IRISH ODYSSEY - DAY 3

IRISH ODYSSEY ... DAY 3 ... JUNE 28 2012...

And the rain continued.  It rained sometime every day, most of the time just a drizzle, or just a lot of moisture in the air.  We wore jackets (it was cool) and raincoats (it was wet) every single day. 

Also it stayed daylight until 11 p.m., and was getting daylight at 4 a.m.  But neither the coolness, the wetness, or the lightness interfered with our trip, and the wonderful sights and the fun we had.  I would not hesitate to do this trip again.

And so, it is day 3 of the odyssey.  Suitcases in the hallway at 6 a.m.  Breakfast at 7 a.m.  On the bus at 8 a.m.  Nancy and I always like the back of the bus, guess we are a little strange.  We had seat rotation, but as the bus had empty seats asked Bob if we would be thrown off the tour if we took the back seats every day.  He said go right ahead.

And so, as Nancy phrased it, we "took up housekeeping " in the back, each of us had an entire seat to ourselves.  Way to go!!!

This was the day we visited the Dunbrody Famine Ship (known as the coffin ships) in New Ross, and Waterford Crystal at the House of Wateford in Waterford.  Waterford was along the River Suir, near the city's Viking Triangle.  Bet you can't begin to guess what town we were in!

First we toured the Dunbrody Famine Ship.  It is an exact replica of the actual Dunbrody.  At the time of the potato famine in Ireland during the 1800's, millions of people starved to death, and thousands more boarded the "famine" ships to set sail to America and Canada.

 
As most of the folks were in poor health to begin with, many perished on the voyage, hence the name "coffin ships".  There were a couple of "first class" cabins on board on the upper part of the ship, and in steerage (just one long room, with double bunks lining the walls of the ship) where the poor class were housed.  Not a pretty picture. If you were unlucky enough to get a lower bunk, and the folks in the upper bunk became sea-sick - well you can use your imagination.

During the tour we had the privilege of hearing "first-hand from one of the steerage passengers" about the conditions in steerage.  She was dressed as a woman would be dressed in the 1800's, with her "baby" in her arms and told us about the conditions, the food, the smell,  and the at-sea burials.

Secondly we had a well dressed, very snooty, upper-class woman who told us about her "hardship" being in a first class cabin, and "how difficult it was" when they opened the hatches to steerage, and she had to put up with the smell.

From there we had lunch, and our odd couple were still unpacking their sandwiches and fruit while the rest of us bought our lunches. 

Next stop was the House of Waterford, where we got the grand tour, watching them heating and blowing the glass, placing it in the molds, the entire process of glass making to the finished product and the showroom.

I was fortunate as about 100 years ago I was employed by Brockway Glass, in their office, in the  training department and while there I learned a lot about glass-making.

We ended our tour in the show-room, and I sure didn't get close to any of the glass.  The prices were way out of my reach.  No, I didn't bring any Waterford Glass home with me.

From there we arrived in Cork City and checked into our hotel, The River Lee.  I had some free time, so went walking, taking pictures.  One of the best places were on the grounds of the local college, and the homes near-by.  What a wonderful, fascinating day.

The above are of the Riverlee Hotel.  The next will be some of the views of Cork.

And finally some taken on the campus of the college.

Nancy went shopping.  She shopped everywhere we stopped.  She did a lot of her Christmas shopping on the trip.  Her suit cases were packed to the gills with shopping.  She had the reputation with our group of being a "Master Shopper".  Whenever she was missing, I was asked if she was shopping again.  The answer was always "YES".

Supper was at 7, the meal usually lasted at least an hour, then we retired.  As we would only be one night at the River Lee, it would be suitcases out at 6 a.m. in the morning, we called it a day.

And so day 3 came to an end - 9 more to go.  Seemed like a lot, but they flew by. 

Now the trip is just a memory.  But a good memory.  I hope you are enjoying travling the odyssey with me, hopefully someday you will have an odyssey of your own and God Bless.