Monday, April 27:
Today, we departed Killarney and made our way to Waterford. Gathering for breakfast the mountains in the view were covered with a dusting of snow. Once our bags were packed and all were on the coach, we noticed rain drops started to fall. On our way to Waterford we stopped at the Blarney Castle. My last visit to kiss the Blarney stone was a wet one! It was my hope that things would clear up and we would have a lovely day. By the time we arrived, my hopes were granted. 

Arriving at the Castle, we had a number who were planning to climb the 127 steps to carry out that which many before have done - Kiss the Blarney Stone! Once at the top - you line up for the little opening shown in the picture. When you arrive, you are gently laid back and essentially "kiss the blarney stone" with your head leaning over the opening and kissing the stone with the top of your head pointed toward the ground. The bars underneath the opening have been added since the time I kissed it. There were a few that kissed it that didn't need to add to their "gift of gab". :) 

After visiting the castle, the gardens were quite nice. There was a special section for poisonous plants (i.e. rhubarb, wormwood, opium poppy, marijuana). Then, not to be missed - shopping! Ugh! The biggest hit was the Blarney Woolen Mill Outlet. Along with shopping, folks had a bite of lunch (soup from the pub or snacks picked up at the breakfast bar) before we continued on our journey. 

Our next stop was Waterford. Along the way we had rain and some hail. It was nice to be on the coach out of the elements. Arriving in Waterford, we went to the House of Waterford Crystal. A time to visit the "facilities" was provided prior to our factory tour. The tour provided us an opportunity to see each stage of the development of Waterford Crystal: wooden mould making, crystal blowing and furnace, crystal marking, cutting, and quality inspection and finishing. Other stages showed us crystal sculpting, engraving and design inspiration. Following the tour, we visited the retail store which houses the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. 

Leaving the House of Waterford Crystal, we took a walking tour of the historic city of Waterford. The wind was blowing and folks were freezing. Waterford is Ireland's oldest center of continuous urban settlement in Ireland and is consequently Ireland's oldest city. In 914, the great viking adventurer and pirate, Regnall, a grandson of Ivor the Boneless, established a base in Waterford and built a longphort or ship's haven, which would in time become a modern city. Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland and is one of the most remarkable Viking buildings still in existence in Ireland. The present tower was built on the site of the original Viking fort named after Regnall who founded the city in 914. During its lifetime, the tower has been used as a royal court, mint and a prison. Next to the tower was a replica of a Viking ship which was launched in Waterford city on the 25th of November, 2012. The vessel is modeled on one of the famous Viking ships found at Roskilde, in Denmark. An analysis of the wood used in its construction shows that one of these ships came from the Dublin area in Ireland with timbers felled in 1042 - 1043 A.D. In about the year 1070 the inhabitants of Roskilde scuttled five ships in the narrow mouth of their fjord, in an attempt to barricade themselves against attacks by their fellow Vikings. 

Following the tour, we made our way back to the hotel to check-in and have dinner. We stayed at The Tower Hotel across the street from the Tower. At dinner, we had a choice of shepherd's pie (with lamb), a fish duo (salmon and haddock), or risotto. At the end of the meal we celebrated Beth Jones birthday. 

Tomorrow, we head to Dublin!