Kilkenny Castle

Look!  A castle!  

While in Ireland we have seen dozens of castle ruins, but KilkennyCastle  is  the first one we have toured that has been lived in right into the 20th Century and then owned and operated as a tourist location in the 21st century. Very interesting to see the remains of medieval construction up to the present day renovations. 

Kilkenny

Our drive from the Boyne River area to Kilkenny seemed to take a long time. There was no direct route so we had to take many small roads. 

We hadn't previously booked lodging, so we were very happy to find a wonderful B&B in Kilkenny, Mena House. The owner, Catherine suggested eating at Matt the Miller as they have traditional live Irish music. What a great choice. We could have been in Cape Breton listening to Stan Rogers. I think I knew almost all the songs they played!  It was wonderful!!

We walked downtown, exploring the city sites. Kilkenny Castle looks beautiful!  Especially from the bridge. It was a glorious evening - beautiful weather and such nice views for our walk!

Trim Castle

We hated to leave the Boyne Valley area, there was so much more we could have done and seen here.  We did take the time to stop by Trim Castle on our way out of the Boyne area.  This castle was used for the filming of Braveheart. (Yes, they used an Irish castle to film a Scottish story. Not sure why?)

Just outside Trim castle. 

Looking at Trim Castle from the other side of the Boyne River. 

Closer to the river side of the castle ruins. 

Across from Trim Castle is a church and tower ruins. 

Between Trim Castle and Kilkenney we spotted a field of wheat with wild poppies growing in it. Very pretty!

Newgrange Tomb

Newgrange, the best known Irish passage tomb, is surrounded by a kerb of 97 stones, the most impressive of which is the highly decorated Entrance Stone. The mound covers a single tomb consisting of a long passage and a cross shaped chamber. 

Newgrange was excavated in 1962 and 1975 by Professor M J O'Kelly who discovered the Roof Box through which the mid winter sun penetrated into the chamber. However the tomb's existence was known about long before this time and was open to plundering and graffiti. 

Newgrange from a distance. Shows the immense size of the structure. 

The decorated entrance stone, the entranceway under the flat piece of slate and the light box surrounded by white granite stones. 

In the distant fields smaller a mounds are visible. 

Other highly decorated stones. 

Passage Tomb Knowth

The great mound of Knowth site is outlined by 127 massive kerbstones. Around this are at least 18 smaller or satellite tombs. It was probably originally constructed about 3000 to 3500BC. 

Knowth was excavated in 1967 by Professor George Eogan. They found two tombs within the large central mound, with a wealth of decorated structural stones. 

Also a reconstructed Timber Circle (Wood Henge), which was originally built about 2500 BC, stands. Below each timber post there were remains of pottery, flint from weapons, animal and human remains. 

The large tomb and some satellite tombs. 

Our guide explaining the tombs. 

One of the two entrances to the large tomb. Note the fallic shaped stone at the entrance. 

More random stones and the gorgeous hillsides. 

"Wood Henge". Newer structures placed there a millennia after the tombs. Significance is unknown. 

Don and I on top of the larges tomb with the Boyne River visible below. 

Our friends, Carl and Val from Ontario Canada, were also touring with us this day. We really enjoyed their company. We know them from Canadian Seed Growers Association and from International Credit Union Conference!!

New Grange Visitor Centre

Bru na  Boinne (New Grange) Visitor Centre opened in 1997 on the side of the Boyne River overlooking an archaeological area. It contains exhibits that describe the early Celt society who created Neolithic tombs.  Exhibits also explain clothing, homes, food, tools, weapons, solar alignment knowledge and art. A great introduction to the Neolithic culture before actually visiting the sites.