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Post Info TOPIC: Three weeks.....week two. by Anita


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Three weeks.....week two. by Anita







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(5/3/03 8:08 pm)

Three weeks.....week two.


From the rain in Killarney I head off to Kinsale via train to Cork, then bus to Kinsale. The bus ride to Kinsale was interesting as I sat in the front seat just opposite the driver. He noticed I was a foreiner and decided I needed a history lesson on the early years of the IRA. It was interesting. Kinsale is a very pretty little town, and since I am here before noon I decide I have time to go for a good walk. I walked around one side of the harbour to James fort, it takes about 40 minutes. Once I get there I have the place to myself and take some photos and eat a picnic lunch. The rain has held off and it looks like the sun might come out. The next day turns out to be quite nice, and I wander through the town and visit the small local museum. Lots of naval artifacts here. Then I buy something for lunch and walk out to Charles Fort, opposite from James Fort. Another 40 minute walk, but it's a very nice day. The walking tour of Charles fort is very interesting, and even includes a ghost story. This day turns out to be so hot I actually get a sunburn! I have some great fish and chips in Kinsale for dinner.
From Kinsale I hop back on the bus to Cork, then take another bus to Cashel where I make the short walk up the hill to visit the Rock of Cashel. This is a stunning site, and you can see quite far on a sunny day from up on the hill. I spend about an hour and a half here, then hopped back on a bus to Portloise where I transferred to another bus to Kilkenny. This was the Thursday before easter and the buses were quite busy. I get to Kilkenny late in the afternoon so don't have much time for touring, but had a great pasta dinner in a local pub. The following day, Good Friday, I wander over to the castle only to find it closed. The grounds are quite nice, though, and I take quite a few photos. Later I go over to St. Canices Cathedral and climb the 120 foot tower for and amazing view. I wander through town and also come across St. Frances Abbey, and Black Abbey. Kilkenny is very picturesque, but I never do get to tour inside the castle as it doesn't open until 10:30 the next morning and my train leaves at 11:30. This is the only place I had trouble with on the easter weekend.
From Kilkenny I take the train to Athlone. It is quite busy, and I don't get a seat at first so end up sitting on the floor by the toilet.Athlone is also a very pretty little town, and has its own castle as well. This one is open, and is worth a visit even though it is small. It has a very good audio-visual presentation on the interesting history of the castle. I spend some time at the castle walking the walls, looking in the museum, and taking photos. In town is a pub called Sean's which claims to be the oldest in Ireland. It's very cute inside and well worth a look, especially on a Sunday when there is some very good traditional music. The reason I came to Athlone was to visit Clonmacnoise, one of Ireland's most important monastic sites. It's hard to get to without a car, though, as there is no public transit and the site is about 17 miles out of town. I ended up getting a ride out there with a couple that was staying at the B&B I was at. I had to take a cab back to town, though, and it cost about 15 euros. Clonmacnoise has a fascinating history. There is a tourist information centre right there, and the visitor centre plays a good short film on the history of the site. There is a short walking tour with an entertaining guide, and plenty of celtic crosses to photograph. I would highly recommend a visit here.



Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1461
(5/16/03 11:07 am)

Part Two


Hi Anita,

A sunburn in Ireland--how fortunate. I hope the good weather made up for the rain in Killarney. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

Michele


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