#Kilkenny Castle grounds

[itsokaytobelost]

Join me for a walk around a Castle.

It's the first stop between Dublin and Cork on a 9-day trip around the Emerald Isle. A light sprinkle welcomes you off the coach(bus), though no reason not to venture around and see what is in store.

There is a coffee cart outside the castle, you can't help yourself. The coffee thus far has not disappointed. As you wait for your order you notice the yellow daffodils lining the ground's path.

It is Spring.

You follow the path behind the castle and are met by the River Nore separating the castle and the town. What a sight. The rain trickling into it causes but momentary ripples. Following the path you find yourself on the opposite side from where you entered. A rose garden. Though the roses are not present it's worth capturing this moment and space.

Coffee cup placed gently at your feet, umbrella tucked between your arm and side you snap a few shots of the castle with the fountain center stage. There is no sun in sight, but everything seems brighter.

The rain that had been gentle at first picks up. So with a final glance around the courtyard, you dump your empty coffee cup in the bins outside the gate and jet across the street into the small shops. The ding of the bell paired with the burst of warm air from the heater overhead sends a shiver down your spine. Followed by the sweet “welcome in darling” from the lady behind the counter, it's settling in.

You are in Ireland.

-Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

aza

[createyournight1]

Unforgettable Stag Party in Kilkenny: A Guide to the Ultimate Celebration

Kilkenny, the charming medieval city in Ireland’s heartland, offers an ideal setting for an unforgettable stag party. With its blend of historical allure, vibrant nightlife, and unique activities, Kilkenny promises a celebration that will be etched in memory long after the festivities have ended. Whether you’re organizing a traditional bash or seeking something a bit more unconventional, Kilkenny has something to suit every taste and budget.

Start with a Historical Touch

Kick off your Stag party kilkenny with a dash of history. Kilkenny Castle, a stunning 12th-century fortress, provides a picturesque backdrop for your group. While the castle itself offers guided tours that delve into its rich history, the surrounding gardens and grounds are perfect for a leisurely stroll. Consider a private tour to add a touch of exclusivity to your visit. It’s a great way to bond with your friends while immersing yourselves in the city’s heritage.

Adventure and Activities

For those craving more excitement, Kilkenny does not disappoint. The city and its environs offer a range of adrenaline-pumping activities. Try a round of golf at one of the local courses, such as the Kilkenny Golf Club or Mount Juliet Estate, both of which are renowned for their challenging greens and scenic views.

If you're up for something a bit different, consider adventure sports like paintballing, quad biking, or archery. These activities are perfect for groups and provide ample opportunity for camaraderie and friendly competition.

Gastronomy and Pub Culture

No stag party is complete without great food and drinks, and Kilkenny excels in both. The city boasts a variety of dining options, from traditional Irish pubs to sophisticated restaurants. Start your evening with a hearty meal at one of Kilkenny’s renowned eateries, such as The Left Bank or Ristorante Rinuccini, where you can enjoy everything from classic Irish fare to Italian cuisine.

As night falls, the city’s pub scene comes alive. Kilkenny is famous for its lively and friendly pubs, each with its own unique atmosphere. The Hole in the Wall, a historic pub with a quirky interior, and The Dylan Whiskey Bar, known for its extensive whiskey selection, are must-visits. For those who enjoy live music, The Cat’s Laugh Comedy Club and The Marble City Bar offer fantastic entertainment.

Unique Experiences

Kilkenny also offers some unique experiences that can make your stag party truly memorable. How about a private whiskey tasting session? With Ireland’s rich whiskey heritage, it’s an opportunity to sample some of the best local brews and learn about the distillation process. Several local bars and distilleries offer tailored whiskey tasting experiences for groups.

For something more laid-back, consider a relaxing afternoon at the local spa or a leisurely river cruise. The River Nore, which flows through Kilkenny, offers picturesque views and a tranquil break from the high-energy activities of the day.

Accommodation and Logistics

When it comes to accommodation, Kilkenny offers a range of options to fit various preferences and budgets. From luxurious hotels like the Lyrath Estate to cozy guesthouses and self-catering options, there’s something for everyone. Many places offer group discounts or special packages, so be sure to inquire about those when booking.

Planning a Hen party kilkenny also means considering transportation. The city’s compact size makes it easy to navigate on foot, but if you’re venturing further afield, hiring a minibus or organizing taxis in advance can help keep the group together and ensure everyone’s safety.

[streetsofdublin]

IT WAS THE BASE TO A BANDSTAND ON THE CANAL WALK IN KILKENNY

The base of the bandstand, can be seen beyond the new car park at the foot of the lane between Dukes Meadows and the Castle grounds.

I HAVE TRIED FOR YEARS TO DETERMINE THE PURPOSE OF THIS As well as providing a pleasant promenade close to the city, the Walk was a venue for entertainment provided by local bands, and particularly those of Regiments stationed in the city at different times. The base of the bandstand, can be seen beyond the new car park at the foot of the lane between Dukes Meadows and the Castle grounds.

