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It seems like this trip was months ago, instead of weeks. Â Getting back to the states just in time for Thanksgiving made time fly! Â Christmas and New Years are just around the corner and my days are filled with decorating, baking, Christmas cards, shopping for just the right presents, and working – yeah there’s that. Â So if you’re looking for a quick 5 minute escape, like me – please read on!
On our second day in Ireland we left Portlaoise and headed to Cashel to explore more ruins and the town famous for the “Rock of Cashel.”  This is the Hore Abby a former Benedictine monastery near the Rock of Cashel.  The day started out a bit gloomy with drizzly rain and cool temperatures.
If you don’t like the weather in Ireland all you have to do is wait a few minutes. Â True to it’s reputation, the rain stopped and we set out to explore this fascinating site.
It’s hard to imagine that a monastery could still be standing since 1270 … parts of it anyway.
They just don’t build things like they used to.
There is a cemetery in the back with headstones so worn I couldn’t read the inscriptions.  I guess they are very old!
Off in the distance you can see the ‘Rock of Cashel‘ castle currently under renovation for conservation purposes.
After exploring the Abbey we headed into Cashel to get information on touring the castle.  This is the beautiful Cashel Palace Hotel. It looked like Elizabeth Bennett or Mr. Darcy would step out of the front door at any minute.  We didn’t stay at this hotel … but I would!  We’re “pub B&B” kind of people but I wouldn’t mind exploring this 1730’s Queen Ann style house.  Maybe next time!
We were lucky to find Cashel was hosting an Arts Festival in the center of town.
Vendors lined up selling handmade crafts, woolens, jewelry and tasty homemade goodies.
I picked up a great handmade hat for my grandson Issac. Â It fits and he loves it!
We enjoyed the music from a local brass band.  Such fun!
I guess it’s no surprise that I was fascinated with this lovely lady’s home baked traditional Irish desserts.
Jam, chocolate, nuts and other treats lured us in!
We picked up a few pieces of delicious cake to share. Â All this walking and exploring makes one hungry. Â I wish I could remember the name of all these pastries! Â They were delicious.
Daisy Cottage Farm from Wicklow, Ireland – give her a “like” on Facebook! Â She developed an award wining scone mix and made all these fantastic pastries. Â It’s so sad we couldn’t taste them all!
The sun came out, the brass band took a break, and we enjoyed listening to a youth orchestra – LOVED it!
We walked a couple of blocks to check out the castle.
The Rock of Cashel castle isn’t hard to find – in fact it’s hard to miss.
I stopped to take pictures of these lovely garden flowers still in bloom in November.
The sun went away again and we enjoyed more rain. But that’s okay – as the old saying goes – there’s no bad weather … only bad clothing. We were prepared with umbrellas and rain coats and went on to enjoy and explore.
At the bottom of the hill we found a lovely little woollen shop.  If you find yourself in Cashel be sure to stop in and introduce yourself to Inga. We had a lovely visit and she was a wealth of information! Inga gave us some pointers for what to see off the beaten path, where to stay, etc. We took all of her advice and you will see photos of those adventures in future posts. Inga was adorable, friendly and so funny I think she could do stand up comedy. We had so much fun visiting with her and shopping. I’ve said it before but it should be repeated, the people of Ireland are one of its’ greatest assets.  They are an amazingly warm and friendly bunch of terrific people, and they’re Irish too!
Fall colors near the castle.
The Rock of Cashel.
From the Castle you can see the Abbey we visited earlier in the day.
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A view of Cashel from the top.
Thanks for coming along on our adventure in Cashel. Â I still have another 4-5 posts to share in the coming month but I guess I better get back to the kitchen! Â The holidays are coming and I’m not ready! Â I do have a new recipe for a sweet bread to share later this week. Â Thanks so much for stopping by!
Here’s a PIN for  your favorite travel board!
Here are a few more posts about our adventures in Ireland:
- Cobh, Killarney, Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher
- Cork Ireland – a visit to The English Market
- Dingle Ireland
- Dublin & Portlaoise Ireland
And don’t miss this wonderful roundup of Irish Recipes & Travel Posts too!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Kitchen Belleicious says
oh my goodness girl. These pictures are breathtaking and soo much fun! Oh how I would love to visit there.
Tricia Buice says
I hope you get to make a trip there one day – it is a wonderful place to vacation! Merry Christmas
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
Just beautiful pictures Tricia. Makes me feel like I’ve been to the land of leprechauns!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris – Merry Christmas!
Monica says
What beautiful pictures, Tricia. And what a trip! They most definitely do not build things they way they used to – that’s for sure! The street festival looks like such fun; it seems like you discovered a lot of treasures on your trip.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Monica – I hope you get to go one day!
K / Pure & Complex says
This castle looks absolutely beautiful. I can’t stop staring at it. And your travels, food, and wonderful scenery photos are wonderful. This was such a cool post.
Tricia Buice says
Thank you so much! And thanks for stopping by – I hope you will come again!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Those photos of Cashel are so beautiful, Tricia. I am so glad that you had a wonderful stay in Ireland.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Angie
Tricia Buice says
Merry Christmas Angie 🙂
Betty says
That’s a trip I’d love to take-Beautiful!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Betty – Merry Christmas
cheri says
Hi Tricia, they certainly do not make things like they used to, those old structures are amazing, as are all these wonderful pictures. Just added Ireland to my bucket list.
Tricia Buice says
It is a wonderful trip! Merry Christmas 🙂
michael says
Great pictures Tricia, the countryside is beautiful and the Irish baked good look delicious! 🙂
Take a look at a few new cutting and serving boards!
http://instagram.com/michaelswoodcraft
Michael
Tricia Buice says
Will do Michael – I bet you are busy this time of year! Thanks
2 Sisters Recipes...by Anna and Liz says
Wow what a vacation! Such beautiful photos of the town Cashel… Love the natural beauty of that country. Thanks for sharing your trip with us as we look forward to seeing more! Have a great week Tricia! xo Anna and Liz
Tricia Buice says
Thanks so much Anna and Liz. Loved the Brussels Sprouts recipe! Thanks so much for a delicious quick dinner idea 🙂
Becky Green says
WONDERFUL PHOTOS Tricia! SUCH BEAUTY! THANK YOU for sharing with us! I look forward to seeing your future posts about your trip! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks so much Becky! There is so much to do this time of year – take care!
David crichton says
Tricia, Tricia, Tricia, I’m in mourning for you. Or hopefully you’ve saved the best for last. Did you try the Cashel Blue cheese? It is simply the best you can get. Better than Stilton, any French blue, Gorgonzola etc. Its got a soft blue punch to it, with superb creaminess and crystalline structure from an aged cheese.
This is my wife’s favourite, whereas they also make Crozier Blue, goats milk, which is my favourite. If I could I’d send some over for you.
Dave
Tricia Buice says
Well thanks Dave! I love Cashel Blue cheese but I have to admit – I ate plenty of Irish Brown Soda Bread with smoked salmon but only one small sample of cheese from the Cork English market. Love Ireland! Have a wonderful holiday
Beth says
I love your photos! It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I haven’t been to Ireland, and hope to make it there someday. It would be hard to pick a favourite photo – the abbey and the castle are both so beautiful, and the land is so green.
Looking forward to your upcoming posts about the trip!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Beth – I think I still have another 1,000 photos to get through – haha! Blessings to you and your family during the holidays!