Touring Kilkenny Castle

A symbol of Norman occupation, Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195. Located at a shallow point where the River Nore could be easily forded, the castle was an important part of the city’s defenses.

With our newly-minted OPW Heritage Cards admitting us to Kilkenny Castle, we opted to self-tour. Doing so, we were ahead of the crowds that started arriving in our wake about ½-hour later.

Of all the rooms we toured, my favorite was the Picture Gallery. Not necessarily for the art hanging on the walls, but for the hand-painted, pitched ceiling overhead.

As for the surprise detail that caught my eye. That was in the Library. Reading the signage describing the room, the snippet that attracted my attention was about the carpet. Turns out the pattern was adapted from İzmir motifs. İzmir ... as in my hometown in Turkey.Read more