After a week of spectacular, but very un-Irish, weather, today it was windy, cool and a bit rainy! But on the upside we feel like we've experienced the real Ireland, it's almost as if the green changes in the gloom into a brighter, richer countryside.
First stop today was Waterford where we went on a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory and learnt how they get from this...
Molten crystal being blown into a mould
To this...
A Master Engraver at work
To this...
We did suggest that we could just take this now but they didn't think that was such a good idea!
Or this!
The showroom at Waterford Crystal
From Waterford we headed down some tiny country lanes to the even tinier village of Ahenny, home to very ancient Celtic crosses which have been replicated many, many, many times over! But these are originals which date from the 8th Century!!
The Ahenny Crosses
After a very quick stop for afternoon tea in...
...we headed to the Rock of Cashel, an amazing place that has been the seat of Kings and Bishops since the 5th Century when it is said that St Patrick converted the King of Munster to Christianity. A section of the complex has been restored but the Cathedral is a spectacular ruin and the beautiful Cormac's Chapel is currently being preserved. They have built a scaffold and roof over the top of this ancient sandstone building to give the porous stone a chance to dry out, the scaffold has been in place for three years and could be there for a few years more.
The Rock of Cashel
Posted with Blogsy
Have safe trip home. Can't believe your holiday is almost over. Looking forward to seeing you both on Friday.
ReplyDeleteAndrew & Joel, been fun blogging with you both. Maybe we will see you in Hamilton when we come over in August. Are you going to sell that large fridge now Andrew? Cheers FOA