The Land I Love So Well

Stardate 67302.1

20:45 - On our last day in Ireland, we drove from Killarney to Dublin. We drove along the southern coast line of Ireland because we wanted to go to Waterford. The Southern shores of Ireland seemed to be way more populated than the Northern parts we visited earlier in the trip.  So while we were technically outside of a city, we were far from being in the country.

We wanted to go to Waterford to check out the legendary crystal factory. Originating in 1783, the Waterford Crystal Factory came about because of Waterford was a large port town that could procure fine flint glass. This glass is needed to make the hand-etched crystal pieces.
The factory has changed many hands since then, but they still make crystal in Waterford as well as Slovenia, Czech Republic and Germany. Each craftsman spends years apprenticing with Waterford before they are allowed to work the line. There are not many openings for the positions in the crystal factor because turnover is so low. Rob and I got to play with one their creations, a replica of the  BCS National Championship trophy. We did not drop the crystal ball, but we came close.

We did our touring and our shopping before heading up to Dublin. We still had one crazy night left in Ireland and we made use of it. We start out at this small pub called The Brew Dock which specialized in Irish craft beers, found our way to an underground hardcore/punk show, and ended up in a hotel with a train running through it.  All the way making friends.

Connolly Station