Kilkenny
Road to Kilkenny
Wow. We really slept in this morning and after having a huge breakfast at our B&B, didn’t get going until 11:30am.
It’s cool and rainy out but that’s ok, we came prepared.
It is a 1.5 hour drive to Kilkenny through quaint small towns of 
stone or stucco houses and kelly green fields dotted with white fluffy sheep. Trees create natural canopies over narrow winding roads that occasionally cross over gently arched stone bridges. Ancient stone churches surrounded by Celtic crosses are numerous along our hilly drive. Click here for a short video of driving an Irish country road.
Kilkenny is a gorgeous medieval city. I can’t wait to explore.
Kilkenny Castle
Our first stop is Kilkenny Castle. Originally a Norman castle which over the centuries has had numerous renovations. We take a guided tour which I highly recommend.
There are a huge pair of antlers from an Irish Elk which became extinct 8,000-10,000 years ago. 
They are placed at the height where they would have been in life. Huge. They were found preserved in a bog 100 years ago.
The Great Hall is also very impressive as is the huge marble hall table which had a secondary use to lay out bodies for their wakes.
Medieval Mile
After the castle we head out into the rain to walk the Medieval Mile from the castle to Canice Cathedral. Although its pouring we are prepared. As they say: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing.”
We check out the medieval Black Abbey and St Canice’s Cathedral built in the 13th century. There were some interesting medieval tombs and beautiful stained glass inside.
The gloomy weather makes it easy to embrace the Halloween spirit. Halloween decor is everywhere and all the blackened stone churches surrounded by ancient headstones adds to the ambience.
Kyteler’s Inn
We finish our tour at Kyteler’s Inn pub, originally owned by Dame Alice Kyteler (born in 1263). There are many mysterious stories about her. She was accused of witchcraft (something to do with three gruesomely murdered husbands) but she escaped to England where she disappeared. In the absence of the accused the locals decided instead to burn at the stake Dame Alices’s maid. Stories of her continue to this day. Click here to read about them.
The pub food and Smithwicks Red Ale are delicious and the atmosphere is perfect for my spooky frame of mind.
Our bed and breakfast (Bridge View B&B) is central to all the main sights. Our hostess greets us with lovely tea and biscuits.
I want to go on a ghost tour tonight but apparently everyone tells us that the one in town has mixed reviews so I think we will wait for the one we have already booked in Dublin.
Costs
Kilkenny Castle tour- 12 Euros per person
Bridge View Bed and Breakfast – $158.00 CAD