- Visiting the West Coast of Scotland
- This is it!!!
- On the road again
- Back Country – NZ
- NZ update – east coast
- Back Country – very different this time!
- Lake Taupo
- The Coromandel
- Mini-break
- More little adventures – NZ
- Getting out and about again!
- More holidays!!
- A new year of adventures
- The mountain cottage
- Ginny’s visit
- Another visit – Marni and Jodi
- More changes!
- First stop in Canada – Niagara Falls
- Quick visit – Toulouse and Venet les Bains
- Ffald-y-Brenen
- The Cotswolds
- Back in France again!!
- Barcelona
- A much more interesting path – crossing the Irish Sea!
- London to Loxton
- Enniscorthy – a quick visit
- County Donegal
- South Gippsland, Victoria
- Next port of call
- Victorian High Country
- Snowy River Country
- Reindeer Lodge – Tanjil Bren
- Hiccup to Blessing
- Have tent will travel!!
- Family and friends – hugs and kisses
- Road Trip to the West
- Very snail like!
Having a car makes so much difference – even though we’re “homebodies” in so many ways we do like the odd adventure! One of the areas we hadn’t visited was South East Ireland – so we decided to check it out. Some of Reg’s ancestors came from Enniscorthy so that was definitely on the agenda. A good chance to visit their home town and hopefully find a couple of family plots in the Carrig Graveyard – situated a few miles out of the town, down a dirt track, surrounded by a clump of trees. Apparently not the easiest to find. So we booked a B&B near Kilkenny and headed off. Our TomTom is a few years out of date and we ended up on a “unknown” motorway – she kept trying to redirect us out of a “paddock” – but all ended well. We arrived at Kilkenny – lots of pubs and shops, a couple of large cathedrals. Lovely medieval city centre. Very busy, lots of tourists – including us I guess. We drove on to the B&B, introduced ourselves and settled into our room. Then it was back to Kilkenny for some food. Found a great Indian restaurant – not exactly typical Irish fare but yummy just the same!
The next day was huge. Drove cross-country to Enniscorthy – lovely green hills, wide rivers, small villages and towns on the way. Found a car park in the main street and walked to the Enniscorthy Castle – just in time for a guided tour. So interesting!! There’s been a castle on the site since 1190. The first was wooden in structure – susceptible to being burnt down in battle – which happened in 1569. The current stone castle was built in its place. It’s very cute – just like a “fairytale” castle – turrets, round towers, spiral staircases and narrow loop windows. Just like the story books. It’s been fought over and owned by all sorts of people over the centuries. It’s also been used for lots of different purposes – army barracks, prison, museum, family home. I especially enjoyed hearing about the Roche family – including 6 children. They lived in the castle in the early 20th century. Everything for everyday life was in the castle – a school room, a chapel. The rooftop was used as a garden and play area for the children. The turrets where very cool inside – perfect place to store all the household vegetables – an olden day fridge. Part of the castle has been re-furnished in the style of the Roche era. Elegant lounge room with a lovely marble fireplace. There’s even a little turret ensuite bathroom off the master bedroom – just a stand with a wash bowl and jug really but the idea was there!
After our castle tour we left Enniscorthy in search of Carrig Graveyard. Reg had checked it out online so we had a bit of paper with some directions – but it’s always different when your’e actually there! We eventually found a sign on the side of the road – an arrow pointing the way. Beautiful views of local fields as we walked down the dirt track, lovely old gateway entrance to the graveyard. Took awhile but we found one family plot and then another next to it – totally covered by dirt and leaves. The writing was still readable – well mostly readable. It was exciting!!
Next it was on to Wexford for lunch and Waterford just for a look. Nice harbours in both cities. We left the big smoke behind – we can only take so much – and wound our way along the Copper Coast. Amazing cliffs, shimmering sea, beautiful blue sky. Came across a little bay – Guillamene Swimming Cove – with a diving platform built halfway down the cliff. Only the brave would consider jumping off – unfortunately we didn’t have our swimming gear with us!! Interesting “old” sign near the car park – men only allowed to swim in the cove. My, how things have changed! We continued along the coastline, stopping here and there, enjoying the scenery. Arrived back at the B&B tired but happy – had a very early night!
We drove home the next day via Birr, Tullamore, Bailieborough and Castleblayney – avoided motorways, stuck to the backroads. Took a couple of hours longer but so worth it. So relaxing winding our way along, rolling green hills, very little traffic. We are such country bumpkins at heart!
We have had a couple of projects at Mourne Park of late – one being the uncovering of a fireplace in our Gardener’s Cottage courtyard. Once used to heat water for the laundry it was completely covered in ivy and hidden behind an old pump. Reg and Chris got busy – cleared everything away. BBQ that evening, fire going in the fireplace, some nice red wine with the meal, good ruby port after. Great night! I’ll include a little video I took – enjoy!!
Love Di and Reg
This entry was posted in House Sits, Ireland, Mourne Park (3), Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Lovely news, Di. Always love reading about your journey, Ireland is a beautiful place. We spent time in Wexford in 2005, Graham’s cousin lives there. He and his wife are flying over to England to catch up with us in late Sept. Only 3 wks to go before our holiday in Europe and England. Not looking forward to the long flight, but can’t afford business-class!! Lol. Take care.
Know the feeling – cattle class for us as well!! Very exciting – not long till you head off. Keen to hear how the river cruise goes xx
My heritage is in the town of Ballynahinch, near Belfast. We have been from one end of Ireland to the other. I bought CD’s by Sean Wilson who sings so many medleys that make my heart yearn for Innisfree and the fifty shades of green. I’m Scots-Irish. I once told someone I was Scotch-Irish. He informed me Scotch was a drink . . . that proper word to use was Scots-Irish. I do wear green on St. Pat’s Day, but I should wear orange.
I’m part Scots-Irish as well. My great-grandmother sailed from Coleraine near Belfast to South Australia in 1848. She was on a boat full of young orphan girls – they were sent to find work and hopefully marry one of the many single men who had arrived in the new colony. Interesting that we’ve been spending so much time house sitting in Northern Ireland. Good to get to know part of your heritage.