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Northeast of Mitchelstown are a number of caves, but we suppose they will be closed in December, as the other caves we have come across. Now and then a little drizzle falls down, and it is the first rain we experience in Ireland. We had expected it earlier.

Ireland [3]

Elisabeth & Teije
2004-03-06 15:07:07

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Friday, December 20, Mitchelstown - Gorey (Rock of Cashel)

Northeast of Mitchelstown are a number of caves, but we suppose they will be closed in December, as the other caves we have come across. Now and then a little drizzle falls down, and it is the first rain we experience in Ireland. We had expected it earlier.
Through the beautiful Glen of Aherlow we first drive to Tipperary, known from the song (it's a long way to Tipperary), but the town can't impress us. To be honest, I realise only later that we have passed through the town. There are many caves in the hillsides of the Glen and they were once used by Irish who resisted the British rulers.
Soon, we arrive at Cashel where the famous Rock of Cashel rises 60 metres high from the landscape, with on top, of course, a castle. It is an impressive sight and not surprisingly a historical important place: St. Patrick, the patron of Ireland, converted on this spot the first kings (450 AD.) and between 370 and 1100 this place was the seat of the kings of Munster.
We drive around the village and the rock, searching for a good spot to take a picture, when we also see this ruin, of a Dominican Abbey dating from 1243. One of the many abbey-ruins which are spread throughout the country.

Looking from all sides it is clear the rock is the most suitable place for a castle. There is another castle in the town, now a hotel.
Leaving Cashel we want to take a byway to Kilkenny. According to our map it is one road, the R691, but soon we pass places which we can't find on the map. Again, the roadsigns are very unclear, or even missing. Unintentionally, we arrive at Fethard after some time, but we were not aware of that, yet.
But seeing this town rampart and the abbey, we realise we have gone astray, since we just read in our travel guide about such a town: Fethard. Then several things happen at once: we want to take a picture, Teije is looking at the map ...