So on the third day it was time to leave the city, jump in the rental car and head to Kilkenny. A few minutes after pulling out of the city we got our first glimpses of the beautiful Irish countryside. Once we reached our destination we hit the streets to find something to eat. We ended up in a pub called The Rafter Dempsey's Lounge (see picture) where we enjoyed the special of the day...Lasagna and chips. Sounds a little strange but with a nip in the air and our stomachs growling (and a few sips of Guinness in us) it was delicious. After leaving the pub we took a tour of Kilkenny Castle.(where construction was started in 1195!) The grounds and castle were in incredible shape.
We ended up grabbing dinner at Kyteler's Inn where the special was Shepard's Pie (perfect)which was a medieval style pub circa 1324 and at one time was owned by a woman accused of witchcraft. If you ever make it to Kilkenny check this place out. It has such a great look and feel. After dinner we decided to hang out with the locals at Tynans Bridge House Bar. A no frills watering hole where the locals hang. Since we were visiting in the off season we were the only Americans there that night.
After a few beers we engaged in conversation with some of the customers ( I believe our South Carolina accents stuck out a bit) and then the fateful question was posed.."May I buy you and your new wife a drink?" After saying yes i didn't realize that meant that whenever our beers were almost empty a brand new one appeared.(see pic with one our our new friends wearing my glasses. Notice the full beer next to my unfinished one) I had quite a few beers during our trip but this was the only night i got drunk. Not only was i drinking my beer but my wife kept pouring hers in my glass as well. Needless to say, we couldn't keep up with the locals. We had a great time that night and everyone was super welcoming. After awhile a guy got up and started playing guitar and singing songs. Well after a few drinks my wife for some reason requested the song below. the guy never had played it before but that night he obliged. So now every time I hear this song I think of drunken Irishmen and the smell of Guinness. Enjoy.
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
