It would have been great to have stayed in Kilworth but unfortunately there was nowhere to stay so we decided to head north and stop somewhere halfway to Dublin. I have to admit it was the name of this place that first peaked my interest and then when we found a local B&B right on the river we thought we would give it a go.
We were looking for a last Irish village experience and we lucked out with our choice. Having confessed to the owner of the B&B that we had no idea as to how to pronounce Graiguenamanagh he laughed and assured us that if we did ever need a taxi back just to say that we needed to go to “Graig banana” and that should get us home!
The village was lovely and we enjoyed a break in the rain to wander down the towpath of the swollen river and it was wonderful to amble along enjoying the scenery more or less in solitude.
The evenings we spent in the pub (of course) the first we visited was a classic pub which actually was a small shop as well but down the back it was typically cosy helped by a fire. We enjoyed a couple of delicious Guinness and a chat with the locals. This included a man from Cork who neither of us really understood.
The second pub on the second night was chosen as it was the “sports bar” and we enjoyed watching the football while again chatting to the locals at the bar (and drinking Guinness).
The drinking of the Guinness we expected to be doing in Ireland and the fact that it was so much better than any Guinness drunk anywhere else in the world was no surprise either but the friendliness of everyone we met was something that we both have found ourselves frequently commenting on. It would certainly have to be one of the friendliest places we have ever visited and as a consequence has made our visit even more enjoyable.
As it has turned out on this visit the weather wasn’t nearly as bad as predicted and we could have easily stayed longer and done more hiking and exploring but I guess we will just have to return one day. T