slaw's Monday May 7th, 2012

Departed from Cork, Munster, Ireland on May 7, 2012 8:14pm IST. Arrived at Cork, Munster, Ireland on May 8, 2012 9:01am IST.

Another busy day. But only too full of amazing memories and beautiful photographs. We were up early and back at Avoca weavers to witness the weaving in action. It's pretty amazing. They've been in action since the late 1700s and are even now using machines that are over 110 years old.
Stopped in Kilkenny for lunch and then walked around the corner to view Kilkenny castle grounds. And then it poured rain on us!
The driving is much most comfortable now and the roads weren't as narrow today. Not sure I'll ever get used to just driving by castles, cathedrals, ruins and dolmens. And its barely just begun.
We spent a good chunk of time at St. Patrick's Rock of Cashel. It was built in honor of St. Patrick in the 1200-1300s and housed many kings and bishops over the years. The cathedral is apparently unique and the most precious one in all of Ireland's history due to the fact that it is intact, it's age and that it's built of sandstone (not limestone like the majority of buildings).
Down the hill from the rock if Cashel is an abbey (humorously called Hore Abbey - I don't know who names these things!) which was in ruins but was pretty much tourist free and you could walk around inside. It was lovely and peaceful.
Then it was back on the road to Cork city, Co. Cork for the night. We are staying at a B&B called Killarney house. Unfortunately we didn't get into town until late so weren't able to see much of Cork - plus it's a holiday here today.
All in all we were in 5 different counties today: Wicklow, Carlow, Tipperary, Limerick, and Cork. Pretty sure it will be hard to beat that record.
Oh and I'm trying to post more photos at the request of my mother who was unhappy with my previous lack if photos. Hopefully I achieved better status today.

Cork, Munster, Ireland at 8:07pm IST.