Callan - Kilkenny

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We have no internet here in Callan so doing the Blog is being done in Word then copied when I get a connection. We also discovered that our European plug does not work in their sockets and we need it for the phone, the computer, the e-reader, and the camera. What a pain charging things up is – a cord for this, a cord for that. Today we got an Irish plug each so we now have a NZ plug to a European plug to an Irish plug, plugged into each other. For internet we will have to take our computers to somewhere in Callan to get a connection.

Callan is the nearest town about 4 kilometres from the cottage. It is a very old town and celebrated it’s 800^th Anniversary in 2008. It is mainly known for it’s part in religious battles in the past. It seems to me that most troubles both here and in Europe were over religion (Catholic’s were opposed to the Protestants – sacrilege) or territory.

We went to Kilkenny today with Karilyn driving. Lindsay (who also now has Jo’s bugs) can sit back and enjoy the views after weeks of driving. Karilyn is very happy to drive since we are now back on the left hand side of the road. It feels strange after the past few weeks the other side. Neil’s hand is starting to heal and he’s best left not driving.

Kilkenny is a medieval city with history going back to mainly the 1200’s and later. We did the walking tour of the town taking in most places except the Kilkenny Castle which we’ll do another day. We visited church after church (ABC!) but each in their own way was worthwhile. There were superb stained glass windows. We met friendly, chatty, helpful Irish people which was nice. We visited bars, heard music and tasted guiness. We’ll go back to eat out, hear music and visit the castle another day.

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Photos

Matt the Miller Bar
Bar across the bridge of the Nore River

Waving from the top of the tower
Lindsay waving from the top of the 100ft watch tower which is 1000 years old. The tower is next to St Mary's Church