Waterford and Hook Head

 We’re staying about an hour from Waterford, so had to go there.  It’s the oldest city in Ireland, founded by the Vikings around 900 AD.  In fact there are still remnants of buildings, and the wall here from Viking days.


One of the things to do in Waterford is a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory.  It’s amazing to see how the crystal is made, and now we understand why it costs so much!

Our guide led us through the process of how the crystal is made.  From taking the glass from the furnace, 


To marking and etching.  


It really is incredible how manual and intricate the process is.  We saw some beautiful pieces including this one, a smaller version of which is at the World Trade Center to commemorate 9/11.  Yes, this is all of Waterford crystal.


Afterward, we had to find a place to have some lunch, so a shop-owner recommended this place, The Reg, as there was not much else open for lunch.


The reason it’s called “The Reg” is because it’s right beside the Reginald Tower, one of the sites along the Viking trail.  They believe it is named after a Viking “mayor” of the town and has had various forms, from an old Nordic name, to Gaelic, to Anglo-Norman.  Anyway, here’s the tower.


And here are a couple of the Vikings who founded the town of Waterford.  Regigerry and Regibryan.  Yeah, they kinda look the same.


After Waterford, we decided to head out to Hook Head, a little piece of land that juts into the Irish Sea (or a part of it called St. George’s Channel and the Celtic Sea.  A beautiful little piece of Ireland with the oldest active lighthouse in the WORLD.


Some beautiful scenes from here.


They even had a small maze.


A great shot from the drone.


It was a beautiful spot, driving through, again, some beautiful country.  Our car headed back to our place afterward while the other went to grab some groceries before coming back.

John got his drone out and took some pictures of our place.  We’re staying in the back one.  It’s an old Coach House.


Here we all are.

And at the side of the house is a picnic area.  We’re thinking possibly BBQ for dinner tonight.


Another great day!
















Comments

  1. David KraemerSeptember 17, 2022 at 12:27 PM

    I wouldn't mess with Regigerry or Regibryan. Those guys look tough!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Judy HollingerSeptember 18, 2022 at 11:18 PM

    You do such a good job of adding some of the history, Deb. Most of that stuff just goes right over my head.

    ReplyDelete

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