The woman who ran the guesthouse we stayed in last night told me that Americans usually account for 70% of her business. This year, however, they stayed away in droves, because of the weak dollar. Americans literally can’t afford to leave the US.
On top of that, it’s been a bad summer so far. The combination of poor meteorological and economic conditions has badly hit Irish tourism. It’s probably the same story all over Europe.
In Kilkenny, you could be forgiven for not noticing that tourist numbers are down. Tourists appear to be everywhere; and plenty of them sound American, too.
Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) is a delight. It’s Ireland’s smallest city, both by area and population. In terms of charm and appeal, however, it wins hands down from the likes of Dublin and Cork.
The main tourist draws here are St. Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny Castle (Caisleán Chill Chainnigh), but whilst those are both very nice, the most pleasurable experience can be had for free, sauntering along the city’s mediaeval streets, taking in the many nice buildings and the pleasant, unforced atmosphere.
In short, Kilkenny is the real thing. No tourist itinerary should be without it.
Tomorrow, it’s back to Greystones (Na Clocha Liatha) in Co. Wicklow (Contae Chill Mhantáin) for one final day with Opa Tony, Oma Bernie and the three uncles. We’ve kept it a secret from Eloïse, who is going to be bowled over when we roll up outside their front door and she realises where she is. I daresay the family will be happy to see her, too.
And that will round off our Irish trip. On Friday, we’ll drive south to Rosslare (Ros Láir) and catch the ferry back to Fishguard in Wales. And thus begins the long journey homeward.
I’d write more, but the battery on my laptop is about to peg out and I have to sit near the door to our room in order to pick up the wireless signal. Unfortunately, there’s no plug socket here.