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Walking up The Parade past the south wing of Kilkenny Castle.

Kilkenny Castle (Ireland)

As Heritage Ireland says, Kilkenny Castle is a “12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.” Learning about the Butlers was quite interesting, as they came up over and over later in the trip. I confess that …

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Walking uphill towards the entrance of the Rock of Cashel. One of the earliest buildings is the 1134 Romanesque Cormac's Chapel, at top centre, made of sandstone.

Rock of Cashel (Ireland)

There’s a lot going on historically and architecturally at the ancient Rock of Cashel. Heritage Ireland calls it, “A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored …

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Candles in jars and green boughs in Boivin House at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons. Some of the 5,000 lights on display during the First Light celebration.

Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons

Let us consider the Jesuit Relations. First things first. Last night I attended the First Light festival at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons in Midland, Ontario, a town on Georgian Bay about two hours’ drive north of Toronto. What is Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons? From the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque: I’ve visited …

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Spadina (Spa-DEE-na) Museum, on Spadina (Spa-DYE-na) Road, across from Casa Loma

Spadina Museum

On a grey November Sunday afternoon in Toronto, it was a pleasure to venture inside Spadina Museum, one of the 10 City of Toronto Museums. My visit began with this video, Spadina and Toronto in the 1920s: An Introduction, which was very helpful in setting the home and Austin family in context. I enjoyed an …

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