Jaunting Carts, Kilarney Ireland

Kilarney, Ireland offered a wonderful way to see the town and countryside. If you get the opportunity take a Jaunting Cart Ride! It is a horse drawn cart that goes thru town into the countryside and out to see Ross Castle circa 1410. It is a marvelous way to take in some fresh air and enjoy the Ireland countryside. We were fortunate to see a herd of deer. The thatched roof is a dying art and we saw this beautiful example.

Waterford, Ireland

Waterford, Crystal

Waterford is the fifth largest city in Ireland and has been famous for Waterford Crystal for many years. I recently learned while in Ireland that Waterford Crystal is no longer made in Waterford Ireland. Waterford Crystal is now made in many countries in the world. There are also workers that worked for Waterford in Ireland that have opened their own companies using the old Waterford techniques to make quality crystal. There are those that say the “new” Waterford is not the same as the “old” Waterford Crystal, I tend to think it is personal preference in how the piece makes you feel. The town was quaint with lots to offer in the way of shopping.

Dunbroady Famine Ship, Ireland

Dunbrody Famine Ship
If you are a history buff the Dunbrody tour is a must! The reconstructed Dunbrody Famine Ship is open to tours and is quite fascinating. The ship is in the water and gives you the feel of how the passengers lived with the cramped conditions. The highlight of the tour is when Mrs. Annie White, a steerage passenger, and Mrs. Mary O’Brien, first class passenger, join your group to share their stories of passage to America. These actresses did a wonderful historical interpretation performance of life aboard the Dunbrody. Even on a rainy day, this is Ireland afterall, it was a wonderful tour!

Dunbrody Famine Ship is a three masted ship originally built in Quebec in 1845 for the Graves family by Thomas Hamilton Oliver, an Irish emigrant from the County Derry.
The Graves family, of New Ross, were merchants and they commissioned eight
such ships to carry cargo from America and Canada to Ireland. The ship was fitted out with bunks and facilities for passengers desperate to escape Ireland during the Potato Famine. Usually the Dunbrody carried 176 people but in the height of the Famine in 1847 the passengers climbed to 318 in number. The tour guide gives an explanation of the times, the ship and the Potato Famine. For more information about the Dunbrody tours
http://www.dunbrody.com/