IRISH TRIPLETS

Friday, August 21, 2009

Random photos

Old water pump across the street from the first cottage we stayed in. Kyle was determined to make it work.

Local cemetery across the street from the water pump. We walked here on our first evening. These were some of the first head stones we saw. Look closely, "Condon" is my Mom's maiden name.

Some of this cemetery was very old.

Ballinure was the village we were in. A gorgeous area of County Tipperary.

This is the hearth stone. We think its a piece of a castle.

Kilkenny Castle

KILKENNY CASTLE stands dramatically on a strategic height that commands a crossing on the River Nore and dominates the 'High Town' of Kilkenny City. Over the eight centuries of its existence, many additions and alterations have been made to the fabric of the building, making Kilkenny Castle today a complex structure of various architectural styles.
The original Anglo-Norman stone castle was built for William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke (c.1146-1219) during the first decade of the thirteenth century. Kilkenny Castle later became the principal Irish residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. The Butler ownership began when James (c.1360-1405), 3rd Earl of Ormond, purchased the castle in c.1391, and lasted until 1967 when Arthur, 6th Marquess of Ormonde (1893-1971), presented it to the people of Kilkenny in return for a token payment of £50.

Kieran liked the playground on the castle grounds best.

Honey, the lawn needs mowing. This lawn went beyond the horizon.

Open Farm

We went to an "Open Farm" where you can feed the animals on a real working farm.

This baby sheep has six horns. Mom had four and Dad had the normal two.

Hungry Babies.

Now they're full and happy.

Darcy's donkey?

Marl Bog-Dundrum Village, Tipperary

The area is a wildlife and wildfowl reserve. Mammals include fallow deer, fox, badger, red squirrel, Irish stoat, otter and mink. There is a great diversity of bird life.
As the name suggests the main soil type is marl and gley over a gravel base.
This was so beautiful and quiet.

This swan followed us around the lake.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cahir Castle

Cahir Castle-This imposing 13th -15th century structure was skilfully designed to be a state of the art defensive castle. Every foot of the rocky island was utilised to such good effect as the to make difficult in places to determine which part of the castle is the main part and which is the living rock from which is seems to grow. Located in the centre of Cahir town, Cahir castle is one of Ireland's largest and best-preserved castles.

The River Suir on one side.

And an honest to goodness moat on the other.

The Swiss Cottage-
Built around 1810 at Kilcommon near the town of Cahir in County Tipperary (Ireland), the Swiss cottage is a fine example of cottage ornée, or ornamental cottage. It was originally part of the estate of Lord and Lady Cahir, and used for entertaining guests.

Inside was beautiful but photos were not allowed. It was only refurbished in 1985. Horses were living in the downstairs before this. It opened to the public in 1989.