January 28th

Rock oh Cashal

Cahir Castle

The cannon ball is still stuck in the castle from hundreds of years ago!

Typical Castle stairs

Dungeon

   Packed my bag early in the morning and got on the bus to head toward Waterford, where I'll be staying the next few nights.  On our way to Waterford we stopped at the Rock of Cashal, which is the site of the ruling place of the Kings of Munster.  The site dates back to the 12th century. 

   We left Rock of Cashal and went to Cahir castle, which was in County Tipperary.  Cahir castle was well preserved and best presented because they allowed us to walk anywhere within the castle.  This castle was amazing, it had a moat around it with little windows built in the shape of a cross to fit the bow and arrow shooters for defense.  There was a cannon ball stuck in the side of the castle that had been there for over 500 years.  Also, many scenes from the movie Braveheart were filmed at this location.  I found it interesting that in all the castles the stairs were made to go clockwise upward.  The reason being that this way it favored the person coming down the stairs if they needed to defend them selves from someone coming up.  Most people are right handed, which gives the person walking down the ability to see around corners and room to swing his sword.  Also, there are some stairs that are bigger than others that way if an enemy is trying to run up the unfamiliar stairs he will trip.

    After leaving Cahir castle, we drove into Waterford and stayed at the Grandville Hotel overlooking the river Suir.  Also, I started a new book called "Brooklyn", and so far I can't put it down.