Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Ireland

One of my favorite parts about my recent trip to Ireland was the history. I don't just mean the story behind the history, but the age itself. America has a lot of history, but we were a country established in 1776. Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195!! Growing up you read fantasy stories about kings and queens in castles, but it's all make believe. No so much in Ireland...they have the real deal.

The first thing you experience when you arrive is just how massive the castle is. These are mansions on steroids! I couldn't even fit the whole castle in a single photo using my cell phone. Entry into the tour is pretty reasonable. I think it was like 6 euros per person. Ireland is nicknamed the "Emerald Isle" and it's not by mistake. The country is the greenest place I have ever seen. It rained and was cloudy pretty much our entire trip, but the green is so vibrant it just pops out at you. In a way it makes up for the lack of sun. You can really see how lush and green it is by the grass and landscape around Kilkenny Castle.

Before we left for Ireland my son, Damian, made me this cool dragon mask. He knew we were going to see some castles and that is where dragons hang out so I had to bring it with. When I showed him this picture he got SOOO excited!

The tour was self guided so we could walk around at our leisure which was nice. They did have employees staked out at different parts to answer questions you may have. One of the bedrooms we visited was completely decked out in an Asian theme. I asked the man stationed in that room what the obsession with Asia was. Apparently a major status symbol of the time was to have things from Asia. It showed that you were wealthy enough to travel to, what was at the time, the best trading country in the world. All the room in the castle were very elaborate and screamed "we are rich, look at us". Here are a few pictures from some of the rooms.

Fancy artisan furniture, crown molding, large fireplaces, artwork on every wall, and even the walls themselves were covered in golden tapestries! The next photo I share goes to show you just how important showing off your wealth was to the people of the time. It is a whole room, about as long as a football field, filled with art and paintings!

There are many castles in Ireland to check out. This was one of two that we got to see. I hope to make a trip there again to see many more! I would definitely recommend taking a castle tour or two if you are ever fortunate enough to travel to this beautiful island country!

Salante!

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