Kilkenny: the last stop in Ireland

After the great tour on Inishmore (Inis Mór) I headed back to Dublin to meet Travis Elenitsky and have a couple of beers in the "fair city." From there we took the bus next day to Kilkenny (Irish Cill Chainnigh) with no specific plan. Just intending to have a good time.

Gate of the St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh).

Once there we discovered the city's very medieval atmosphere best recognizable in Kilkenny castle, St. Canice's Cathedral, the Rothe House and the Black Abbey.

Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) Castle.

A 12th century castle remodeled in the Victorian time.

The Kilkenny Castle.

Pano of the Kilkenny Castle and its gardens. Oh! and that black point right on the pic is Travis.

But who is Travis?

Travis is originally from California, USA, and has been traveling around the world since Mai/13. I first got to know him through Couchsurfing, when he came Munich in Juli/13 and crashed on my spare mattress for a few nights. A few weeks later he came back to Munich to party on Oktoberfest. After that we ended up meeting again in Ireland, now in Kilkenny, and the next plan is to meet in Nairobi next January, after I move to Kenya.

Kids having fun on the Kilkenny Castle' gardens.

River Nore (Irish An Fheoir) view from Kilkenny Castle.

St. Canice's Cathedral
it has been a site for Christian worship led by St. Canice in the 6th century, the Cathedral was erected in the 13th century.

Graveyard at the St. Canice's Cathedral.

A real medieval feeling through the B&W lenses. I specially like the Irish crosses (Irish cros Cheilteach) with their unique and very characteristic design.

 The St. Canice's Cathedral.

Travis' shadow at the St. Canice's Cathedral.

At the St. Canice's Cathedral.

Kilkenny like all the other Irish cities hat what Ireland's has to offer best, pubs and good bier. On the Parliament Street there a few options, literally, in a row: The Pumhouse, Lohs Restaurant, John Cleere, Brewery Corner and Phelans.

Pubs on the Parliament Street, Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh)

The Rothe House is essential part of the history of Kilkenny. Built in 1594 by John Rothe, the merchant's townhouse consists of three houses with courtyards.

Interior of the Rothe House.

Roof of the first House in the complex of the Rothe House.

Many artifacts of the history of the city are exposed in the museum in the Rothe House.

Passage between the first and the second house.

Well, Kilkenny was the last stop in my round trip in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was definitely a great choice to see some of those countries, to meet my friends, visit incredibly beautiful landscapes and to experience the Irish warmth. I can only recommend! One day, in case Ill be back to Europe, I will definitely come back to the fair city on the island of green.

Hope you enjoyed as much as I did and feel like visit Ireland and Northern Ireland as well.

Cheers peeps!

Of how I met Jeremie and Rita

To get to know new people and make new friends is one of the best things in traveling. People you've never met before but with whom you immediately develop some kind of connection, with whom you feel like sharing experiences, exchanging ideas, getting advises from and even doing some travelling together. It's reassuring!

Rita and Jeremie on the ferry from Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl) to Inishmore (inis Mór).

Recently, while travelling in Ireland and Northern Ireland, I got to know these awesome guys. I met Rita and Jeremie while on my way from Galway to the Aran Islands, in Ireland. I came to the bus stop and ask this young couple if this would be the right bus to reach the ferry to the islands, what they confirm immediately. The guy, Jeremie as I got to know later, sayd he'd go for a coffee and asks me if I would like to have one. Although a bit surprised with the unexpected offer I accepted. He left and I kept talking to the girl, Rita. Once he comes back I had to inquire him why did he offer me the coffee just like, out of nothing, without even knowing me. His answer:

"Many people we don't know do good things to us and we do good things to other people, as well."

Jeremie on the ferry.

That was enough for me to know I'd get along well with those guys. We kept talking in the bus on the way to Rossaveal (Ros an Mhíl) and in the ferry, from there to Inishmore (Irish Inis Mór), the largest of the Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann). Rita, irish, lived for around 10 years in Marseille, France, where she met Jeremie, which is originally from that city.

Rita on the ferry.

I got some hints from them about where to go and what to do on the Island. They told where they came from and how they ended up living in Inishmore for a few months. After I told them I was originally Brazilian, they demonstrated a huge curiosity about the country, specially about they rain forest. So, we got enough stuff to talk about during the journey.

Getting to know Rita and Jeremie on the ferry.

Once we reached the harbor of Inishmore it was time to say goodbye. Jeremie and Rita still invited me to stop by and have a coffee at their place after my cycling tour on the island.

