Day 56 – July 14, 2025 – Dublin, Ireland to Kinsale, Ireland
We took a quick walk to Café Nero for a cappuccino and an espresso and then back to the hotel for breakfast. The four of us split all of the breakfast selections so we all were full and ready for the drive to Kinsale, which is a little over a 3-hour drive.
After we finished packing up we walked around a bit more as we had a taxi scheduled to pick us up at 9:30 to take us to the rental car place at the airport. After getting the rental car, which was a Skoda (Czech), John and Vance had to watch a video to figure out how to work the car, lol! John was driving so it took us about 15 minutes before we got out of the parking lot.
Our plan was to stop in Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel ruins. John and I were there before on our cruise last year, but knew that Vance and Michelle would like it, plus it gave us a chance to get out and walk around. Our next stop was in Cahir to visit the castle and then we had lunch at Galtee Inn.
After lunch it was another hour’s drive to Kinsale where we checked in the Desmond House. We met our host, Grainne (pronounced graw + nya), who is absolutely lovely, and got settled into our rooms. We met up for some whiskey tasting and then headed to dinner at Jim Edwards. We were not very hungry after our lunch, so we all shared a bottle of wine and then John and I shared a wonderful beetroot salad and some scallops (OMG, the best ever!)
It was hair day for me, so I headed back to the BNB while the others walked around for a while. We called it a night and look forward to exploring this beautiful little town tomorrow.
Brief history of Rock of Cashel:
The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock, is a spectacular historic site perched on a limestone outcrop in County Tipperary, Ireland. It was once the seat of the Kings of Munster before becoming a major ecclesiastical center in the 12th century.
The site features a stunning collection of medieval buildings, including a round tower (c. 1100), Cormac’s Chapel (a fine example of Romanesque architecture), a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, a tower house, and a high cross cemetery. According to legend, St. Patrick baptized King Aengus here in the 5th century.
Today, the Rock of Cashel stands as a powerful symbol of Ireland’s royal and religious heritage, offering panoramic views and insights into over a thousand years of Irish history.
Brief history of Cahir castle:
Cahir Castle is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved medieval castles. Located on a rocky island in the River Suir in County Tipperary, it was originally built in the 13th century by the Butler family and served as a stronghold for centuries.
The castle features a massive keep, high curtain walls, defensive towers, and moats, all designed to withstand siege. Its strategic location on the river and incorporation of natural rock formations into its defenses made it nearly impregnable in its time.
Today, Cahir Castle is a national monument and a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval military architecture. It includes well-preserved interiors, multimedia exhibits, and a working model of a siege, making it both historically rich and engaging for visitors.
It was also a favorite filming location (Excalibur, The Tudors, The Last Duel), so the place often feels like a ready-made medieval set when you’re walking around inside.
