Ireland: Day 5 (Sept. 15, 2011)

Today was a lovely day! We had gorgeous weather!!

We took a ferry from County Waterford to County Wexford. I actually have distant relatives from County Wexford. We drove the Ring of Hook. It is a drive that goes out along the peninsula. It was a very nice drive.

We saw an Irish gentlemen walking down the street. He was exactly what I think of when I think of an elderly Irishman complete with cap, cane, and dog.

Our first stop was the Ballyhack Castle from 1450.

Duncannon Fort, 1587, is a star shaped fortress on an important promontory in Waterford Harbour. It is on one of the most dangerous coastlines in Ireland, the Wexford coast. Duncannon and Fort was the location for the opening scenes of the 2002 remake of 'The count of Monte Cristo', starring Jim Caviezel and Richard Harris.

Church of Templar, Templeton, County Wexford. (Couldn't find out much info)

Hook Lighthouse is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. Hook Lighthouse is a unique example of an almost intact medieval lighthouse. It dates from the early 13th century and was a major feat at the time of its construction.

Tintern Abbey – which is today in ruins, some of which have been restored – was founded in 1200 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. Once established, the abbey was colonised by monks. We had lunch outside at a little cafe there. It was cool eating lunch while viewing the abbey. It was a very pretty area.

Clonmines Medieval Settlement is one of the finest examples of a medieval settlement in Ireland. The first buildings date back from the 13th century, and the town was enlarged in 1385.The town was destroyed in 1400 but it struggled to rise again and survived until 17th century.Today only a few ruined buildings survive. Namely there are two churches, a tower house and a minor building. Sadly, the settlement stands on a private property and the owners don't allow visitors.

The next castle was our favorite one in Ireland! Johnstown Castle was built for the Grogan Morgan family between 1810 and 1855 and incorporating part of a more ancient castle. The harmony between great Victorian revival castles and their surrounding ornamental grounds is rarely seen to such perfection as at Johnstown Castle. There are 20 peacocks that live on the 1,000 acre property. The property was presented as a gift to the Irish Nation in 1945 and was later occupied by the Department of Agriculture who established an agricultural institute here. Unfortunately, now the castle is sitting empty...

Selskar Abbey was our next stop. It was in Wexford city and we had a difficult time finding it. It was surrounded by other buildings and hard to get a good picture. The abbey was founded about the year 1190. The first treaty ever signed in Ireland with the English was on this spot, in the year 1169. This church, with six others, were demolished by order of Oliver Cromwell, when in possession of the town in 1649.

Enniscorthy Castle is an imposing Norman stronghold, which dates from 1205 and was a private dwelling until 1951. The castle was the site of many fierce battles during the Cromwellian years and also the 1798 Rising.

Dunbrody Abbey, founded in 1170, one of the finest examples of a Cistercian Monastery in Ireland. It was completed circa 1220, but additions may have continued for some time.

We had a great day. As I said before, the weather was gorgeous!! We got a little stressed driving in Wexford... these towns are so crowded, the roads so narrow - it is nerve wracking!! We had dinner at a local pub and restaurant in Waterford. We are staying a second night at the Tower Hotel in Waterford.