, including scientists and historians, have written about this particular cave....

DUNMORE CAVE is, since 1940, in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works as a NATIONAL MONUMENT because of its historic interest.

Research on geological and historical aspects of the cave has been pursued making it one of the best documented cave sites in EUROPE.

The CAVE has a very nice VISITORS CENTRE and a SITE MUSEUM and the cave surroundings have been landscaped in a lovely way!

There are stairs, and an extensive lighting system.........no need to engane in potholing here!!!!

I would like to RECOMMEND to you the little but wonderful booklet on the cave, with pictures and explanations, also about caves in general.....

Kilkenny Design Centre is a wonderful place to buy gifts and souvenirs of HIGH QUALITY, it is amazing that practically all GIFT & CRAFT SHOPS only sell EXQUISITE QUALITY ITEMS......not cheap, but perfect and very worthwhile the money: GOOD VALUE...

Jewelers, woodworkers, potters and craftsmen of great skill are also to be found burrowed down many a side street, a narrow alley or a slip-way!

The ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL has bequeathed a terrific legacy, perhaps best exemplified by the ongoing exhibitions in the BUTLER GALLERY.

BTW The Watergate Theatre on Parliament Street regularly hosts plays that go on to grace the stages of DUBLIN.....that's what I mean.............

On the June Bank Holiday Weekend everybody with a few hours to spare heads to Kilkenny City, to see some of the world's top comedians. Catch an early show, and stay out to sample the nightlife (warning: Matt the Miller's was absolutely boiling the night I was there after a gig, literally 8 billion degrees (maybe an exaggeration), and this is a common occurrence there). The best thing to do is to start in the River Court Hotel, in the Riverview Bar, then on to your gig, and then to Matt's (cos you need a ticket nearly everywhere else).

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If you decide to visit Graiguenamanagh (see earlier tip) you’ll pass through the small village of Gowran along the way. Keep an eye out for the impressive St Mary’s Church, which dates from the 13th Century on the site of a monastery. Like many of Kilkenny’s best known sites the church is run by the Office of Public Works.