[gardenerian]

Came across a top 10 list of things to do in Ireland and immediately came here. Do you agree with this list? If not, what are your top 10? 1) Guinness Storehouse, 2) Titanic Belfast, 3) Cliffs of Moher, 4) Blarney Castle & Gardens 5) Temple Bar, 6) Peace Wall & Street Art, 7) Ring of Kerry, 8) Killarney National Park, 9) Dublin Castle, 10) St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Your expert opinion?

you... you had to know i was gonna go overboard with this. you had to know i was gonna take this too far. this here? this here, that happened under that there cut? it's not my fault.

first things first: thoughts on this list and the similar things that i would do instead.

1. guinness storehouse - the top thing on the island of ireland?? did guinness pay for this list? i mean, if you're a super fan, go for it. get your pint of the black stuff, check out the view from the bar. it's neat enough, whatever. i don't even like guinness (whoops).

what would i do instead? go to an actual pub in dublin! get a (much cheaper) pint, listen to some music! or, if you wanna see some action, check out the dingle distillery and take a tour there. get you a whiskey or gin (my fave gin, actually!). dingle distillery is out west in the gaeltacht - an irish speaking area. and it's absolutely beautiful out there.

2. titanic belfast - it's cool enough. i would do this one before doing the guinness tour again. the building is lovely, and the museum is pretty interactive. titanic quarter as an area is pretty neat, a nice place to walk by the water.

what would i do instead? you could definitely do this. but... i would do the ulster museum instead. there's way more to see. there's so much on partition, the troubles - and so much more, like art and archaeology. or city hall. OR the folk park!! which is actually in omagh, so... not close.

3. cliffs of moher - look, yes. it's fucking astounding. if you can get on a boat and see them from the bottom, it's goddamn insane. however. there will be one million other people trying to look at the same view you are, and you will literally never see past them. you will lose your goddamn mind in panic when these people bend over the edge with their selfie sticks. i've been here twice and i'm good to never go again.

what would i do instead? the good thing about ireland is that it's an island. there are cliffs fucking everywhere. check out: kilkee cliff walk, sliabh liag in donegal, loop head in county clare, or mizen head in cork. or like 3945738407 other options!

4. blarney castle - jesus christ. with your limited time on this island, please do not stand in line to kiss this germ infested rock. don't do it. this is the one place on this list i haven't seen and i will not go there. that's all i have to say about that.

what would i do instead? like cliffs, there are a billion fucking castles and big houses. you need to see a holdover from colonialism? sure. i get ya. as for castles: malahide outside of dublin, barryscourt in cork, kilkenny castle, dunluce in antrim. need a big house? LISSADELL HOUSE. one of my favorite tours - the guy ragged on yeats and i wanted to marry him. home of the gore booth sisters with gorgeous grounds and views of the sligo countryside. powerscourt will have a billion people, but the grounds really are beautiful and their cafe had the best chocolate cake i've ever had.

also - see some fucking ancient sites, please. for the love of god. wander around clonmacnoise, glendalough, or newgrange. the hill of tara is older than both stonehenge and the pyramids.

5. temple bar - see blarney castle. don't... don't go here. you wanna get pickpocketed? give it a go. if you're on your way to somewhere else, and you pass by.... sure. take a photo by the red pub and the molly malone statue. then cross the ha'penny bridge and go away. this is like going to nyc and spending the entire time in times sqaure. don't do this to yourself.

what would i do instead? well, if you're looking for things to do at night in dublin.... hmm. see a show at the abbey, walk around college green and check out trinity's campus, then find a couple of pubs AWAY from temple bar for dinner and drinks. or any of the other amazing restaurants in the city. or! omg! go to howth by train. walk by the water!! i had one of the best meals of my life there.

6. peace walls and street art - not sure if this is talking about belfast or derry but. yes. if you're in belfast, see them and then go to derry and see those. and vice versa. absolutely powerful. do this. we took an incredible walking tour in belfast and i was so moved. DO THIS. also see the derry city walls and walk the peace bridge. DERRY! YEAH!

7. ring of kerry - okay... absolutely. ring of kerry is fucking huge though, we spent eight days doing it and it was NOT ENOUGH.

here's what i would prioritize though: if you're there in the summer, the gap of dunloe will have a million people, but it's such a great walk. gorgeous views. go kayaking on kenmare bay! kerry cliffs! killorglin, one of my favorite little towns with the coolest goat story. my selfie with the goat statue is a prized item. but really, just drive around. you'll stumble on amazing coastal views, hikes, towns, and villages. beautiful place.

8. killarney national park - this is in the ring of kerry, so if you're already there, give it a go. it's expansive and has beautiful lakes. torc mountain walk is lovely. the waterfall walk is pretty neat, but always packed. muckross house is fine, but the gardens are really great. don't bother with killarney town, it's a bit too kitschy in my opinion. but there are some nice enough places for meals if ya want.

