Ireland-2019 (Dublin to Kinsale)

Dublin won last night, and our tour guide is not happy.  Dublin has won 5 times in a row, and the rest of Ireland is getting tired of it.  The Irish like their football.  Anyway, we are on our way to Kinsale, with stops at Kilmainham Gaol and Rock of Cashel.

Kilmainham Gaol, as you can see, is a jail, which is exactly how jail is spelled in Ireland.  We are having a tough time understanding and pronouncing some of the words.  The gaol(jail) is notorious in Irish history.  Having been built in 1787, it has been witness to many execution by both the British and more recently during the civil wars.
  

Ireland uses both Gaelic and English on their road signs.

Our last stop before Kinsale was Rock of Cashel.  Started in the 5th century for the King of Munster, who was later converted by St. Patrick, it took on its present form in 10th century.  By that time it was not the residence of a king, but rather a monastery and church.

The base of the structure is almost 8 feet thick, and it is still 3 feet thick near the top.  Oliver Cromwell attacked the fortress with cannon, but it took a vicious winter storm years later to bring this corner down.

The timber roofs collapsed long ago, but this beautiful stone arch still remains in the chapel.

Ireland is noted for its music, and these girls are starting young.  We found them playing on the path leading up to the castle.

Here we are in the cemetery behind  Rock of Cashel, framed by typical Irish scenery.  Tomorrow we visit Kinsale, and hopefully get to experience more traditional Irish music.