Kilkenny, Ireland

The shops were so gorgeous!

Our first destination on our Groupon Tour'de Ireland was Kilkenny.  It's located inland centrally and we managed to figure out how to efficiently work the numerous round abouts outside the city and got to our hotel in one piece.  We were so tired because we basically stayed up for over 24 hours and drove straight to our hotel.  We were there by 7AM and asked if there was any room that we could possibly check into at this early hour.  Everything was full, but they generously offered us the wheelchair accessible room as ours for the night.  The hotel staff was excellent and very helpful in orienting us to the city.  We went inside our room an immediately passed out until 3PM.  So we slept through our first day of exploring, but it was worth it.  

That evening we decided to try this restaurant everyone raved about online.  We parked and walked right passed it... thinking we were lost.  But really, it was tucked in a corner and closed.  We were severely underdressed and chilled, but walked the main streets in the dark (its only 5PM, I remind you) to find a cute Italian restaurant with an Early Bird special.  Here we were seated by the street window and enjoyed some of the best Bruschetta we had ever tasted.  Paul was drooling.  We stuffed ourselves with the main course of risotto and salmon and walked the street to find a pub where I could get a beer.  I mispronounced my order and ended up with a Pilsner instead of a Paulander, but it was beer and we were among the local Irish, so I was satisfied. 

The gardens in front of Kilkenny Castle

The next morning, I realized I had left my beloved scarf on the plane.  Yes, Anna, my favorite grey scarf was probably sitting on the plane next to my travel pillow. URHG!  So I was on a mission to find a scarf, and a nice coffee.  We went to a small sandwich shop that was another Trip Advisor favorite to get a coffee and wandered the streets until we found the Kilkenny Castle!  We asked directions only to be embarrassed because it was this MASSIVE stone castle just around the corner hahah, you seriously couldn't miss it.  Classic tourist move.   While waiting for the tour to start we had lunch at this adorable cafe with a little too many pink and purple pillows and hearts all over the place. Despite the decor their tea, sandwiches and breakfasts were very tastey and reasonably priced.

Paul and I went for a stroll in the shops behind the Castle.

We took the tour of the castle which was very interesting, the views and the landscaping of the park on the castle grounds were beautiful.  It was an excellent tour.  After our quick introduction to Kilkenny, we wanted to get on the road to our next desitnation, but stopped at the grocery store for a scarf and some tea biscuits that Paul was on a mission to find.

My handsome tour guide.

Then it was back into the car for another road trip to the Rock of Cashel, navigation courtesy of our Ipad and shear luck...