9. dublin castle - yeah, do it. the OG dubh linn! the museum was BORING to me, but that's just because i already knew what it was about 🥲 but it's a hugely important place in irish history, and it's quite pretty. lots of public art in the gardens.

what would i do instead? if you have to choose a single historical place in dublin... you have to do kilmainham gaol. it's one of the most powerful places i have ever been in my life. my own academic research intersects here, so maybe i'm biased but. the tour was absolutely phenomenal. this is where the prisoners of the 1916 rising were held and where the leaders where executed. their graffiti and art are still on the walls. you go in the yard where they were shot. it's astounding. i cry just thinking about that place. ireland is very concerned with its own history and memory, and kilmainham is a real testament to that. i could talk about it forever.

10. saint patrick's cathedral - sure, like dublin castle. check it out. walk around, see the graves, hear the bells. check out the beautiful interior and stained glass. listen to the choir if you have time! land of saints and scholars - there are tons of lovely churches to see.

what would i do instead? if churches are your thing, go for it. they are worth seeing. but.... i prefer the NATIONAL MUSEUMS BABYYYYY. they! are! free! YEAH. art galleries!!!! natural history!!! archaeology!!! check out them bog bodies!!!!!!!!! or - richmond barracks for some history ORRRRRR the national library, where i spent many, many hours. the reading room is gorgeous. you'll feel very scholarly 😌

so...... you'd have a great time doing all of this. BUT. if i were to plan a trip tomorrow, and could only choose ten places..... here:

1. inishbofin island - yo. do not sleep on this place. bogs! ruins! beaches! music! indian food in a bus! cliffs! sunsets! it might be the perfect place. i left my entire heart here.

2. diamond hill - hill, my absolute ass. i was CLINGING to the side of this fucking mountain. but it was the most beautiful experience. i wept with both fear and joy. cool views of kylemore abbey from the top!

3. dingle peninsula - like the ring of kerry, massive. but worth the beautiful winding drives. ramble up dunmore head, peep some famine houses, venture out to the skelligs (yeah yeah the star wars island), have a pint in my favorite pub in dingle town. i love this place. thought i was gonna die driving connor pass in the rain, but worth the fear.

4. burren national park - THIS PLACE IS A GEOLOGICAL FREAK SHOW AND IT IS AMAZING! holy fuck. it's this absolutely insane ancient limestone landscape with an astounding array of plants. the biodiversity of this place is bonkers. also, fossils! ruins! very cool trails.

5. the aran islands - these are three islands off the galway coast. they that are just. so irish. when you think stereotypical ireland, you are thinking of the aran islands. most people do inis mór, the biggest one, to see dún aonghasa. which, you should. but my favorite is the smallest one, inir oírr. you can bike all over, take a nap on the beach, and see the cliffs of moher looking tiny.

6. limerick city - limerick is a little rougher than other irish cities, less polished and not as commercialized. but that's why i like it! walk around by the river shannon, king john's castle, the hunt museum. and please go out to the university, the grounds are unreal.

7. croagh patrick - the reek! the holy mountain! do you a pilgrimage! so so so steeped in myth and history. then have a beautiful lunch or dinner in westport.

8. kilmainham gaol - you already saw 😭 you have to go 😭

9. sligo - i'll save my yeats rant for another day but even though this place is yEaTs CoUnTrY, i still recommend it. beautiful countryside, rich history. lissadell house!!! benbulbin babyyyy! sheepdogs!!!!!

10. wicklow mountains - mid/southeast of ireland gets forgotten easily but! wicklow is so lush and beautiful. the hikes around lough tay are unbelievable. it's just a really romantic place. i stood right here and felt so powerful.

i left like. all of dublin out of this bc i lived there, and i wouldn't prioritize it now. i could do another billion words on dublin or the other cities like cork/galway/belfast. there is so much there. for me, at least lately, visiting ireland is all about being outside and rambling around in it. the cities/towns/villages are great and the people are even greater, but this is where i would go right away! i would literally parachute into kilmainham and then get airlifted out.

anyways....... oh god. tá brón orm as seo...... 😭

[dweemeister]

NOTE: This is the first (and perhaps only) film released theatrically during the COVID-19 pandemic that I am reviewing – I saw Wolfwalkers at the Vineland Drive-in at the City of Industry, California. Because moviegoing carries risks at this time, please remember to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by your local, regional, and national health officials.

