This will conclude my souvenirs from Ireland.
Sorry if it took so long (about 7 months to post 10 days of castles).
Pityfully, it was not allowed to take any pics in the inside.


Kilkenny castle is a XII century norman castle which was remodelled in the victorian era.

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The main entrance : the south wall.

Originally raised around 1172 by Robert de Clare to control the river, it then passed to the Butlers, a norman line who were marquesses and earls of Romonde.
The original castle was a classical norman fortress : a trapezoidal court, with a round tower at each angle.

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The west wall, and two XII century towers.

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a closest look to an original tower, and a view of the northern wall (facing the river).

By the victorian times, the eastern wall (which happened to be the longest) was destroyed to open the view to the gardens. It was replaced by an underground tunnel which allowed the servants to pass from the kitchen aisle (south) to the great hall (north)... unseen !!
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The castle seen from the gardens (ie from the missing wall)

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Kilkenny city plan : the castle view.

For more info :http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/HistoricSites/East/KilkennyCastleKilkenny/

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and just for the pleasure, a closer look to the modified northeast tower, above the river and towards the gardens, with the tunnel door.


This will conclude my little castle-trip in ireland. I sincerly hope you all enjoyed it - and it made you wish to go and visit the places : they really are worth the trip.