Kilkenny to Dublin, Ireland October 5, 2026

Our first stop today was Kilkenny, home to Kilkenny Castle, the best preserved and most impressive castle in Ireland. It's over 800 years old, but has been remodeled numerous times over the centuries. The family lived in it until the 1950s, and then sold it to the historical society for 50 euros to ensure it's preservation.

Castle gardens with beautiful rose bushes

Breakfast room

Prehistoric elk antlers found preserved in a bog

16th century tapestries 

Portrait gallery, incredible hand painted ceiling and parquet floor

Cararra marble fireplace 

Kevin knew he was named after an Irish saint. We found proof in Ireland. 

We arrived in Dublin and stopped in a beautiful walled park in the middle of the city. They had an impressive garden with apple trees trained to grow on trellisses. 

We then did a bus tour of Dublin. It's the largest city and the capital of Ireland.  Pretty much just a big city.

The president of Ireland's residence 

Guinness Brewery 

We had a bit of a disappointment regarding Guinness. Many of us had signed up for an optional evening tour and dinner event for tomorrow night. Some big corporation booked the whole place both nights we're here, and Guinness canceled the tour groups.

We could have still gone on a self guided tour during the day tomorrow, but their actions led us to forget about visiting. 

Former palace is Prime Minister's residence 

I wonder if Kevin's grandmas relatives own this bar??

Beautiful ivy on expensive homes in one of the squares 

Daniel O'Connell was a very important historical political leader in Ireland.  Known as The Liberator, he led Ireland's Catholics to emancipation in 1829. He was the first Catholic in the United Kingdom Parliament. 

This statue is dedicated to him on a street named after him. In a 1916 rebellion, British troops fired on the statue. There are numerous visible bullet holes still in it.

A bullet hole is visible on the left breast of this angel on the statue 

St. Patrick's Cathedral 

Christ Church Dublin 

Jonathan Swift was from Dublin. There is a building with medallions depicting his story, Gulliver's Travels.

In the evening, we went on an optional dinner and Irish show. The dancers, musicians and singers were all top notch, many of them having performed in professional theater.

It was held in the largest thatched roof structure in Europe, and has been in the family for hundreds of years. 

We have a free day on Wednesday in Dublin. There had been a virus going around the bus with coughing and sniffling. We have both been fighting it, so are going to stay in and rest on our off day.

We are now two-thirds of the way through our trip, leaving Ireland on the ferry Wednesday morning and then finishing up in Wales and a bit more of England. 

Our route today.