Wolfwalkers (2020)

In interviews prior to and after Wolfwalkers’ release, co-director Tomm Moore has described the film as the last panel of Cartoon Saloon’s Irish folklore triptych. That triptych (an informal trilogy) began with The Secret of Kells (2009) and continued with its centerpiece, Song of the Sea (2014). The global environment for animated cinema has transformed since Kells, and now – unexpectedly – Cartoon Saloon finds itself a hub for not just hand-drawn animation, but animation that rejects the crass commercialism emerging from mainstream animation studios (mostly from the United States). With the triptych completed (as well as 2017’s The Breadwinner), one can trace Cartoon Saloon’s evolution from their beginning to its present artistic maturation. While the film asserts its own uniqueness in the Cartoon Saloon filmography, there are connecting strands – aesthetic, spiritual, thematic – of the studio’s previous features apparent throughout. Upon a week’s reflection, I think Wolfwalkers is the studio’s second-best film, just behind Song of the Sea. Even at second-best, this level of artistry has rarely been seen in this young century.

It is 1650 in Kilkenny. Robyn Goodfellowe (Honor Kneafsey) is an apprentice hunter and only daughter of Bill (Sean Bean). Robyn and her father are expatriates from England, and some of their Irish neighbors will not let them forget that. Oliver Cromwell (Simon McBurney) – referred to as “The Lord Protector” throughout the film – has invaded Ireland and looks to secure his conquest over the Irish people (Cromwell is a despised figure in Ireland and lionized by some in England to this day). On an ill-advised trip outside the walls of Kilkenny, Robyn encounters and eventually befriends Mebh Óg MacTíre (Eva Whittaker in her first film role; pronounced “MABE”), a Wolfwalker. As a Wolfwalker, the animalistic Mebh can leave her physical body and take the shape of a wolf while slumbering. Mebh’s mother – who is also a Wolfwalker – has been missing for sometime while Cromwell has ordered the slaughter of all of Ireland’s wolves. Things are complicated when Bill is tasked by the Lord Protector to destroy the wolves living in the woods surrounding Kilkenny.

From the opening moments, lead background artist Ludovic Gavillet (2016’s The Secret Life of Pets, 2018’s The Grinch) sets the contrast between the scenes within and outside Kilkenny’s walls. Kilkenny is suffocatingly geometric, with squares and rectangles dominating the background and foreground. Backbreaking work defines life in Kilkenny, all devoted to the residents’ English conquerors, God, and the Lord Protector. Rarely does the average city resident venture outside the looming outer medieval walls (there are two sets of walls in the city). The structure of Kilkenny is inconceivably box-shaped when seen from a distance. It appears like a linocut. In that distance are the countryside and the forests. As one ventures further from Cromwell’s castle, expressionist swirls define the foliage that seems to enclose the living figures treading through. Green, brown, and black figures twist impossibly in this lush environment. Seemingly half-drawn or faded figures suggest a depthless, dense forest – similar in function to, but nevertheless distinct from, Tyrus Wong’s background art for Bambi (1942). In both Kilkenny and the forest scenes, selective uses of of CGI animation capture the dynamism of certain action scenes – two running scenes in particular employ these techniques (once in joy, the other in terror).

So often in modern CGI-animated films, the animators seem to grasp for heightened realism and minutiae. In such movies, too many details are packed into frames that can only be appreciated if prodigiously rewatched or paused mid-movie. It might feel like completing a visual checklist. In Wolfwalkers, the half-finished details amid breathtaking backgrounds, angular (or round) humans, and simultaneously threatening and delightful wolves almost seem to announce that, yes, humans drew this – and they did so with such artistic flare. In keeping with the references to triptychs in this review, the film itself sometimes divides the frame into thirds (a top, middle, and bottom or a left, center, and right) or halves in moments of dramatic weight. The thirds or halves are separated by dividing lines and are used for various purposes depending on the moment: to save the filmmakers from making two extra cuts, juxtapose differing if not contradicting perspectives, and intensify the emotions portrayed. Less utilized in this film but even more radical than the aforementioned techniques is the film’s use of shifting aspect ratios. Wolfwalkers is principally in 1.85:1 (the common American widescreen cinematic standard, which is slightly wider than the 16:9 widescreen TV standard), but there are notable moments which temporarily dispense of these standards. Like the division of the screen into thirds or halves, the shifts in screen aspect ratio help the audience focus and understand what is occurring on-screen. The most memorable screen aspect ratio shift appears before an eruption of violence.

The Secret of Kells, too, was set in a city designed in a perfect, orderly shape. That film, like Wolfwalkers, evokes Christianity for narrative purposes. But where Kells celebrated God and found religion as a source of comfort, Wolfwalkers’ depiction of Christianity – specifically, Cromwell’s Anglican zealotry – is without redeeming elements. Under his breath, the Lord Protector prays to God that he will execute any providential commands by any means necessary. In public, he announces his actions as essential to rid Ireland of the lupine paganism that inhabits the wild. Without saying as much, Cromwell’s orders are nevertheless Anglican England imposing its will on Irish Catholics. Irish cinema, until the late 1990s and early 2000s, was usually deferential in its depictions of the clergy and religious practitioners (almost always Catholic). Though it is not unheard of for an Irish film to be critical in portrayals of religious belief, it remains uncommon. And though Cromwell is Anglican and not Catholic (and despite the fact he remains vilified in Ireland), Wolfwalkers’ cynical depiction in how he wields his religiosity as a cudgel is an extraordinary development in Irish cinema.

