Day 5: Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin

Waterford Crystal tour
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Our day began with a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory. We had a guide who led us through the factory to various working stations and explained how the crystal was made and what each worker was doing.

There was a live demonstation of crystal blowing and crystal cutting. You were able to ask the workers various questions about their jobs. There is a musuem which showcases the many trophies that the company has made. The tour ended at the gift shop where we were left to browse.

Generations ago the first of my family came to the States from Kilkenny.

Kilkenny Castle
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After everyone had finished shopping we got back on the bus for the drive to Kilkenny. The ride took a bit of time. When we got to Kilkenny we were dropped off at Kilkenny Castle for a short tour. I had been on the tour in 2005 with some friends. Its an interesting tour and a lovely castle but you can't take pictures inside. The castle has lovely grounds and gardens but it was raining so we headed into town.

Generations ago the first of my family came to the States from Kilkenny. My uncle has cancer so we decided to go find Kenny's Well, a local holy well to get some holy water from. I had also been here in 2005 to get him holy water and the well is difficult to find.

Performers at the Abbey Tavern
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We had alot of trouble finding it, we walked around in the rain for nearly an hour before finding it. We got some more water for my uncle and continued on our way. We stopped to take some pictures of the Black Abbey and Kilkenny Castle. We got back in time to meet up with some others on our tour who were shopping in the Kilkenny Design Center, which showcases the work of local artists and craftspeople.

We got back onto the bus for the ride to Dublin. Along the way we went through Athy, County Kildare and saw a Purcell Pub. It was the first pub with my last name on it I've come across in Ireland. I got a few pictures of it so I was pretty happy.

When we arrived in Dublin we were taken to the Berkley Court Hotel to check in and drop off our luggage. We then did a short city-sights tour by bus, we also walked around the Temple Bar district to look at the pubs and monuments in the area before returning to the hotel to shower.

We were having dinner at the Abbey Tavern, which is in Howth about a 20 minute drive from city center. It consisted of a great meal followed by a show with traditional Irish music and dance.