We started out the morning with another terrific breakfast, thanks to Mairead. We had eggs, bacon (more like ham here), smoked salmon, a fresh fruit cocktail, scones, and brown Irish soda bread.
After breakfast we headed up to Dunmore Caves, just north of Kilkenny. It's about 150 ft deep (350 steps!), but has some interesting history and archeological significance. In this picture, you can see some of the joints between the sheets of limestone.
Here's the stalactite formation they call The Buffalo...
After that, we stopped for a quick lunch in Kilkenny before driving down to Jerpoint Abbey. The Abbey was constructed in 1180 by Cistercian monks under the direction of Donogh O'Donoghoe Mac Gilla Patraic. It contains both Gothic and Romanesque architecture, being constructed near the transition in time between these two styles. You can see both here:
The abbey is well known for the detail in the carvings on the columns of the arcade around the cloister,
and also for the detailed carvings on the tomb of Bishop O'Dulaney.
On our way back to Kilkenny, we stopped to see Kells Priory. The Augustine priory was originally founded in 1193, but was attacked and burned three times between 1252 and 1327. It's believed the walls and fortifications of the outer enclosure were added as a consequence of this. The tower houses and walls of the enclosure give it the appearance of a medieval fort.
After our visit here, we returned to Kyteler's Inn for dinner, accompanied by a live band. At the end of the day, it's hard to beat a plate of bangers and mash, a pint of Smithwick's, and traditional Irish music.
Tomorrow we're headed west to County Tipperary!
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