Tied to the film’s depiction of religiosity are its undercurrents of English colonialism and environmentalism. The latter will be obvious to viewers, but the former might cause confusion during a first viewing because it seems to be, at once, on the periphery and yet central to Wolfwalkers. Cromwell being referred to as “the Lord Protector” for the film’s entirety is indicative of screenwriter Will Collins’ (Song of the Sea) decision not to provide much historical context within the film. English colonial oppression usually occurs off-screen or is implied. This seems inconsistent with Cartoon Saloon’s work on The Breadwinner. That film identifies and openly describes Taliban injustices.

So what gives? As much as those who admire animated film disdain perceptions that it is solely for children (like myself), animated film is oftentimes a gateway for children to be exposed, eventually, to other corners of cinema. Can children understand Anglican-Catholic tensions in Cromwellian Ireland? Perhaps (especially British and Irish children), if presented with enough care. But the answer probably lies with the fact that the thematic goals of Wolfwalkers are more aligned with Kells and Song of the Sea than The Breadwinner. Cartoon Saloon’s Irish folklore triptych is concerned with how the Irish are inextricably, spiritually, bonded to the environment. There is a balance between humanity and nature – a mystical connection that, when disrupted, brings harm to all. The Breadwinner, though very much a part of Cartoon Saloon’s filmography, is grounded in recent history and, because of recent developments in the Taliban’s favor concerning the Afghan peace process, present-day concerns. In the film, fantastical stories are used to bring Parvana’s family together as the Taliban tighten their grip before the American invasion. This has little bearing on the folklore-centric storytelling of Wolfwalkers, but Collins, Moore, and Stewart’s editorial decision to downplay the film’s historical basis tempers any messaging they wished to convey.

Wolfwalkers meets The Breadwinner in its depiction of a young girl growing up in a male-dominated society. This film’s lead was supposed to be a young boy. But the story, to Collins, Moore, and Stewart, just did not click with the original male protagonist. As such, the trio made the decision early in the film’s production to switch the protagonist’s gender. Robyn, an English transplant to Ireland, is allowed remarkable freedom to do whatever she wants with her time in the opening stages of the film. This arrangement cannot persist as her father falls from the Lord Protector’s good graces. She is relegated to washing dishes from daybreak to dusk in the scullery – a task that she, in her heart, rejects for its gendered connotations. Robyn wears a Puritan’s frock while at the scullery, a uniform she has no desire for. While outdoors beyond the Kilkenny walls, she wears what her father wears – pants! – while out hunting wolves. Other than her father, few in the city care for Robyn’s intelligence and instincts. Most everybody ignores her protestations and truth-telling about the things she has seen in the forest. By film’s end, she is vindicated, in spite of Cromwell’s (and, to a lesser extent, her father’s) bluster and bravado.

This film also contains potentially queer subtext between Robyn and Mebh. Writers more skilled than I will provide better analysis of that subtext. Nothing explicit is shown, as the two are still children. Yet the nature of their friendship, the themes contained in Wolfwalkers, and some unspoken moments between Robyn and Mebh seem to relate a possible queerness. The film also does nothing to present either girl as heterosexual. Queer or not, Wolfwalkers shows the viewer a blossoming friendship between two girls – not without its tribulations, but rooted in their common earnestness.

Unlike previous films in Cartoon Saloon’s Irish folklore triptych, there are no notable original songs in Wolfwalkers. French composer Bruno Coulais and Irish folk music group Kíla are Cartoon Saloon regulars and return for Wolfwalkers. The musical ideas for Wolfwalkers’ score are not as apparent as the previous films in the triptych, as they are not quoting a song composed for the film. But the use of Irish instruments in their collaboration lends at atmospheric authenticity that only heaps upon the film’s sterling animation. Norwegian pop sensation AURORA has altered the lyrics and orchestration to her 2015 single “Running with the Wolves” to accompany a running scene that, by the filmmakers’ admission, was inspired by the running scene from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013, Japan). The scene pales in comparison to the context and music from the late Isao Takahata’s final film, but Wolfwalkers is a movie more than the sum of its parts.

Production on Wolfwalkers was in its final stages as the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Republic of Ireland. When the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced a countrywide lockdown on March 12, 2020, Cartoon Saloon had already started preparing for a lockdown contingency three weeks’ prior. Clean-up was divided between Luxembourg-based Mélusine Productions and Cartoon Saloon’s headquarters in Kilkenny. After assessing the needs of the clean-up animators, both studios moved to remote work where the most pressing complication was their Internet bandwidth slowing down upload speeds.

