Sunday, August 27th brought us to the Rock of Cashel, another World Heritage Site with which I was unfamiliar. I’m starting to feel woefully ignorant of the significant and amazing places around the world. It’s a group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale which include the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. We had a great tour guide who explained interesting details we wouldn’t have learned without her.
Rock of Cashel
Caslte remains
Sarcophagus of King Cormac’s brother Tadhg
The best road side sign I’ve possibly ever seen.
Sign warning grave diggers
Our afternoon adventure was a visit to the home and studio of artist Karin Kempf, a German who has lived in Ireland for many years. She built her house from a building with not much more than walls. The bathroom shows her creative and eclectic nature. The last picture cracks me up. You can see me taking a photo in the mirror which I hadn’t noticed until now. As you can see, she loves mosaic work.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathroom
Here’s Karin serving us tea and cookies or as they say biscuits. Her day job is as a caregiver at a nursing home facility.
Karin Kempf with Kathy Brassill, tour organizer
Karin became renowned for her crocheted tea cozies, which she now creates on commission. She uses everyday yarn–nothing special. The teapots are found through charity shops or given to her.
Tea Cozy
Tea Cozy
Tea Cozy
Tea Cozy
Karin experiments with other accessories and objects.
Shoe
Sole of the shoe
Headpiece
Jewelry
“Tree Cozy”
Here’s Karin’s studio complete with horse.
Studio Outbuilding
Studio Interior
A Work-in-progress
Karin has a number of outbuildings. One serves as a guest house and one houses the motorcycle she rode through India.
Guest House
Her transportation in India
Kathy, you’ve brought back fond memories of Rock of Cashel. Did your tour guide tell you about the catholic bishop/angelican bishop who was buried there? Also, your writing of New Grange. I was actually there when there was no line and was able to walk into it. We were able to spend 3 wonderful weeks there a few years ago! Loved it!
It’s always great to revisit memories of trips. I’m impressed you know both places. I had been to Ireland before but only in the southern part of the country. I had never heard of the Rock of Cashel or Newgrange before this trip. It’s to the tour organizer’s credit that we went.