Kinsale
The town is a popular tourist destination reknowned for its fishing and gourmet cuisine.  This series of three photos was taken on the way to Charles Fort (on the east side of Kinsale harbour) and overlap (l to r).  This shot looks southward out of the harbour.  In 1915 the Lusitania was sunk by a german U-boat off the Old Head of Kinsale, one of the events which eventually drew the U.S. into WW I.  On the right centre of the photo some of the remains of James Fort can be seen projecting out from the other side of the harbour. 
 
 

Kinsale - James Fort
The ruins of this star-shaped fort contain secret passages and panoramic views of Kinsale
 
 
 

Kinsale
The town proper was very busy and all of the hostels were filled by the time I arrived so I ended up sleeping outside in the shadows of Charles fort.

For more information on Kinsale see:
Kinsale, Chamber of Tourism
Kinsale tourism guide
Softguide Ireland: Kinsale

For more information on Cork see:
Cork city
Cork guide
 
 

Conna (Connagh) castle
From Cork I headed north and east, taking some back roads to avoid the treacherously busy N8.  Fortunately the locals were quite friendly and kept me from getting too lost.  The small town of Conna is on R628 and a park is maintained there around this tower keep.  It is apparently quite a popular site for concerts, picnics and gatherings of all sorts.

For history and details of the keep see: 
Connagh castle
 
 
 
 
 

Lismore castle
This private castle is perched over the Blackwater river in Lismore, heading into the Knockmealdown mountains, and is the birthplace of Robert Boyle (a scientist who, among other accomplishments, formulated Boyle's Law). 
I spent the night at the well appointed Kilmorna Farm Hostel, a couple miles from town. 

For more of the sights and history see:
Welcome to Lismore
Lismore Castle

Cahir castle
Since none of my pictures from ground level did the castle justice I borrowed this from the front of the guide book.  The castle, which sits on a rocky island in the River Suir,  is in remarkable condition and is one of the largest in Ireland. 

For more details, pictures and history see:
Cahir castle
Cahir castle (and Swiss Cottage)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Rock of Cashel
This elaborate complex of medieval buildings sits commandingly atop atop a dark limestone hill 300 feet above the plain below, and was the ancient seat of the kings of Munster.  I spent the night at the friendly and comfortable Cashel Holiday Hostel (in the town of Cashel which is at the foot of the Rock) where I met a pair of Basque cycle tourists.

For more pictures, details and history see:
the Rock of Cashel
Historic Cashel
Cashel of the Kings

For more pictures, details and history see:
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle (2)
Kilkenny - information age city
Kilkenny City
 
 

Unfortunately, I did not have much time to explore the city since I had to catch an afternoon train to Dublin in order to catch my flight home the next day.  Taking the bike on the train was simple - it cost a few pounds but there was a dedicated car for bicycles. 

After crashing on the grounds of UCD (again, all of the hostels were full by the time I arrived -- moral of the story: call ahead if you really want a comfortable place to sleep) I returned the bike (the depot is hidden inside the secure (i.e. massive locked iron gates) parking lot of the Dublin International Youth Hostel (61 Mountjoy St.  - a decent walk from downtown), before rushing off  to the airport to catch the flight home.