Waterford Ireland

Day 97/Ireland 30

Travelled:64km from Hook Lighthouse to Waterford

Visited:Waterford, Waterford Crystal €14.50pp

Stay:Waterford parking €3.60pday N52.2567 W7.1076

We followed the Hook Ring Road up to New Ross, stopping in Duncannon for breakfast.

 We decided not to stop in New Ross and crossed the Barrow River and continued to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. The great Viking Regnall founded the town in 914, however in 1170 the city was captured by the Anglo Normans. Extensive fortified walls were built and the city became southeast Ireland’s main seaport. From the 18th century local industry flourished including glassworks - Waterford Crystal, which is known world wide. 

After parking up we headed into town and did the tour of the Waterford factory. Here they melt over 750tons of crystal a year, mainly producing pieces that have been especially commissioned ie sporting trophies or for marking special occasions. The original factory was founded in 1783 but closed due to draconian taxes in 1851. It took nearly 100 years for it to reopen in 1947 and it managed to thrive until 2009, eventually being bought by a luxury goods group -WWRD Group Holdings. 

This champagne flute holds 135 litres ... now that a glass!

Wooden moulds are used for ‘one offs’ which are used 3 times - the finished product, a spare and an exhibition piece. Cast iron moulds are used for pieces that are made often.

The glass crystal is melted then blown into shape whilst in the mould. (33% red lead, Silca sand and potash)







Checking the piece before it is put in the furnace. 

The piece is then checked for any imperfections. 

Patterns are drawn on the glass as guides for the cutters.



It takes 5 years apprenticeship to perfect the art of cutting.

Modern times with machines taking over although we were told only 7% -93% still hand cut.

Catch! 

This baby was heavy! Worried about dropping it.

Glueing pieces together

The final engraving process. They also sandblast patterns into pieces.
Here are a few of the finished products.

9/11 memorial piece

After the tour we had lunch and a pint at a recommended pub ‘Geoff’s’ in the Apple Market area, whose name derived from the fruit and vegetable trading that took place here.

 We then walked down towards the Suir River. We had a look at the cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, built in 1796 it is Ireland’s oldest Roman Catholic Church and has stunning stain glass windows that are 220 years old. 

Waterford crystal chandeliers and special piece below.

Next we ventured into the part of Waterford that is known as the Viking Triangle. We popped into the Christ Church Cathedral built in 1779 but was the site of the marriage Strongbow (Viking) and Aoife (Anglo Norman) which changed the course of Irish history.

Strongbow and Aoife

Naughty again.

 Reginald’s Tower is Ireland’s oldest civic building having had many different uses throughout its history. Look closely to find a canon ball still lodged in its wall. 

On the way back to Bluey we had a look at the exhibition in the city hall about peoples lives here during 1800 to 2000. 

Today’s journey 

Co.Wexford Ireland

Day 96/Ireland 29

Travelled:145km through Wexford County

Visited:Vinegar Hill (Enniscorthy), Wexford, Kilmore Quay, Hook Lighthouse 

Stay:Hook Lighthouse parking area N52.1239 W6.9305

As we left Arklow this morning we crossed over Ireland’s longest stone bridge with its 19 arches.

We also stopped to have a look at St Micheal’s.

Lovely baptismal font and chapel.

We decided to go back inland to Enniscorthy which had a turbulent past. In 1798 on nearby Vinegar Hill there was a fierce battle between the Wexford pikemen and the British forces. The outcome was that the rebels lost but with great casualties on both sides. We learnt about the history of the time and enjoyed the 360° views of Wexford County. 

We then returned to the coast and walked around Wexford for a couple of hours. The Vikings settled here and it became a thriving port, which continued through to Norman times. The Normans were responsible for the walls built around the town and the Abbey.

 In 1960 they took the roof off the Abbey so they did not have to pay any taxes as it could then classified as a ruin. What a pity.

 A small square near the market hall was named Bull Ring because the Normans used it for bull baiting twice a year. Later in 1649, Cromwell’s men massacred some towns people here. Not a great history for this square. 

Guinness is still popular but there is a rival in this town....

We finished off by walking along the Quay, that unfortunately during Victorian era silted up, so that only smaller boats that farm mussels operate from here now. 

We were pleasantly surprised with Kilmore Quay, with its lovely thatched cottages, small marina and memorial on the foreshore. 

Unfortunately there was no place to stay overnight so we continued on to Hook Lighthouse. 

800 years ago a lighthouse was commissioned here and so it is said to be the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world. We strolled around the grounds and the outbuildings and learnt about the lighthouse and the surrounding area. 

We then faced Bluey into the wind and watched the waves batter the rocks and the sun set into the Irish Sea.