Travel Tuesday: Jerpoint Abbey

We left for our honeymoon the day after our wedding in September 2009. In hindsight we should have given ourselves a few days to recover from all of the stress and excitement before heading off on our honeymoon adventure, but I just couldn't wait to get started! We spent two weeks in Europe, touring through several cities in Ireland and Italy. My husband is Irish so Ireland was a must see destination for him. I chose Italy. I have been in love with Italy since I was a child hearing all about the ancient ruins from my grandparents as they cruised their way through the first decade of their retirement.  I knew I just had to go there someday to see them all for myself.

So on our honeymoon my husband and I elected to spend 4 days in Ireland and 8 days in Italy to visit all of the places we'd always dreamed about. Once we arrived in Dublin we immediately rented a car and drove down to Kilkenny for the first night. We checked into a lovely Bed and Breakfast and then headed out to explore Jerpoint Abbey. The Abbey is located about 25 minutes outside Kilkenny by car. Our first experience driving in Ireland was quite frightening! We were driving on the wrong side of curvy roads that are much narrower than home. I spent most of the drive to Kilkenny thinking I was going to die, but we made it! 

Jerpoint Abbey was built in the 12th century by the Cistercians. As you can see it is now only in ruins. It was raining on and off our first day in Ireland so we had the place almost to ourselves. Being the first stop on our honeymoon, this abbey will always hold a special place in my heart.  

Have you visited Ireland? What is one of your favorite memories?