Having an vague idea of were they lived I decided to pass by and have that coffee before leaving. It wasn't easy but I managed to find their house, and for my surprise, such an unexpected place. A one round room stony house, almost disappearing in the middle of the vegetation house and not far away from beach. Awesome!

Rita and Jeremie's house.

After announcing my arrival, Rita and Jeremie, kindly invited me to enter their "living room, kitchen, bedroom and kitchen". We had another nice chat involving the island, the fairies living on the islands and plans for Christmas. Well, I left them with the promise they'd get a postcard from Munich with my address in Africa. Who knows I get a postcard from them once I'm there? or maybe an unexpected visit?

Rita and Jeremie at their house on Inishmore (Inis Mór).

Jeremie "Chapeau" and Rita Marharg it's been a huge pleasure to meet you along the way!

Cheers!

Welcome in Inishmore (Inis Mór), the stony island

The Aran Islands (irish Oileáin Árann) are three small islands located at the west coast of Ireland, in the Atlantic Ocean, more exactly in the bay of Galway, one of the most biggest cities in the country.

Stone walls in the green: the face of Inishmore.

Typical landscape on Inishmore.

In the three islands, Inishmore (irish Inis Mór), Inismaan (irish Inis Meáin) and Inisheer (irish Inis Oírr) live around 1,200 inhabitants, which speaks primarily Gaelic.

View of the west coast of Inishmore with the cliffs and the village Gort na gCapall.

The first thing I did after docking at the harbor of Inishmore was to rent a bike. For 10€/day one can get it and be flexible to move on the island. there many rent-a-bike shops right at the harbor.

My companion on the island.

The stony tracks on Inishmore.

I've been cycling on the island for around 5 hours and could cover at least half of it. Starting uphill to the highest point of the island.

Ruins of a fortress located on the highest point of Inishmore.

Then west along the stone walls till I got to the cliffs.

View from the west coast of the island.

The stony ground of Inishmore.

Down the road on the wets side there is the village Gort na gCapall. All I got to do to get there was to speed up downhill. Awesome! 

Then the way back along the beaches at the east coast. An stop at the seal colony is compulsory. From far the one can observe the lazy buddies either laying at the beach or stretching their heads and tails out of the water.

Beach with seal colony.

 Beach with the seal colony.

The seal colony on Inishmore.

Panorama of the seal colony.

Cycling on Inishmore was such an amazing experience. The landscapes on the island are breathtaking: riding along those stone walls, getting close to the cliffs, speeding up downhill and seeing the seal in the nature for the first time was unique!

Loved Ireland, its people,its landscapes and rainbows. Even considering to live there if I caome back to Europe one day!

Cheers people ... and visit Ireland. It's awesome!

Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair): hold on tight once you're there

Will and I headed to the Cliffs of Moher (irish Aillte an Mhothair) in the county Clare, at the west coast of Ireland after leaving Leitrim.

Cliffs of Moher ( Aillte an Mhothair).

We drove past Galway and headed southwest through the landscape of Burren (irish An Bhoireann) which means "stony place".

Tipycal landscape in Burren (An Bhoireann).

Ruins in the landscape in Burren (An Bhoireann).

Danguire Castle in Kinvara (irish Cinn Mhara), county Galway.

The cliffs of Moher are one of the most famous natural attractions of Ireland. The view from the cliffs is breathtaking.

Clliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair), county Galway.

The entrance fee for adults costs 4€ including the parking. There is a souvenir and a coffee shop on the top of the cliff.

lliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair), county Galway.

They stretch a few kilometers along the coast and reach heights between 120 and 240m.

A great place for kids to play.

On the top of it the wind coming from the Atlantic Ocean gets such a power and speed after hitting the cliffs, that can rips one off of the ground.

Indeed!

One of the most impressive places I've ever been. It's so massive, and strong, and beautiful. It makes one feel somehow small in front of so much "grandness."

Definitely recommended!

Hold on tight everyone!

Cheers!

The awesomeness of Northern Ireland

After Junior left to Dublin my friend Will arrived from England. Next day we started a road trip and headed up north aiming the Giant's Causeway.

Along the way we checked the Downhill House and the Mussenden Temple ant the cliffs close to the city Castlerock, in the county Londonderry.

"A place of an outstanding beauty"

That is one expects to see in Ireland: a great meadow and sheep.

Such an breathtaking view from the cliffs.

 Now to Bushmills and Giant's Causeway.

Cheers peeps!