Day Seventeen – Tuesday, 29 May 2011

Wexford – Blarney

Accommodation - The White House B&B

Weather – overcast but dry

Temperature – maximum 18

It was our first full day in Ireland and I must admit not an awful lot of thought went into naming my blog!  I’ll have to make it a priority in editing when I return to OZ….perhaps “Sandra and David’s Adventures in the UK and Ireland!”……

We left Wexford around 9.30am and headed to Waterford the home of crystal.  After an awkward start finding the outlet (our GPS took us to the closed factory) we enjoyed a great tour of the city based centre.  We were a little unsure whether to go on a tour….you can get a bit ‘toured’ out…..but it was well worthwhile and made us realise just how careful and intricate a process it is to make their products.

Tables were set up and each place had a different Waterford setting.

A seriously over-the-top mirror but gorgeous!

Cheers!

One of the many stunning one-off pieces displayed.

The factory was set up in 1783 and this was when the Lismore pattern was made.  This pattern is still the most popular today.  Crystal is made up of white silica sand, potash and read lead.  If the content of lead falls below 20% then it is glass.

We saw so many beautiful pieces of crystal in the showroom:  a grizzly bear 75cms tall (sells for 30 000 euro);  a gridiron helmet; a world globe;  chandeliers everywhere;  wonderful vases (my favourites had Christmas scenes);  glasses; clocks and so much more.  The factory produces some beautiful one-off pieces as trophies and stunning pieces for special occasions including a tall lidded piece for Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee and a memorial for 9/11 showing the steel beams in the background.

The pieces for next year’s Time Square ball were sitting on the table.  Apparently there are new crystal pieces made each year for the New York’s iconic ball and auctioned off….for charity I hope!

We then took a detour off the main road and headed to the little village of Ardmore.  Fortunately, it was a quiet day and we enjoyed a late lunch at a local restaurant.  A walk around Ardmore is very pleasant and I can imagine that it would be very busy in summer as it has a great sandy beach.

On the way to Ardmore....isn't it pretty?

St Declan is said to have introduced Christianity here from 416 AD and is considered the oldest ecclesiastical centre in Ireland which predates St Patrick.  The old St Declan’s Cathedral and Romanesque Round Tower sit high on the hill overlooking Ardmore.  The church’s roof has long gone however enough remains to give it a real sense of the importance its presence has been to the village with the many many gravestones – both ancient and new surrounding this old building and even some inside.

Beautiful St Declan's high on the hill overlooking Ardmore. 

The Round Tower is remarkably preserved and was used by monks to hide the church’s treasures when invaded.  The door is very high up and could be accessed via a rope ladder.  When under threat the ladder was drawn up.

The interior of St Declan's....so old and so precious.

The remarkably well preserved Round Tower stands beside the church.

As it was already after three o’clock we decided to head to Blarney which is north of Cork.  We like the idea of staying out of busy areas but close enough to visit the cities next day.  Blarney is very small however it can be very busy apparently during the day.  We will see tomorrow when we set out for Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone…..although I don’t think I need any more gifts in that area!!

Our journey from County Wexford through County Waterford and County Cork was very enjoyable.  We marvelled at the green countryside…….green, green everywhere.  It’s easy to see how it’s known as the Emerald Isle.

A diverse day of sightseeing was finished off at the local pub and a good sit-down!