Kilkenny.

Thursday through Saturday evening our group went on a trip to Kilkenny! This post has the most pictures yet.

First stop: Jerpoint Abbey

This place had many tombs with ornate carvings. The figures each held a different object to tell who they were.

Cold and wet.

Next stop: Dunbrody Famine Ship. There was a potato famine in Ireland during which time a large proportion of Irish emigrated. This ship we saw was a replica of a ship that took Irish people to North America. 90% of the passengers rode second class and were forced to leave by their tenants.

These bunks were shared by entire families (one to a family). They got one hour total of time on the deck (in the sun) per day.

This is not a real cat.

We each received a different paper and were a different person. (Reminded me of the Holocaust museum)

This is not a real woman. More than a little creepy.

mmm. Their porridge.

 Next stop: Waterford Crystal factory.

Yes, that's 30 thousand euro.

Beautiful.

 Process: wooden casts. That man is blowing into the middle of the crystal as he pushes it down into the cast. Huh?

 These guys have worked here 20+ years. Sharpie marks the cuts. Diamond cutters.

Kilkenny castle at night

 Next day: Kilkenny Castle

This place was furnished INCREDIBLY inside from the Victorian era. No pictures allowed! Silly rule if you ask me.

Next day: Cahir Castle

I loved this one because we got to learn all about the defenses they used...

Arrows shot through the cross; bullets through the holes. A murder hole above through which boiling water would be poured. They would also throw out animal carcasses because they would bloat up and when struck they would burst and spread disease. Disgusting  but very clever.

 This picture doesn't do the skull thing justice. Animal would've been 800-1000 pounds! It was huge. (This one for any men who might look at the blog...) to the right is the toilet. They would use it in groups like maybe 3 at once for security in numbers. We also learned that they hung their laundry above the toilet because the build up of wastes would produce ammonia which would kill the lice and anything else in their clothes. This would've been the first form of dry cleaning... Also sometimes enemies would try to enter the castle by climbing up the toilet.

Katy, me, Selina. Katy and Selina are from Westmont College in CA! They're super sweet. :)

We had a stunning day! I didn't even need a coat for this part. What a blessing!

Next: Rock of Cashel

Legend: The devil was flying over the area and took a bite out of a nearby mountain that has a U shape and dropped here.

 This part was where the archbishop lived from the 15th century on... During a storm one night this chunk fell off.

Thanks, birdie, for your perfect placement!

Hore Abbey. Abandoned. Free to explore on our own. Wow.

A little silliness to end with.

What great fun. What a dream.

Busy week including a final; London this coming weekend; another trip the week following.

No news concerning Turkey yet, unfortunately!

Much love!!!!!