Cartoon Saloon’s Irish folklore triptych is finished. In the last eleven years, the studio has proven itself one of the most interesting and important animation studios currently working. They have even proven they can make quality films without its primary director, as evidenced by Nora Twomey’s The Breadwinner (Twomey’s next project for Cartoon Saloon is My Father’s Dragon, slated for a 2021 release). Though just an indie studio with limited resources, their standing in animated cinema has only strengthened with this, their most ambitious film to date. It might seem like a rehash of the animation from Kells, but Wolfwalkers has improved upon its predecessor, and boasts perhaps the most beautiful artwork of any animated movie released this year. The film’s grandeur belongs on a movie screen, but, understandably, very few will have the opportunity to experience it in such an environment. This latest, ageless triumph will outlast these extraordinary times.

My rating: 8.5/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found in the “Ratings system” page on my blog (as of July 1, 2020, tumblr is not permitting certain posts with links to appear on tag pages, so I cannot provide the URL).

For more of my reviews tagged “My Movie Odyssey”, check out the tag of the same name on my blog.

[cleereview]

Accessibility.

Accessibility is an everyday struggle for me and the wider disabled community of pretty much everywhere and anywhere!

From accessing a nice shirt with lots of buttons to accessing a DJ stage!!!

Hi, I’m Eamon but you can call me Amos 🎧😀 I have a disability called Arthrogryposis since birth, back in the 80’s sometime lol😂

I am a part time DJ and I work as a traffic monitor with Kilkenny County Council.

The main role in my job is to monitor all disabled parking spaces and making sure that they are vacant JUST for disabled people and or disabled passengers.

In this day and age, 80 to 90 percent of buildings should be accessible but only with the historical exception like my city of Kilkenny, Ireland which was founded in the 6th century!

Kilkenny City has its own fully built castle and adjoining grounds since 1195 and some lovely medieval buildings also around the City.

I have never been inside the castle because of its inaccessibility but now up to recently in 2020, I have read that the castle will finally be fully accessible to all because of local funding...........Finally I can be the King of the Castle! 😀👌🏼

Also,

transport services, mobile phones, tv’s and gaming consoles should be accessible to all who love to travel, chat, stream and play with friends online but cannot see the real enjoyment like others can!

So, as you have just read, my main goal for blogging is to have a voice for the disabled world and to hopefully Improve Accessibility!

[lacrimis]

St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny - Ireland

Three Earl of Ormonds are buried in the grounds of Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny, just down the road from their family base in Kilkenny Castle. The small graveyard surrounds the huge Cathedral and Round Tower that sit atop the hill, looking down over the city. There is also a group of memorial stones dedicated to the Smithwick family, who started the historic brewery that made its famous stout a short walk away.

[dybdahltravels2022]

Kilkenny

Our adventures continue with cathedrals and churches and castles. ABC - Another Bloody C, C, C.!! Below is Kilkenny Castle. We discovered that in Ireland if a word begins with "kil" - it means "church." Who knew? Back to the Castle...

The Butler family built and owned this castle for decades until it sold it to the city for 50 pounds in the 1930s. Why? - you asked. Politics, my firends.

The original castle was built in1 195 to control a fording-point of the River Nore. It was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defence of the town with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today.

The Castle became the seat to a very powerful family, the Butlers of Ormonde. The Butler family (who changed their name from FitzWalter in 1185) arrived in Ireland with the Norman invasion. The family had become wealthy and James bought Kilkenny Castle in 1391 and established himself as ruler of the area. The Butler dynasty then ruled the surrounding area for centuries.

For me, the only connection of significance is that the paternal grandmother of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England was Lady Margaret Butler.

First their last name wasn't really Butler - BUT the man who first built this castle had been the personal Butler to some big king in the past - I can't remember who - but as a reward for this service, the new King (son of King Whoever) rewarded the devoted butler with land, money and a title. Ta-Da!!! Instant rich guy!

As a loyal subject of whatever King was on the English throne, the Butlers were safe and privileged although after King Henry VIII had Anne Boleyn beheaded, one would think the Butler's might be a little put off - but nope! After poor Anne bit it - lots of stuff happened including war after war to put the Irish in their place and although generations and generations passed the Butlers were most definitely NOT Irish - they were English and Protestant and getting richer by the day.

Fast forward to 1922 and the birth of the Republic of Ireland. Uh-oh! The family began to feel like persona non-grata. The new country expected them to pay taxes and treat their Irish tenants and employees fairly and that wasn't going to add to their wealth - so they held an auction, emptied as much of their stuff as they could and walked away.

In 1967 the castle was in back shape and the deal to transfer ownership was struck. The property was transferred to the people of Kilkenny in 1967 for £50 and the castle and grounds are now managed by the Office of Public Works. The restrictions for the £50 deal included that the city would take on the upkeep, make the place open to the public and never use of the any of the grounds of a "car park." Soon the city figured out that this was an albatross around their neck but the Office of Public Works took over and now we get to tour the place - for a fee.

