Sites around Kilkenny!

Today (Sept 27) we will be taking a guided Tour around Kilkenny Castle.  It was originally built around 1192 and restored in the 1830's.  It contains many beautiful paintings and furniture.




http://www.kilkennytourism.ie/

After the tour we'll stop (& shop!) at the Kilkenny Design Centre.  The Design Centre is in the former Castle Stables!  Its also the home of the
Crafts Council of Ireland.




The remainder of the day is free for us to do whatever we'd like.

Since we don't have planned dinner arrangements we are free to explore the many Pubs & Restaurants Kilkenny has to offer....so if any one has any suggestions please share!!!

Some Pubs

4 months and counting!!

There's only 4 more months to go before our Trip!! It seems like a long time but with the Summer months approaching time will fly by (or so I hope).

I better get a move on...there is still a bunch of things I need to do....I need to figure out what to bring, what clothes I need, get a good pair of walking shoes, etc!  I do have my new luggage set...I'm hoping the 25" and 21" carry-on will be good enough.  Its not my "going" that concerns me its my "return" that does...I would like to shop and I don't want to run out of space....It would be awesome if the shops will mail back to the states for me and it doesn't cost a fortune!  The other good thing about that is that I can send home gifts and it doesnt count towards my $800 customs allotment!!  So keep your fingers crossed that I get Lucky!

On a slightly different note...I just got back two of my quilts that I sent to Ms Della to quilt up fancy for me.  The Pink, White & Black one was originally going to be a High School Graduation present for my daughter...

 
But since 2009 has come and gone it may be her 2011 Birthday Present (I still have to add the binding!)  The inside joke on Cathy's quilt was that I was finishing it up when I found out about the Trip to Ireland.....so the design is Shamrocks and the backing Thread is "Green"!

The other quilt Ms Della did was my "Hunter's Star".  This was pretty much the only quilt class I took where the fabric was from my "Stash". It turned out nice so it needed to be quilted professionally. 


 

The pattern we selected was "Rosebuds" since they were also in the fabric. 

I love my quilts!!

Check is in the mail!!!

Well almost...it's sitting in my purse!! Hopefully I'll get to mail the final payment for the trip this weekend!!

Margaret sent us the official balance letter!  She's going to plan a little gathering sometime in August so she can pass out some goodies!  I'm so hoping it's on a weekend so I can make it!  Living a couple of hours away on the otherside of the Bay Bridge gets in the way of my fun! 

Until then....

Another fun filled day ahead!!

There's going to be a lot to see today (Sept 26) so I  hope the camera is fully charged!

After leaving Blarney Castle (or possibly before) we'll also visit Blarney Wollen Mills...Built in 1824, Blarney Woollen Mills was originally known as Mahony's Mills and provided valuable employment to the people of Blarney and surrounding areas. It was a water powered mill and it produced tweeds and woollens for the home and export markets.  There are stores thoughout the island but the flagship store is located here.

After leaving Blarney we'll continue on to Cashel...here we'll see the majestic church ruins overlooking the surrounding countryside.  We'll stop and take pictures of the "Rock of Cashel" .  (http://www.cashel.ie/tourism.php?sect=Rock%20Of%20Cashel)

 One of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Ireland and one of the most visited. Cashel’s rich history is reflected in its built heritage, from prehistoric raths to mediaeval monasteries.

After leaving Cashel we'll head towards Holycross and Farney Castle.  Here we'll meet with designer Cyril Cullen.  Farney Castle is both his home and design studio.

After visiting with Cyril we'll head Kilkenny. 

Here we can relax or take a stroll before dining at the Rivercourt Hotel (http://www.rivercourthotel.com/).

That aint no Blarney!

Birth of the Blarney

 In 1602, Cormac Teige MacCarthy, Lord of Blarney was under considerable pressure from Queen Elizabeth and Sir George Carew, her Deputy in Cork. Carew suspected MacCarthy of plotting against the Queen and wanted him to swear allegiance and hand over legal tenure of his lands.

Every demand of the English Queen was met with protestations of undying loyalty, flattering references and suggestions that he "seemed very inclinable to the notion". Nothing, however, was actually moving forward and Carew complained of his "fair words and soft speech". On the receipt of yet another MacCarthy letter, Queen Elizabeth exclaimed,"This is all Blarney; what he says he never means!"
And so the word slipped into the English language and the rest is history...

So, did you figure out where our next stop was going to be? 
After leaving Killarney we'll enjoy a drive through the rich farming country of Cork.  We'll stop at Blarney Castle where we can climb the battlements and kiss the "stone of  eloquence".