Life Is Full of Sweet Spots

“There is no real ending.

It’s just the place

where you stop the story.”

 — Frank Herbert

A square castle with towers on each corner, the original wooden Kilkenny Castle was built in the 12th century soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland. The present castle has been rebuilt and adapted over 800 years to suit changing times and uses. Three of its original towers survive today. (1)

On the west side of the castle is a formal garden with axial paths radiating from a central fountain; its base is thought to be an original seventeenth-century water feature. (2)

Final stop before returning home — Dublin. Founded in the ninth century as a Viking trading settlement, the city grew in size and stature as a British colony, emerging as the capital of the Irish Free State (renamed Ireland in 1937) after gaining independence in 1922.  However, other than this abstract emmigrant sailing ship panel, we have no photos for you of the city’s historic and cultural highpoints — cameras were off-duty while attention turned to such places as the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and just plain enjoyment of the city’s shops, sidewalk cafes and pure charms. Indeed, it was the perfect place to simply decompress and let the cultural and historic vibes that we had experienced all soak in. (3)

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Last of a series of Ireland travels through words and images. We hope you have enjoyed taking this photographic journey right along with us!
Photos 1, 3 by Mary O’Connor • Photo 2 by Jan Logozzo

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