Private Tour of Ireland


 This evening, I am reprising a one day section of a small group, private tour of Ireland.

 

 

Cork Waterfront

First, we departed our lodgings at Anderson’s Quay, Cork and proceeded as follows:

  • To the historic town of Waterford in the S.E. of Ireland. First stop was the House of Waterford Crystal where we toured the factory and showroom.Here we were able to view work in progress including the Blowing and Furnace Room, Finishing,, Cutting Room, Sculpting and Engraving and the Exhibition & Retail Store. This was an excellent experience. It was pleasing to see that Waterford Glass was again being manufactured on site after a gap of time due to financial problems. 

Here is a video clip of the Furnace Room

 

 

Blower

 

Stem Chair


Finishing Waterford Crystal

Retail

  • Next we visited the waterfront and Reginald’s Tower. This is circular in construction and was originally built as part of the town’s defences dating back to the 13th century, albeit on a much older Viking era site. The Tower was embellished in the 15th century.

 

Reginald's Tower

  • Reginald's Tower is located close to the waterfront where the River Suir enters the Celtic Sea. We had a walk along the front and then a light lunch before moving on to our next target of Wexford.
  • En-route to Wexford we had a brief stop at New Ross to view the Dunbrody, a restored sailing ship which carried migrants from Ireland in the 19th century. New Ross is also famous for J.F. Kennedy connection.


 Dunbrody

  • Next, we duly arrived Wexford where we enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront at Wexford Harbour and then some refreshment.
  • Finally, we moved on to our target of Dublin Liffey Valley where we duly arrived late this evening after a journey of about two hours.

Weather today was benign and sunny which helped our progress and enjoyment. Tomorrow we are off to Newgrange prehistoric site and Dublin City.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more