WATERFORD to DUBLIN – crystals, cockles & mussels
Thursday – the morning is bright with clear blue skies so decide to go for an early walk down the main street. There is a marina of some description on the other side of the street and I head for that until I see that there is a rather hungover looking gentleman sleeping it off on one of the benches.
As I approach he wakes up and starts to talk. I am no mood for a chat with him, and my nice morning walk has been spoilt by this person of little regard so a quick diversion back to the other side of the road and I continue on my way to discover the town. There are quite a few people walking before breakfast. I find the stone tower that we saw yesterday in our walking tour.
HISTORY LESSON: Reginald’s Tower is a circular tower, part of the town’s defences, built in the beginning of the 13th century, with a second phase in the 15th century. It was also used as a mint, a prison and a military store. It has been restored and now houses exhibitions.
Back for breakfast and then our coach awaits to take us to our first stop of the day – the Waterford Crystal Showroom. Very pretty and pricey crystal objects – just a little spending spree this time – under the Wedgwood principal – you got to have Waterford Crystal from Waterford – so I buy a really lovely small crystal Irish Harp.
I am also very careful not to knock anything over. The Crystal chandeliers are something to see, they sparkle like diamonds and some of them are so huge. Very palatial I must say although I would hate to be the one to clean the buggers!
On to Kilkenny to see the castle and grab some lunch.
The town is really busy – lots of Summer tourists and I wander around the streets of Kilkenny for a bit. There is a small food market where there are a few food stalls with locally grown fruit and veg that all looks scrumptious. Buying some fruit and a drink it’s then a short walk to Kilkenny Castle.
Lovely grounds that you can wander free of charge – you can also buy a ticket and go inside the castle to have a look around but I think – no I’m castled out at the moment. It is a lovely day so I sit on the lawn under a tree – relax and eat my lunch.
There is a display of recyclable figures made out of cans and junk that represent I don’t know what. They have been positioned right at the front of the castle – that’s a good thing – NOT!!! Apparently they are coming down under to Alice Springs – (there must be a reason for that). Anyway the grounds are nice – the sky is bright blue (make the most of it) – and the day is hot!!!
Leaving Kilkenny we head north east to Dublin for our 2 night stay at the Camden Court Hotel. Comfortable and clean room and just have time for a bath and a quick bit of TV to catch up on the news. Some of the group have decided to meet up in the bar downstairs (read have some Bacardi Breezers) before we head off for yet another optional dinner.
Some trivia – The Camden Court Hotel bar is named “Piseogs” (pronounced “pisch oog”) which means an old Irish story or legend.
#11 OPTIONAL: Dinner at Irish Pub – Cost ₤27.00
Now this is billed as dinner at an old pub (circa 1770) WITH ENTERTAINERS. Two young guys – one on a guitar and one on a fiddle do not constitute entertainers for my mind. They play a couple of tunes and are gone disappearing behind a curtain hanging to cover the kitchen. The meal – I can’t remember what it was – must have been OK because I didn’t get ill; and that’s about the only good point of the visit.
The area around the pub is lousy – nowhere to walk around. Our views from the window overlooks the water – flat as a tack – and the railroad yards. Overall a very disappointing evening – very overpriced for what I got – but still – – – I get this great photo – – it is hanging on the wall of the pub and it is an advertisement for a stud bull!
‘Satisfaction of both parties assured!’
What can I say to that? It was the best part of the night! Coach back to the hotel. Looking forward to a great night’s sleep after the disappointment of the dinner.