Day 4, Kilkenny

Visiting Kilkenny castle was particularly exciting for me because it was the first thing we saw when we entered the village; not to mention the first castle I have laid eyes on. On our first night in Kilkenny we walked down the parade towards the restaurants 7 pubs in town. We glimpsed the castle over the walls and suspected that it must be where we were headed the next day. Across from a stored called the luck of the Irish carrying fine clothing and accessories, the castle leered over the town making the trees and cars look tiny in comparison.

The next day (the day we went to the castle) I was late to catch up with the class who were standing on the green waiting for the tour to begin. I caught a few shots with my camera of people standing at the doors before we headed to a short film of the history of the castle. Particularly amazing facts stand out in my mind, like for example it was sold to a restoration company in Kilkenny for a mere 50 pounds in the 80’s.

The restoration of the castle was little by little, and the castle seemed empty for its capacity since all of its bounty had been auctioned off by the Butler family in the 30’s. What was left in the castle was quite amazing, especially chairs of leather mahogany and brass7 Chinese hand painted wallpaper in the woman’s withdrawing room.

Portraits of the family were maintained and positioned throughout the castle, but were most prominent in one hallway. They depicted a personality you wouldn’t see by simply reading about the ancestry. Portraits of Elizabeth Butler & other woman attached to the family through marriage where quite breathtaking.

The ceiling of the hallway was burned with images of natural life while the rafters were painted with images of beautiful Irish women (a symbol of Ireland) and different animal heads reminiscing of Norse mastheads to symbolize the crests of different royal families.

Later over dinner in Kilkenny a man who worked at Kytelers Pub told us that even though the castle is now owned by the town the Butler Family would visit the castle yearly as a sort of family reunion. So the traditions of the castle still go on in despite its changes in appearance.

Abby V.D.N.

Veneda and Jesse S. solemnly taking in the history surrounding them at the old cemetary and stone tower on our walk through Castle Woods. The trail felt like Vermont at first. There were amazing trees, ruins of a stable, field with beautiful horses, and wildflowers. Oh I cannot forget the buzz in the air of the far off bees. We never came across the hive, thank goodness.

Carole L.

This was a cross in the cemetary at the Hill of Tara. It was so magnificent!

Carole L.

Cliffs of Moher

While looking out over the cliffs, I realize I am actually in Ireland. It sank in right here while a woman played the harp and sang on the steps. It was so surreal.

Carole L.

This is Fungi, the resident dolphin of The Dingle Bay.

Carole L.

My after thoughts of my dream come true

This was an amazing experience for me that would not have been possible if not for CCV. I enjoyed meeting and spending time with all of my classmates in Ireland.

Some of my highlights would have to be: The Cliffs of Moher, The Great Blasket Island, The Hill of Tara, Newgrange, Tour by Colm of Fethard, The Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin, and getting to know my new friends and fellow students.

I will never forget the memories I now have. We are all so close that we plan on getting together this summer. We also know that one of the traditional pub bands will be playing in New York sometime in August and we are planning on getting together then and going to see them. I now have added to my family.

The relationships we have all developed surprised us all. Ireland is truly magical in so many ways. We are living proof. This trip has created a bond between us all.

Carole L.

Day 6 - Moone High Cross

One of the stops we made on our tour of Ireland was to look at a Celtic Cross, or High Cross as they are sometimes called. These crosses were used in medieval times as a meeting place for religious purposes and/or as a way to mark boundaries. For more detailed information about what the symbols mean on this particular cross follow this link:

http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Moone.htm



I enjoyed this stop for another reason though. There was a cemetery next to the cross and while walking through it I stumbled upon a grave stone that might be an ancestor of mine. My Grandmothers Maiden name is Kelly. My Grandmother is not too sure of the dates but her mother and aunts and uncles came over to America sometime in the 1800's. The Grave stone that I found reads:

"Erected by Micheal Kelly Late of Clongh in the Parish of Balungla and now in America in memory of his beloved wife Ellen Kelly who departed this life on the 3rd of November 1857aged 47 yrs. Also his son James died June the 6th 1859 aged 17yrs. "




Kelly C.