Kilkenny is not just beer! Kilkenny is also a medieval Irish town with a beautiful castle. We have now travelled almost all of Ireland by motorhome. Join us for the final leg, to a fascinating old monastic village and to Northern Ireland's capital Belfast. But first - a visit to a castle in Kilkenny!
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareOur journey around Ireland
We are now back home in Stockholm after a 16-day trip around Ireland. But we haven't had time to tell you everything yet! We try to blog in real time, but over time we inevitably fall behind a bit. Probably because we see and do so much, and simply do not buoyant tell you everything in the evenings ...
On the map image below you can see our journey up to and including Kilkenny. After this we made a stop in a very interesting monastic village, before it was time to return the motorhome to Dublin. But then did we fly home? No, first we took a bus to Belfast for a city holiday. So keep following our blog!
City of Kilkenny
No, Kilkenny is not just a beer, although you might think so. Kilkenny is also a city in Ireland! It has just over 20,000 inhabitants and is both the Anglican and Catholic episcopal seat. This beautiful medieval city is also a popular tourist destination for both Irish and foreigners. We can agree that the city is really nice and charming, even if it was a bit difficult to perceive in it. persistent the pouring rain.
In addition to the impressive St Canice's Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican Priory, you can also enjoy The Smithwicks experience. Smithwicks beer has been brewed here since 1710. When they started exporting beer to the European and Canadian markets, the name 'Kilkenny' was chosen because 'Smithwicks' was difficult to pronounce ... Today, both names refer to two different, but similar, beers. Incidentally, the beer is brewed by the St Francis Abbey Brewery, which is owned by Guinness.
Castles in Kilkenny
In the city there is also a large castle, called Kilkenny Castle. Given the persistent rain, we thought it was a great place to walk around. unnecessarily a castle, and it wasn't a bad idea either! Built by William Marshall (1146-1219), this castle in Kilkenny was the residence of the powerful Butler family for 600 years. Today, the castle is open to visitors, and you can walk around the castle's countless rooms. Learn more at the castle's website!
Tomorrow there will be pictures from a crazy cool monastic village, a "ghost cemetery" and also Ireland's highest waterfall. Then we continue the journey up to Belfast!
Horse riding in Ireland - Irish horses in Kerry
What is it like to ride in Ireland, on Irish horses? We browsed some of the many...
Titanic in Belfast - guide to the Titanic Museum in Belfast
Titanic Belfast, this special Titanic museum in Northern Ireland, won the 2016 award as the world's leading tourist attraction. We can...
Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland - 10 filming locations
Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland that we will take you on. If you've been following our...
North Beach outside Dublin - and Ardgillan Castle
Our first encounter with Ireland featured beautiful beaches at North Beach outside Dublin and a...
East Coast of Northern Ireland - Causeway Coastal Route
What is it like to drive along the east coast of Northern Ireland? And what is it like to drive around the...
Into the fog - around the Irish Dingle Peninsula
Now we've driven around the Dingle peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. And no, we haven't always...
Derry in Ireland - things to see and do
I (Peter) was at a Halloween party in Derry in Ireland (Northern Ireland) which is the coolest thing you can...
Rock of Cashel - The Royal Rock of Cashel in Ireland
The Rock of Cashel, or Cashel of the Kings, is a historic site in County Tipperary on the...
Facts about Ireland - 30 things you (might) not have known
Today, we offer facts about Ireland - 30 things you (maybe) didn't know. Peter...
Irish whiskey - & pubs and beer in Ireland
Irish whiskey is loved by many, as is the culture of pubs and beer in Ireland. We experienced...
Beaches in Northern Ireland - beautiful Atlantic coastline
Northern Ireland doesn't just offer dramatic cliffs, charming roads and sweet lambs. There are also long...
Belfast, Northern Ireland - 10 things to see and do in Belfast
Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland, yet it's not so big that you can easily...
What is it like to travel by motorhome in Ireland?
We recently tried travelling by motorhome in Ireland for two weeks. So, what is...
Halloween in Derry, Ireland - the best Halloween party in the world?
Halloween in Derry, Northern Ireland, offers a Halloween party that may be the best in the world....
The music city of Galway in Ireland and a pub crawl
We've mostly shown beautiful scenery from here in Ireland, but of course Ireland also offers pub life and...
Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland - kissing the Blarney stone
Blarney Castle in Ireland is located just outside the city of Cork. As well as visiting the castle itself and kissing...
The sacred monastic village of Glendalough - and Ireland's highest waterfall
Our last two motorhome excursions in Ireland were to the holy monastic village of Glendalough and to...
Killarney National Park - and the town of Killarney in Ireland
Welcome to Killarney in Ireland! Killarney National Park and the town of Killarney are located in the south-west of...
Dramatic rope bridge in Northern Ireland - Carrick-a-Rede
Yesterday we ventured out onto a swinging rope bridge in Northern Ireland, with dizzying views. Carrick-a-Rede is...
Dramatic Cliffs of Moher - on the west coast of Ireland
If you're travelling along the west coast of Ireland, don't miss the dramatic Cliffs of Moher....
Two caves in Ireland - Europe's largest stalactite
We have visited two caves in Ireland, firstly Aillwee Cave, which was a secret for many...
Parade in Stockholm on St Patrick's Day
This weekend, the Irish holiday of St Patrick's Day was celebrated with a parade, Irish music and lots of...
Visiting Skellig Michael - Star Wars in Ireland
Did you know that several scenes in Star Wars were filmed in Ireland? When we were planning...
Winterfell - visiting Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland
We have continued northwards along the coast of Northern Ireland, past the one view that is more beautiful than...
Giant's Causeway stone formations in Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway stone formations in Northern Ireland are impressive with their hexagonal basalt columns, which are crowded by the thousands on...
Kylemore Abbey in Ireland - a sad story
We have visited Kylemore Abbey in Ireland. This beautiful white building, located on Ireland's...
Ring of Kerry - a classic road trip in Ireland
Everyone we talked to during our road trip in Ireland says the same thing; we have to drive...
You might also like:
Bohus Fortress - the castle that survived 14 sieges
Årsta Castle - with memories of Fredrika Bremer
Eight castles in Östergötland - well worth a visit
Houska Castle in the Czech Republic - over the gateway to hell
Sanspareil rock garden and Zwernitz castle in Bavaria
Visiting Turku Castle - Swedish and Finnish history
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Ditte says:
What an interesting and "green" trip you made and cool to have driven almost all around Ireland. So much to see and experience. Can imagine that you had busy days and did not have time to stay so long at each stop but on the other hand, Ireland is still there.
Great pictures and I have really enjoyed following along.
16 May 2018 - 19:08
Helena says:
Truly an experience to drive around this green island! Yes, we have had quite a full schedule at times. But there have also been days when we have taken it a little slower 😉.
16 May 2018 - 21:25
GeddFish says:
I have followed the Ireland of my dreams. It is not possible to convey everything or take in everything for the uninitiated. I've had glimpses, but every trip is unique.
You have done the best.
16 May 2018 - 20:05
Helena says:
Surely it is difficult to convey everything you experience! We are fantastically happy with this trip 🙂
16 May 2018 - 21:25
Elisabeth says:
Exciting. I'm taking a look back at your journey.
16 May 2018 - 21:14
Helena says:
Nice to be able to contribute with a little review! 🙂
16 May 2018 - 21:26