Traveling Disers are lost and adrift somewhere?

[suzannen]

Okay, okay - so I'll join deadheadbelle for another round. I mean we really should celebrate antkim's new job, right?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

One for me please

 

[castlegazer]

and this is supposed to be a black and tan but I think I need to have a little chat with the bartender.........

 

[edcrbnsoul]

You'll have to see my bartender, much better job.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Originally posted by edcrbnsoul
One for me please

Yummy! I'll have 2.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Tomorrow we should head for Waterford anyone want to go?

Waterford is distinguished by a much admired, very beautiful and richly historic harbor. Hook lighthouse at the eastern entrance, reputedly the oldest lighthouse in Europe, is a sturdy sentinel and in contrast to the softer and more cosy setting on the Western side. The heart of Waterford is crammed with character from its two great cathedrals to colourful off-quay alleyways, elegant shops and a rich array of hotels, restaurants and bars. Its world-renowned crystal places Waterford the equal of many great European centres in flair and artistry. It is a compact city and has been described as the Salzburg of Ireland.

Waterford Castle

Waterford Castle, located 2 miles from Waterford City, is uniquely situated on its own private 310 acre island on the River Suir, surrounded by woodlands and an 18 hole championship golf course. Waterford Castle offers accommodation of a superb standard and is currently the only deluxe hotel in the south east of Ireland.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle was built in 1192 by William Marshall. The castle was bought by the powerful Butler family in 1391, and their descendants continued to live there until 1935. The grounds are well kept and very beautiful. You'll see a rose garden, a fountain, a park and a well kept children's playground in the court yard. Inside the castle is a remarkable Gallery because of its vividly painted ceilings and extensive portrait collection of the Butler family.

Lismore Castle Gardens

The gardens of Lismore are located in Lismore, Co. Waterford. The gardens are set in seven acres within the 17th century outer defensive walls and have spectacular views of the castle. The gardens are believed to be the oldest in Ireland retaining much of their original jacobean form.

The Cosy Thatch Pub

The Cosy Thatch in Kilmeaden is Waterford's most entertaining and friendly pub. The cottage dates from 1475 and was licensed in 1780 as a public house. The pub is were news and entertainment was shared, drink, tobacco, groceries were bought and the dead were waked. The Cosy Thatch continues to fulfill the duty as the local hostelry and the wake tradition to this day.

John F Kennedy Arboretum

Dedicated to the memory of John F Kennedy, President of the United States from 1960 - 1963, the Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing. It covers 623 acres on the southern slopes and summit of Slieve Coillte. It contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world, planted in botanical sequence. A visitor center houses exhibitions and audio visual shows.

St. Canices Cathedral

The 13th Century Cathedral of St. Canices is the second largest Cathedral in Ireland. The architectural style of the Cathedral is early Gothic and it is built of Limestone. The Cathedral has been carefully preserved in its own original style and form. It is richly endowed with many stained glass windows and the east Lancelet window is a replica of the original.

Waterford Crystal

Waterford Crystal designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of crystal objects d'art, stemware and gifts for distribution through out the world. The Waterford Crystal visitor center is home to the worlds largest display of Waterford Crystal, beautifully displayed in their bright, airy retail store.

Mount Congreve Gardens


The gardens of Mount Congreve, situated at a sheltered bend along the River Suir near Waterford at the south eastern coast of Ireland, covers over seven hundred acres. The garden has a world class collection of Magnolias, Camellias, Azaleas, Yakushimanum Hybrids and many more. Mount Congreve, the creation of Ambrose Congreve, is a magnificent landscape on a grand scale.

Dunmore East

Dunmore East, Irelands most picturesque fishing and holiday village in the south east, 16 kilometers from Waterford City. Dunmore East is a village rich in history. For a holiday maker of today looking for a place to stop over night, or for a get away holiday in an area of beauty and tranquility, Dunmore East is the ideal place.

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by edcrbnsoul
You'll have to see my bartender, much better job.

Yeah no kidding, huh?

Ooo, I am all about going to see some castles! Just don't let me buy any crystal - I have too much stuffed into closets doing nothing from our wedding.

 

[suzannen]

See, now I was just going to tell Ed to make sure to bring a truck along behind our limo for all of the crystal I was planning to buy. I'm going to start with some nice Waterford crystal brandy glasses. Nothing feels more elegant than drinking that in such a beautiful glass in front of a fireplace in the middle of winter. Of course, I'll need new Waterford candle sticks to match the mood as well.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Maybe CG can get a waterford baby bottle! Or a sippy cup if babygazer isn't going to need a bottle (dont want to assume)

And yes we will go by the Belleck factory later on during our visit.

