Rock of Cashel

While castles and one year old boys don't always mix,  twelfth and thirteenth century ruins go over quite well! So much exploring to do, surrounded by incredible scenery and history.

On our way to Cashel,  we saw many other ruins. No signs,  no markers,  just part of the landscape. There were trash cans at the end of a driveway near this one. Their everyday view causes this tourist to pull over and grab her camera.

Also, keeping in mind we had a one year old with us, we bought a lot of milk along the way. How adorable is this tiny jug of milk?

Arriving to Cashel we were greeted by this sign. We visited two of these places. One was the very nice latrine!

Looking up at the Rock of Cashel, partly under construction, from the bottom of the hill.

Green and drizzly sign, a sign of what was to come.

 Inside, a replica of St. Patrick's cross. It is believed that St. Patrick was here and converted the King of Munster. Along with some of the other relics that survived throughout time.

I'll let the photos do the talking. Slight drizzle. Cool, but comfortable breeze. I tried to think of all the people who had walked the same paths,  climbed the same steps,  took in the same spectacular view.

There is also a somewhat modern burial ground on the premises. It did not have a morbid feeling,  but a peaceful one. Of course with this scenery,  how could it not?

Aw, my little man. He was happy to run around and explore!

ehh... we will just.. leave this here.

Some renovation/conservation was taking place.

The Round Tower

See all those stone walls in the background? We found out why they're all over the country the next day on the Aran Islands.

Overlooking Cashel, a quaint town with much more to do than we had time for. We did stop and shop at Cashel Woolen Store, where we met some Americans who had moved to Ireland for work. They explained to us that many American companies had offices in Ireland to base their European business.  We chatted with the shop owner Inga, who was such a lovely person. One of the nicest we met along our way.  She suggested  Ladyswell Restaurant for a nice, warm, family friendly place to have lunch... with home made desserts.

That evening we made our way from Cashel to Galway, stopping in Thurles for a map. Again, getting the gps is highly recommended. Once to Galway, we settled in and saw another hotel wedding. The next day we were set to take a ferry ride.