Wicklow to Killarney (in blue)

On the road early for a long driving day. We headed southwest and then cut up to Kilkenny where we found a beautiful castle and an even more beautiful city filled with Georgian streets and tudor stone houses. Tiger Woods would be here a few days later to play for the Rider Cup.

The castle was the home of the Butler family, a name deeply imbedded in Irish history. It was handed over to the state in 1967 and has undergone major renovations. We took a guided tour through the interior, which has been restored to a 19th-century condition.

The shopping in Kilkenny was excellent!

For more information on Kilkenny: http://www.kilkennynet.com/

After Kilkenny, we drove south to Waterford. The picture below is looking out over the River Suir and the city. Our only stop here was at the Waterford Crystal Factory, where I was like a kid in a candy store! The selection was incredible. And, they shipped everything we bought home to the States for us. I love that!

Heading west along the coast.

A fuzzy picture of a very nice bridge.

We reached our hotel in Killarney around 7:20 p.m. that night. Cahernane House Hotel dates from 1877 and was the home of the Earls of Pemboke. It was just outside of town, but set well back from the much-traveled road.

Our room was in the newer wing (seen to the left of the picture above).

For more information on Cahernane House Hotel: http://www.cahernane.com

We enjoyed a much-deserved quiet evening tonight!