Waterford via Kells Priory, Jerpoint Abbey, Fethard, Rock of Cashel

Monday, 19 August 2019

We woke at our B and B around 8 AM, got dressed and headed to breakfast.  They offered a full Irish breakfast which Barbra and Tim were more than happy to order.  I ordered a vegetarian version without all the meat.  I actually woke with a bit of a sore throat, so I ordered some herbal tea as well.  They had a lemon-ginger flavor that sounded wonderful.  The breakfast came and it was more than any of us should have eaten, but we managed, which was fine since we have 3 hours and 3 sites to see on our way to our next overnight in Waterford, so a hearty breakfast should get us through the day.

We jumped in the car (me on the right side...crazy), and drove the half-hour to Kells Priory, an isolated, deserted ruin founded in 1193.

Kells Priory was a really beautiful place, especially since there weren't many tourists and wasn't commercialized.  Thank you Rick Steves for the suggestion.

Next stop, Jerpoint Abbey.  another ruin, but this time an abbey founded in 1180, just 13 years before Kells Priory.  This place was founded by Cistercian monks who came to Ireland to reign in the wild Irish Christians.  We arrived there just after a tour had started, so we ran to catch up with the group.  One of the things that make this place a standout is the intricate carvings as can be seen below.  

Our tour guide pointing out carvings.

Cows outside the Abbey

On our way to the next stop, we drove through the town of Fethard and I felt like i needed some cough drops since my throat felt weird.  I saw a pharmacy and pulled into a spot.  After picking out a cough drop, the pharmasist asked where we were from and then told us that a neighbor, Andrew Lloyd Weber, gave them money to fix up their middle ages ruins.  Of course we had to check it out.

A view from the rampart

A view of the countryside from the rampart

What an incredible find during a random stop at a pharmacy!  This is what traveling is all about.

Next stop, more on the tourist trail is the Rock of Cashel.  Rick Steves warned us to visit early or late to avoid the tour buses.  When we arrived at the parking lot, it looked like many of the buses were leaving, so we may have timed it right.  Also, during our drive it poured, but as we approached the "Rock", the rain stopped and the sun came out.

See the photo of the tombstone below?  I really loved the Irish poem on it.
Remember man as you pass by,
You are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you will be,
​Remember man, eternity.

We left the "Rock" and arrived in Waterford around 6 PM.  We easily checked into our AirBnB, went to the Aldi's down the street, and waited for Christine to arrive so we can go out to dinner.  Christine arrived as scheduled, and I decided that I didn't feel well enough to go out, so Barb and Christine went out, and Tim and I walked back to Aldi's to buy something for dinner.  Being that I wasn't feeling well, i went with ramen soup and a frozen pizza.  Tim bought some lamb leg steak and a red pepper to stir-fry.

We made and ate dinner, Barb and Christine returned, and we were all in bed before midnight.  Tomorrow we walk around Waterford and spend another night here, so no big hurry to get up.  Perfect for me since I'm not feeling the best.