Interestingly, much of the items sold at auction have been recovered or donated tback o the site. The art - much of it portraits of the Butlers over the ages - were just left on the walls of the castle. Who would want them, anyway - unless you were a Butler?!?!

Now the place represents several eras with medieval stone passages leading to rooms updated to the 1920s - kinda' Downton Abbey like.

Apparently there used to be hunting trophies in the formal dining room - but they are gone. Instead hangs a fossilize head of some kind of moose of times gone by found in a bog. OMG!

Today the place is used for meetings, weddings, art exhibits and any other celebratory event. While we were there there was an exhibit of recently created needlework history. I was intrigued especially since we had just seen the big needlework project in Fishguard - so in I went.

I didn't have much time - so I confess to not really caring about the story these huge works of art were telling - but much more involved in the needle work itself. I used to do crewel embroidery and loved the art so it was fun to me to just enjoy the art of the work. AMAZING!!!

Being in Kilkenny reminded us of a limerick we used to know so we looked it up:

We did encounter a little bit of rain in Kilkenny- so we found a pub.

We returned back to Wexford and explored the city until it started to rain - and then we found a pub there.

What was not to like? We had football (soccer )on the tele and then some music.

Life is good. Tomorrow we head to Dublin.

Stay tuned.

[irishwolfer-blog]

Tonight's footbike excercise was to prepare the Wolfer for tomorrow evening's Kilkenny Castle to Castle cycle event. For the past 12 months I've been running on oversized endurance tyres. I've decided that for tomorrow and in preparation for the Footbike world championships in 5 weeks time that I should switch to slick racing tyres to lower the rolling resistance of the wheels. In addition to fitting the Wolfer with faster tyres I've also put the footplate on the lower setting, effectively dropping the ride height by about an inch which in turn allows me to put more power down with each kick. There is a trade off with the two changes I've made, unlike the endurance tyres the slicks aren't puncture proof and lowering the footplate significantly increases the chances of grounding. With the changes made I'm hoping to cover the 40km course in under 2 hours.

[southeastdaysout]

Kilkenny Castle

I remember the day I have visited Kilkenny Castle. I was on a trip with my class in Kilkenny. It was a very cold and rainy day. We met in the morning in front of the castle and when we entered the lobby area, we met our guide, who presented herself and started to tell us more about the history of the castle. I remember I was fascinated about the story and I wanted to hear more about the Butler family. She said that the castle was built at the end of 12th century, but it was sold to the Butler family in 1391. It was sold to Castle Restoration Committee in 1967 by the 24th Earl of Ormonde, Arthur Butler. The guide told us how people lived in that times, that they had a lot of servants and despite the fact they had a fire place in every room of the castle, it was very hard to maintain the heat because of the stone walls. Because of the cold, lung diseases were frequent, and people used to sleep in small beds with a lot of pillows, because it helped them breath better when the lungs were affected. And the beds in the castle were really small and I remember when the guide told us that people who used to live in that days were really short. The children in the family were all the time minded by servants, which I think is very sad, because they never had the chance to spend enough time with their parents. And women and men were not equal, for example it was a room in the castle where men retired after dinner, to drink a brandy and discuss important matters, and women were not allowed to enter this room. All the rooms of the castle were very impressive, but I especially liked the gallery room, with its high ceiling and portraits of the family members. At the end of our visit, we enjoyed a tea and a cake in the ground floor cafe, and we took a long walk in the beautiful park which surrounds the castle. If you visit Kilkenny City, you really must visit Kilkenny castle, it is a experience you will never forget!

[travelswithsilacel]

Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle in Ireland is definitely worth a visit. We stayed overnight in Kilkenny and enjoyed the town a lot. Kilkenny a medieval castle, redone inside in Victorian times, and so looks like a great house inside more than like a castle. There are lovely grounds and some shopping across the street for Irish crafts. Check out Kyteler’s Inn for a meal and stroll the Medieval Mile.

When you…

[germanlander]

Kilkenny Castle and Castle Grounds

And I came to Ireland to avoid snow. Worked out perfectly. Btw, clearing roads, streets and especially sidewalks doesn’t seem to be a thing over here. Not even the steps in the rose garden of the castle which don’t have a handrail. Tread carefully, American tourists!

[streetsofdublin]

I HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT THIS IS NOT CROW'S WELL

This well is located on the Canal Walk on the bank of the River Nore. In 2018 a dog-walker told me that it is known as "Crow's Well" but at the time I believed that she may have been incorrect as my understanding is that Crow's Well Lock is at Fennessey's

[martinshannon]

Kilkenny Castle,the back ground for a Level 1 Pranic Healing Course in Kilkenny Tomorrow. #selfdevelopment #pranichealinguk #mcks #pranichealinginireland https://www.instagram.com/p/B7b9HmsAha9/?igshid=8b3l9doys72y

[lynnebarbara]

My favourite part of Kilkenny Castle: the grounds.

