Kilkenny

We took the train from Dublin to spend the day in Kilkenny. We climbed the round tower at St. Canice’s Cathedral, we saw The Black Abbey, and we walked the Medieval Mile and toured Kilkenny Castle.

My Fleming ancestors came from Kilkenny, so it was special to walk through the town knowing many of the old structures were around when they lived there. At St. Canice’s Cathedral, a volunteer asked me what was the last name of my ancestors. When I said Fleming, she said WAY back in Kilkenny’s history (the 1300’s) there was an area south of Kilkenny Castle that was referred to as “in villae Flamingorum Kilkennie”: the town of the Flemish in Kilkenny - a strongly walled and gated suburb surrounded by towers, called Flemynstown. Pretty awesome to hear that!

Tomorrow, we take a train to Cork to meet our guide for some hiking. We’re crossing our fingers on the weather 🤞🏻🤞🏻 We had a gorgeous day today, but we may get some rain over the next week.Read more