Sunday Breakfast, Mass, and Cahir Castle

---

We had reserved catered breakfast for Sunday morning—John and Teresa, owners, will cater dinner or breakfast if you reserve it in advance. One portion of the group had reserved dinner Saturday evening and all of us had agreed on breakfast Sunday morning. It was excellent—great tea, especially!

To get started on the touring, we went to Cahir, to the Castle, after 11:30 mass—no music, none of this singing and messing about. Good, thoughtful Homily and out of there in 30 minutes. Lovely church, beautiful windows. Mike and I arrived fairly early (faster walk into town than we expected), took a seat and looked at the beautiful surroundings. A few people arrived here and there and about 11:27, with a 'whoosh' (figuratively), the church filled with people.

Drove to the town of Cahir, thinking to see the castle and then head on to Rock of Cashel. Found the Castle, parked in the lot, misread the signs and wandered around the back of the Castle for a while. Actually, was a good view of the protection afforded the Castle by the rocky base. In the pictures of the front, the place looks like something out of Robin Hood! Got in there near the beginning of a guided tour. There were two towers to climb for a heck of a view at the top. Our first spot where the Butlers were thrown out, this time in the 1500s, by Essex. On the river and had a moat of sorts! Had an oublier, dungoen, bathroom 'wing'--the added on full height block with pipes sticking out at each level...

Walked up the hill to the Shamrock Lounge and had fish & chips. And veggies. And carrots. And mashed potatoes. Yummy fish and great carrots. Mike really liked the cabbage & greens he had with his.

Out of energy so we headed back to Bansha; didn't make it to Cashel. Lunch was enough food for the day for Sue!! For Mike, we went to the gas station and he picked out a sandwich which was fresh and good. Should say something about the ‘gas station’. This place put Sheetz to shame—gorgeous pastries and bread, ready made pot pies, lasagna, cottage pie, nice selection of wine and close to the Castle.

Tomorrow, Kilkenny with another couple!

---

Photos

Bansha Castle
view from our room

Bansha Castle
Mike in one of the window seats first thing in the morning.

View from our room
the white peugeot(?) is our rental.

Our view
one of two very large beautiful trees

View of the Castle
can barely see it, but we're almost to the N24

Castle
can see it a bit more here

Bansha Grotto
Originally erected during the Marian Year, has been rededicated since; pleasant little grotto

Bansha Church of the Anunciation
lovely windows!

Cahir Castle
looks like something out of Robin Hood!

Cahir Castle
so idyllic!

Cahir Castle
We (of course) misread some signs and took a tour of the back of the castle first. Followed the kids tree path and really enjoyed the outside of the castle.

Back of the Castle
foreboding!

Cahir
I liked the look of this little door

Cahir Inside
the bathroom tower