Sights to see - Kilkenny to Glendalough, and back

wckc · Guru

Sights to see - Kilkenny to Glendalough, and back

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

What do you want to see? There's at least a week's worth of NIFTY stuff, twixt Kilkenny and Glendalough! biggrin

As you know -- I tend to 'Over Plan' and then 'Tweak' the trip, 'On The Day' -- hmm hmm

I usually OVERLOAD myself with choices -- Partly, I suspect, to JUSTIFY another Trip, but also, to offer up choices, if the weather or time conspire against me! biggrin confuse biggrin

Some suggestions -- Just off the top of my head within the confines of Google Map for 147 mi, 3 hours 29 mins:

Brown's Hill Dolmen - http://www.megalithicireland.com/Brownes%20home.htm

Carlow Castle - http://www.carlowcountymuseum.com/carlow-town/pages/castle.aspx

Castledermot -http://timetravelireland.blogspot.com/2013/02/castledermot-round-tower-and-high.html

Moone High Cross - http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Moone.htm

Old Kilcullen - http://www.culturalheritageireland.ie/index.php/heritage-sites-and-centres/79-old-kilcullen-monastic-site-near-newbridge-co-kildare

Blessington Crosses - http://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=251

Russborough House - http://www.russboroughhouse.ie/

From there, drive along the R758 (Lake/River views) to the R756, through the Wicklow Gap, to Glendalough. Be sure to visit the Upper Lake, as well as the Main Monastic site.

Retrace your path to Hollywood, but then, continue S-SW on the N81.

Athgreaney Stone Circle - https://edmooneyphoto.wordpress.com/tag/athgreaney/

Baltinglass: http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/wicklow/baltinglass/baltinglass.html

See: http://www.megalithicireland.com/ For Round Towers, High Crosses, Castles, Abbeys and Megalithic Sites.

Actually, if you go to the http://www.megalithicireland.com/ website, select the County (Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny) and then select the Google Map link, you will be SPOILT for choice! biggrin

Tell your husband that I apologize for making your trip SO difficult -- BUT

You DID ask! biggrin aww biggrin

Michele Erdvig · Host

I am partial to the very scenic R700, which takes you through the Nore River valley, Jerpoint Abbey, Inistoige (adorable village) with Woodstock Gardens nearby, New Ross (Dunbrody Famine Ship). Then north along the N30 & N11 to Arklow. R747 north through Vale of Avoca, (Meeting of Wates, Avoca Handweavers, Avondale Estate), beautiful drive from Rathdrum to Laragh.

Now that I have written it out it seems like enough for 3 days!

wckc · Guru

Thanks for the suggestions Bob. Keith is happy with them and wondering who might help with the petrol costs!

Okay, I think we have our first full day set:

Leave out of Alcantra B&B in Kilkenny, Carlow Castle, Brownes Hill portal tomb, Castledermot round tower & high crosses, Moone high cross, Old Kilcullen monastic site, Glendalough, Baltinglass abbey, return to Alcantra.

This seems to be a reasonable day to me - driving and sightseeing. Thoughts if this is too much for one fine Friday in Ireland?

Good thing we don't go until September since I have two weeks of planning to do!

-Wendy

-- Edited by wckc on Saturday 3rd of May 2014 07:36:30 PM