June 2-Waterford

We awoke and were already anchored. Boats get lowered so quietly we had no idea we had arrived.

Passengers were tendered into Dunmore East, a small fishing village. The town of Waterford was about 10 miles upriver. Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland.

Waterford is a walled city of Viking origins founded in the 9^th century (circa 914) and was taken over by Strongbow, the Norman invader, after much bloodshed, in 1170. The city resisted Oliver Cromwell’s 1649 attacks- his phrase “by Hook or by Crooke” refers to his two siege routes here, one via Hook Head, the other via Crooke Village on the estuary.

The city fell the next year and did not prosper again until 1783 when George and William Penrose set out to create “plain and cut flint glass, useful and ornamental,” and thereby set in motion a glass-manufacturing industry without equal. The town retains much of its medieval character together with the graceful buildings from its 18th century expansion.

Many of the familiar Waterford crystal patterns, Tramore and Lismore especially, r

eflect the names of small towns around Waterford. The crystal production factory, located on the banks of the River Suir closed early of 2009, and there are plans to open what was t

he museum portion we saw years ago as a Visitors Center. Unfortunately it was not yet opened. When we were in the Czech Republic we visited a crystal factory and the crystal was just as intricate and beautiful as Waterford….but way cheaper because of the difference in labor costs. No wonder Waterford had trouble maintaining their place in the industry.

The parameters of the 10th century settlement can be clearly identified in The Viking Triangle. Reginald's Tower is the most historic urban medieval monument in Ireland.

The elegant Chamber of Commerce building, the City Hall and the Bishop's Palace are prime examples of beautiful

18th century architecture.

The town of Lismore was originally a monastic settlement founded in the 7th Century by St. Carthage, a Heritage Town, it was the centre of ecclesiastical and temporal power for centuries. Many other interesting small communities are around.

We had a lazy afternoon and a wonderful dinner at Signatures Restaurant. The sunset in the evening was so beautiful. We had never seen the clouds get that wrinkled effect before.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises continues to exceed our expectations. They do a great job!

As our journey is coming to an end, we begin to look homeward. We have two more days to tour and then home. We are so aware of all that is our there to see in the world and are grateful for the opportunities we have had to see much of this wonderful world. Thanks be to God!