One Perfect Week in Ireland...Day 3

Because relaxing is for Mexico and making the most out of your day is for Ireland, I would wake myself up ass early on day 3 and eat the earliest breakfast the hotel is willing to serve me. After that, head out on the highway towards Kilkenny. The city is a destination in and of itself and we have a couple stops to make on the way. Here's my travel tip for day 3: buy a couple sandwiches and snacks that will keep in your car. For both stops there will probably be some lag time before the tours start and I can't think of a nicer place to sit and have lunch.

Stop 1: Jerpoint Abbey.

A little under 2 hours away from Dublin, Jerpoint Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian Abbey that is remarkably well preserved. Guess what: free entry/tour with your Heritage card. BOOM. When we went it was mid September and the site was almost deserted, so we were able to get some fantastic pictures. Absolutely take the tour if you are able - I still remember our tour guide clenching her fist when she talked about the cask of fermented grain the monks were given as part of their carb heavy lifestyle. The paleo diet would take centuries to reach them.

Stop 2: Dunmore Cave

This is about a 30 minute drive away from Jerpoint Abbey and another Heritage Card Site (you should be sensing a theme here).

Dunmore is a limestone cave with some interesting rock formations that they believe was used as a hideout for villagers when the Vikings would attack. Apparently, that didn't always work because human remains thought to be asphyxiated villagers were found in this cave system. 

The tour itself was pretty short, I think we probably spent an hour (at most) at this site, but it was almost like an underground, natural abbey, so it offered an interesting counterpoint to Jerpoint. 

Kilkenny is only a 15 minute drive away from the Dunmore cave and if you've started your day early (like I told you to) you should have at least a couple hours in the city before the castle and shops start closing.

Personally, I preferred the grounds of Kilkenny Castle to the interior, but if you want to see the inside it's free with your heritage card.  Something KEWT I noticed were families playing with their little kids on the grounds of the castle. You know I took a picture of it, but I'm scared to post it in case that sort of thing can get me in trouble. 

Here is where I leave you to fly on your own, pretty bird. Walk around the city, go to bed early, stay out late - whatever strikes your fancy. Day 4 isn't an exceptionally long day so if you feel the need to party, tonight might be the night.

Need to get caught up on Day 2? Otherwise, follow along with Day 4!