 

[castlegazer]

You just didn't marry right. Marry into an Irish family and you will undoubtably be inundated with Belleek and waterford. I don't even like the stuff - I know AGHAST! I have a penchant for Simon Pearce stuff so I can only have so much glass and pottery in my house at once with a two year old. But hey, I will shop till I drop anyways here in Ireland. I just NEED a Waterford Sippy for my son now that you mention it!

Here is some Simon Pearce if you've never seen the work:

 

[edcrbnsoul]

My wife collects Belleck pieces, not a lot but we have some bud vases and the such around.

 

[suzannen]

castlegazer, I also love Simon Pearce stuff. I bought a whole slew of it for my office's board meetings - everything from vases to milk pitchers.

So, is anybody besides me hungry for breakfast?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I am and I had some more Kona flown in from hawaii, although I'm not opposed to drinking tea in Ireland.

Waterford Ireland

Waterford occupies a commanding position at the estuary of the River Suir. An important seaport, the city is also home to the famous glassworks that bears its name.
With its narrow streets and alleyways, Waterford has a distinctly medieval feel. The city’s walls were originally built in 1000 and were further extended by the Anglo-Normans. They are the best-surviving city walls in Ireland after Derry’s. Built by the Normans in the 12th century on the site of a Viking tower, the impressive Reginald’s Tower on the quayside has walls 3 to 4m thick. Over the years it has served as a mint, an arsenal and a prison. Today, the tower is home to Waterford’s civic museum. The Waterford Heritage Street on Grey Friars Street houses a reconstruction of the early city of Waterford as well as a fine display of Viking and medieval artefacts. There is a superb new museum in The Granary on Merchants Quay that boasts an extensive collection of local treasures. No trip to Waterford would be complete without a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory, 1.5 miles south of the city, which provides a unique insight into the special process of crystal-making. Stroll along The Mall – a wide 18th century street stretching back from the river – and admire the fine houses that line it.

Waterford has a wide choice of restaurants and cafes. Check out what is said to be the best Chinese restaurant in Ireland, the Jade Palace at 3-4 The Mall. Pubs are lively and plentiful and often feature live music. You can catch films, plays and exhibitions at The Garter Lane Arts Centre on O’Connell street


Tramore beach in Waterford

 

[castlegazer]

Irish breakfast is served:

Oh, did you mean, an Irish Breakfast involving food?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Since we have Castlegazer with us so we can gaze at castles

Waterford Castle

Lismore Castle

 

[suzannen]

Originally posted by edcrbnsoul
Since we have Castlegazer with us so we can gaze at castles

Good one, Ed!

 

[goofy4tink]

Why am I always the last one to get to wherever we're going??!! Ah well. Wish me a belated happy birthday guys. The big 55 yesterday. No, no stout for me. Just a nice vodka gimlet. Just like last night. Sure am happy to be in Ireland tho. One of my favorite spots to visit via books. What's on the schedule today?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

The first Waterford glass factory was established in 1783 at the west end of the quays of the River Suir, one of the busiest ports in Ireland. The first phase of the business closed in 1851 due to punitive taxes imposed on the raw materials by the British government. In 1947 the factory was revived at the outskirts of the city and to this day the kilns are operational 24 hours, never given the chance to cool down.

Highly skilled workers continue the tradition producing the characteristically heavy crystal, made with red lead, silica sand and potash. The master blower, the master cutter, the master engravers and all of the workers under them come to the company at 17 or 18 years of age and apprentice for 5 to 10 years before acquiring the skills to design, blow, cut and polish the crystal.

Pieces are so heavy because of their 30% lead weight, blown very thick in order to take the distinctive Waterford deep cuts in the glass. The craftsmanship is second to none, and workers are paid only for the pieces that make it to the show room. Each piece is identified by its blower, cutter and polisher, and a bubble,chip, breakage or cutting too deep into the design results in a throw-away. The craftsman must then begin again, even if he has worked on a piece for several hours.

The team of blowers, cutters and engravers is almost entirely men. Waterford Crystal acknowledges that this is because of the many years it takes to apprentice and learn the skills, disrupting plans for child-rearing. 80% of the crystal manufactured here is exported to the United States.

 

[suzannen]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY goofy4tink!!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Happy Birthday Goofy4tink

You can keep the Vase