[theeasdaleblr-blog]

Planning a visit to Ireland with the kids? Chances are your itinerary will include stops at some of the most popular attractions, like Blarney Castle. While your experience will undoubtedly be tons of fun—-what kid doesn’t want permission to hang upside down somewhat precariously?—the fact is, your photos will probably look astonishingly similar to those taken by a plethora of other families hashtagging there. So what’s the key to capturing truly unique travel footage and creating unforgettable moments you’ll cherish forever? Making your way off the beaten path to lesser-known locations based on shared interests and passions.

  The Irish countryside is just the place for the animal lovers in your crew. Though there are many places to explore falconry in Ireland, there’s none quite like the National Bird of Prey Centre in Blessington, County Wicklow. Here you can meet over 40 different birds including Ireland’s own Golden Eagle. End your tour by holding hand-reared owls or a Harris Hawk while snapping away enough photos to last a lifetime.

Perhaps marine life is more to your liking? In that case, book a tour to meet Fungie the Dolphin, who has been cheerfully greeting visitors to Dingle, in the County Kerry, since 1983. He’s such a local legend there’s even a statue of him in town!

Is your family the type that runs a 5k together for fun on holidays? Ireland is the perfect place to get your sporty spice on. You might even be surprised to hear the coast here is becoming known as a great surfing destination. Sligo is a particularly good spot if you’re dealing with a wide range of abilities, as it has waves for beginners and experts alike. There are even surf schools offering classes specifically for girls and women.

If you have a need for speed, be sure to make a stop at one of Ireland’s thrilling zip lines. A relative newcomer to the game is Castlecomer Discovery Park in Kilkenny, featuring the country’s longest over-water zipline at 300 meters long and 30 meters high.

Or maybe you’re looking to reach new heights as a family. If so, a visit to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is in order. Built 1755 by salmon fisherman, the bridge is suspended 100 feet over the ocean. It’s high enough to satisfy even the biggest adrenalin junkie.

Have children who dream of a career in pro sports? Give them a taste of the fame with a tour of Croke Park, home to traditional Gaelic games. Accommodating over 80,000 fans, it is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Learn the history of Irish football, hurling, and walk the pitch and through the players’ tunnel here. Just think of all the photo ops!

  Natural wonders are some of our best teachers (and also the best places to take pics). Your family will be blown away by The Burren, vast limestone fields located in County Clare that make it feel like you might just be walking on the moon. More than 80 tombs scatter the area, some dating all the way back to the Mesolithic Era. The most famous of these is the Poulnabrone, a gravity-defying stack of enormous rock slabs dated over 5,800 years old. The epitome of cool? We think so.

Also in County Clare, buried deep below the earth, you’ll find the Aillwee Cave. Stalactites and stalagmites plus one thundering waterfall and another frozen one make this dark destination a great place to explore. Calcite samples from here have been dated as far back as 350,000 years. Say what?

Big imaginations demand over- (and under-) sized activities. For the dreamers of the family, be sure to make a pit stop at Tara’s Place. Here, incredibly detailed miniature rooms reign supreme. The 22 rooms on display took over 20 years to make, with many of the pieces carved from bone by Napoleonic prisoners of war.

Along the same small lines, be sure to go on a fairy walk while in Ireland. Trying to find the diminutive sprites that fill Irish folklore is an incredible flight of fancy for the young and old alike. Erica’s Fairy Forest in Cootehill is particularly charming and has an origin story that will choke everyone up, but you’ll find similar spots to enjoy throughout the countryside.

Want to go big before you go home? The Giant’s Lair and Adventure Park at the Ring of Guillion is the place to be. Just imagine how many likes you’ll rack up with pictures of your “tiny” family next to the enormous giant’s table and chair found there.

Want to give your kids a bit of a history lesson while having fun at the same time? Ireland offers a wide variety of places that fit the bill. In Dublin, be sure to schedule some time at Dublinia, which recreates life as it was here in Medieval and Viking times. Their interactive recreations tend to really capture young minds.

In the county, Wexford, pay a visit to the Dunbrody Famine Ship. An authentic replica of a 1800s boat, costumed performers demonstrate what the Irish emigrant experience was like during the difficult times in Ireland. It will make everyone complain less about travel times and a crowded car, that’s for sure.

Or for the ultimate chills and thrills, take a tour of Loftus Hall. This now-abandoned estate is said to be the most haunted place in all of Ireland. Legend has it the devil himself roams the grounds here. Freaky!

By tailoring your Ireland vacation to your family’s shared interests, you’ll be sure to make it the best trip yet. Your kids will thank you for scouting out all the coolest spots in the country. Bonus points:  Everyone back home will be amazed at what a savvy digital traveler you are.

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