Today we left Kilkenny for Killarney by way of Cashel, Cobh, and Cork.  We were winging it to see what we could and wanted to.  Blarney was bypassed in favor of Rock of Cashel.  It was a great decision.  We loved the Rock of Cashel which was built for Choirs.  All our choir friends would love a place like this!  When you are there you can envision what it looked like when it was being used.  It must have created a wonderful sound for music.  It was also the place of a massacre.  To cover up the massacre, they set the building on fire.  Intending to rebuild after the massacre, the residents had to give up that dream as it was too expensive and there weren't enough people in the community after the massacre to pay for the renovations.  Currently it is being restored in some areas in order to save the structure from the elements.  Quite a magnificent piece of architecture. 

Once we had finished taking about 1000 photos at the rock (maybe a little bit of an exaggeration), we headed toward Cobh.  It was beginning to get a little nippy on the water's edge, but we stopped for lunch across from the water at Taste Cafe for coffee and a sandwich.  Very tasty.  We saw a huge cruise ship in port and toured a Titanic exhibit located on the same pier and ticket office where the Titanic passengers left Cobh.  There were some 120 passengers who left from this, the last port of the maiden voyage.  We then went up the very steep hill to St. Colman's Cathedral.  It took 47 years to complete and was finished in 1915, new compared to many structures in Ireland.  It contains the largest carillon in Ireland totalling 49 bells. 

We proceeded to Cork where we quickly toured the English Market which reminded me of Pikes in Seattle.  I was looking for an Irish Craft store that I read about, but it appears to be out of business.  Since it was getting late and many places were closed, we left for our final destination, Killarney.  We checked into the International Hotel.  An older style grand type of hotel with a beautiful staircase and very nice people.  We decided to eat at Hannigans which is attached to the hotel.  I had pork medallions and of course there were potatoes!  It was awesome!  Best meal so far with the best service.  We then took a stroll around the streets and found several places (pubs) we will try to visit tomorrow night after the Ring of Kerry tour.