Ireland: A Photo Journal

When Irish eyes are smiling, and excuse my melding of lyrics, the whole world smiles along.

From a way of life where history, culture and family storytelling is passed down the generations through song and artisan crafts, to the best brews – Guinness, Smithwicks, Kilkenny, the list goes on – and genuinely friendly people, a trip to the Emerald Isle really is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Lucky, yes; memorable, absolutely.

Herewith, a visual delight of Counties Kilkenny and Wexford. www.ireland.com

  Kilkenny Castle, built in 1195 by William Marshal, 1^st Earl of Pembroke

A pint of Smithwick’s, an Irish red ale brewed in County Kilkenn

 Joe O’Connell shows off his border collie’s herding skills at County Kilkenny’s Jerpoint Park

The tomb of what’s believed to be St. Nicholas’ relic, at the Lost Town found at Jerpoint Park

The historic remains of Jerpoint Abbey

The Dunbrody, a reproduction of a famine ship that brought Irish immigrants to Quebec, in New Ross, County Wexford

The John F. Kennedy memorial, at the port at New Ross

Traditional Bodrhan drums wait to be played, at The Sky and The Ground pub in County Wexford’s Wexford Town

A thatched roof house, an architectural art still alive and well in County Wexford

 Ancient city walls and church spires stand guard in Wexford Town