European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A \ i Ireland 1 v u a a a amp amp country s a medieval capital boasts one big Castle,60 pubs by Deborah Absher staff write Ireland s Quot medieval capital Quot is the City of Kilkenny a Small Friendly town with a magnificent Castle narrow streets and buildings dating to the seventh Century some of which House the More than 60 pubs. The 1,500-year-old City touted As the country s Best preserved Norman City centers around Kilkenny Castle. The Castle and its Lush grounds command 50 acres along the Banks of the River Nore. Originally dating from the 12th Century the Castle was owned by the Butler family the Earls of Ormonde from England from the 14th Century until 1932. The most impressive Section inside the Castle is the appropriately named Long gallery which houses a permanent collection of paintings heavy on English nobility. In contrast to the stuffiness of the people in the portraits and the stiff backed chairs lining the Walls is the whimsical wooden beam ceiling designed like a Viking ship. A a a a a a Entrance to the gallery and the Castle restaurant in the old Kitchen Are free guided Tours of the entire Castle Are available at a Cost of 2 pounds about $3 for adults and 1 Pound $1.50 for children. Be sure to ask about the Castle ghost a girl burned at the stake by the townspeople. Across the Street from Kilkenny Castle in its 18-Century stables and coach House Are shops Selling Irish crafts from throughout the country., a a the Kilkenny design Centre a where visitors can shop watch artisans at work and Sample Irish foods in a Small restaurant a contains two Large stores open year round and smaller specially shops open april through december. Quot we try to represent the very traditional crafts of Ireland Quot says Mary Doyle a buyer for the Center Quot it is very much Back to the roots of crafts such As Wood turning hand weaving and hand blown  the design Center originally a government run training facility for Young artisans and designers was converted in 1989 to private shops and studios housed in the Stone and Wood Castle courtyard buildings. Doyle a Kilkenny native who worked for Vii corps finance and accounting office at Robinson Barracks in Stuttgart Germany in the Early 1980s, describes the Center today As a Quot shop window Quot for Irish Craft products Quot the Best of Irish design and  the most popular items at the shops Are the hand thrown pottery traditional Tweed clothing and knitwear from the aran islands off the West coast. Crafts and merchandise come from All Over Ireland representing specialities from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a Quot the Island of Ireland As opposed to the two separate states Quot Doyle said. A the Center s largest shop offers the greatest variety of crafts. Some of the items found on the first and second floors Are Irish Linen and lace hand Woven throws and Pillow covers Crystal pottery in the form of everything from dishes to lamps Home accessories Small artworks jewelry cookbooks Irish chocolates dolls and Folk figures made of Wood and aran Wool. In the rear of the store Are More souvenir Type items though of higher Quality than the Junky Type found in Many tourist  Rritt up the stairs past the crafts and you la find a 150-seat self service restaurant that offers homemade dishes. The daily selection always includes fresh Salmon and smoked Trout Doyle said along with traditional offerings 14 stripes Magazine september 29, 1994 m it t a a Rumm m w a a. Ult v 1w a a v a Jln a a is. It i4 r Kilkenny Castle sits along the Bank of the River Nore in Kilkenny known As the medieval capital of Ireland. Such As Irish Stew scones Brown bread and homemade preserves. Also available Are salads and pastas. The other Large shop in the courtyard Complex is primarily clothing a and primarily pricey a for both men and women. More affordable Are the sweaters knit gloves and hats and celtic jewelry. Wander farther into the courtyard and you la find the Small specially shops most of which produce their crafts there and Welcome observers. These shops specialize mostly in Silver and Gold jewelry Wood turning weaving and pottery. A exterior shots of Kilkenny Castle left hid above which dates from the 12tlf Century. A amps photos by Dave Didio a amps Deborah Absher. A a a. N Quot Tell Taxa a so y a a a s % amp a a $ 1 a Quot a it a i s a pm wac r 4sf i Quot it it say my Ofa Quot a a 5-s lamp i a a i t  v a a a amp \ huge tapestries adorn the Walls of the Long gallery in Kilkenny Castle above. This antique stove stands in the old Kitchen which operates As a restaurant in the summer season right. I mow sit travel Erst tips a How to get there Kilkenny Castle and the Kilkenny design Centre Are located on a Street called the Parade in the Center of Kilkenny an easily navigable town of 15,000 people. A hours the Castle is open seven Days a week from 10 . To 7 pm. In the summer and 10 . To 5 . The rest of the year. A shopping the Kilkenny design Center shops Are open 9 . To 6 . Monday through saturday and 10 . To 6 . On sunday. During the off season a january february and March a the two main shops Are closed on sundays and holidays the Small shops Are closed completely during this period. A Deborah Absher september 29, 1994 stripes Magazine