We hit the road out of Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) after a nice Irish breakfast … although the Irish breakfast at that one London hotel a couple of years ago could have fed a few more Irishmen than this.
We headed south to Waterford of worldwide fame for its crystal. It was only a two hour drive, so we took a detour into the town of Carlow (Ceatharlach), seat of County Carlow.
Fr. Kerry knew a few priests who came to Sydney from Ireland went to the seminary in Carlow. We parked the car and walked about town. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was a short walk from the town center, seat of the bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. See the iron sculpture in the town square fountain below.
After lunch, we headed south to Waterford (Port Láirge), seat of County Waterford, and stayed at Dooley’s Hotel on Merchant’s Quay in downtown Waterford.
Just down the street from the hotel on the quay was a monument for all who fought for Irish freedom. It was an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Dinner was at Emiliano’s in the Viking Triangle. Dessert was 3 scoops of gelato–chocolate, vanilla, strawberry. Nice that the waitstaff, all men, actually spoke Italian to each other … makes you think they served authentic Italian cuisine, which did taste authentic.
The next morning, we walked down the quay past the Freedom memorial to the House of Waterford Crystal. First we had to stop by the viking ship and Reginald’s Tower in the Viking Triangle.
I took one photo in the House of Waterford Crystal — Excalibur. Everything else was wine glasses, pitchers, vases, candle stands and tournament trophies. They did have a small selection of gifts under 100 Euros … but I wasn’t sure I could pay the insurance to get it across the Atlantic in my luggage.
We visited the Bishop’s Palace across the street from the House of Waterford Crystal.
Lunch at the Munster Bar. Then we hit the road for Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh).
Rolo B Castillo © 2015
middlechildcatholicpriest 