Farrenwick, County Tipperary

IV Blog Toto Travels
County Tipperary and Farrenwick

14 May - After picking up our car at Dublin airport, we head toward our first destination: Farrenwick Guest House near Clonmel, County Tipperary. I had planned to take the long way around through Wicklow, but decided a long drive our first day in the car was not a good idea an we would go pretty much directly to Farrenwick and settle in.  VERY good decision as it turns out.
After a stop for coffee (diet Coke for Karen) and scones in the village of Abbeyleix 
 we continued on toward Farrenwick. We took a slightly wrong turn, but it was easy to come down to the road between Clonmel and Cahir and go back up R687 to Farrenwick.

We arrived around 1:00 pm and got all checked in at Farrenwick BnB on R687 near Clomnel, County Tipperary, just south of Poulnamucky which is south of New Inn - not far from The Rock of Cashel.  Denis, our host,  greeted us as he was doing spring planting in a stunningly beautiful yard. 
Kay, our hostess, ushered us in and brought us tea and scones and chatted with us in the sitting room.  She chatted about the Queen of England's visit and was quite philosophical about it. She fretted about her safety and also told us that their road would be closed Thursday and Friday. They had been told to get everything they needed because they would not be able to leave while the road was closed. "I'll be praying for the Queen, I want her to come and go safely." Then she added, "It is time for healing.  We have a lovely country, but people will hear about the few crazy people."

Karen and I asked about the nearest laundry and Kay said as we were their only guests for the night, she would be glad to do our laundry. What a wonderful favor! 
Denis recommended a trip to see the Rock of Cashel, so we decided to check that off our list.  Cashel is another fairly small village, although navigating the streets is still a challenge.
It was cold and windy with intermittent rain on the "Rock" which does indeed sit above the village of Cashel. We found the car park, and walked around up the hill to the entrance, noting several Garda in the area. A sign informed us that Cashel would be closed from Monday 16 May through Friday 20 May because the Queen of England was visiting.  We were so glad we had decided to come on Saturday! 
Very impressive ruins and history. Spectacular view of the town, the plains of Tipperary, farmland, pasture, and other ruins. 
The rain kept us from walking around Cashel - well mostly the WIND and he rain!
So it was back to Cahir to find a place to eat, not an easy task it seems. Americans take the multiple restaurants and long open hours for granted.  The lady at Mary Condon Pub and Funeral Directors (yep that is what the sign said) recommended The Galtee Inn down the street. Yum! Initially we were not sure about the place, the pub man was dry and just nodded to a table, but it turned out to be a delicious dinner.
This is great horse country and there was a wonderful painting of a horse and jockey jumping a fence titled Beer or Salmon. I commented to the bar man about the marvelous painting. His comment, " That's Beer or Salmon " (as if that should absolutely explain all). Then he took pity on us, "He's a beautiful horse, very famous." 
Karen asked if he was still alive.
 "Oh yeh  retired he did umm about 6 years ago - out to stud now."
The food was wonderful - bit of a surprise. I had a broccoli cheese mix in a pastry that was the best meal so far. Delicious and the Guinness that accompanied the meal topped it off.
Denis and Kay were waiting for us on our return and wanted to know about our afternoon. They smiled when we told them where we ate, Denis told us it was named for the Galtee Mountains and showed us the mountains from their window.
Avery nice first day in the lovely countryside of Ireland.