Tipperary day 1

Finola came and picked me up and we processed to the Airport hotel in Cork - Himself having stayed overnight to deliver the car. We enjoyed a very good coffee then hit the M8 on our way to Tipperary. The M8 is an incredibly civilised motorway, gentle cruising all the way and hardly any traffic. We stopped off in Cahir for I had two things on the agenda. Cahir is known for its massive castle but I wanted to see Tobar Iosa, Jesus Well and it didn't disappoint -  down a leafy avenue with the most colossal poplar trees, it was a double well overlooked by a double shrine, jam-packed with Jesus statues. What was even nicer was there was a man just having a quiet moment with his banjo - and he played us a tune. He turned out to be Benny McCarthy Delightful.*
We then carried on to something unmissable - the indents of St Patrick's knees! This bizarre and extraordinary monument is in the middle of a road and a tasteful chevron of pebbles now protects it. Once it was painted green! Yes, the man himself is said to have stopped here enroute to somewhere, had a quick pray and left his kneeprints behind. We then had a sneaky look at the Swiss Cottage but didn't have time to do the tour - looked nice though, right on the river Suir.

On to the hotel which had the most amazing views across the Glen of Aherlow, where we were met by Con and Una, our two other travelling companions. We had time for a quick trip to St Berrihert's Kyle which is just the most jaw-dropping monument, before supper. Our starter was the largest bowl of hummus I have ever seen - it could have fed the 5000.

* Edit - nope not Benny McCarthy but Eddie Costello !