Tuesday 9 December 2008, Kilkenny - Tramore, Ireland
Well we didn't get very far today. Did some grocery shopping thismorning as prices at cafes are pretty expensive, so hopefully the few bits and pieces we got will tie us over for a little bit. The big purchase of the day was a jar of vegemite at a health food shop. Yes this is the stuff they ban in the U.S. for some unknown reason (probably too much vitamin B in it, or it doubles as bomb making material), so while salivating, ran to the shop to get some butter and some bread, back to the hostel, bread in the toaster, butter & vegemite at the ready, toast done, butter & vegemite on, and before the butter could melt, toast in the mouth. OMG, didn't realise how much we were missing it. We also did a tour of Kilkenny Castle. Its a beautiful castle with magnificent grounds. The tour is good and goes into detail about the Butler Family who until 40 years ago had lived in the Castle for 400+ years.
We then headed to Waterford where Waterford Crystal is made. It was 3pm but there were no tours as the workers finish early in winter. We watched a 10min DVD while we were there which went into a little detail of the makings of crystal and it was pretty impressive. Every piece is hand blown and carved.
Our plan was then to head onto Cork but it was now getting late and as the sun goes down at 5pm we stopped in Tramore at the Beach Haven Hostel. This is pretty much a summer seaside town, with a lovely long beach. You can just imagine it being standing room only down by the dock during summer, but on our cold winters evening we were it. Had very very tasty fish and chips at Dooleys, followed up with a pint of Bulmers and Guinness at the Old Vic. Tramore is a lovely place, no street signs, helpful people. While we were at the pub we were talking to the publican who had said that 600 had just been laid off at a factory where pork is processed. Ireland is going into a recession and it is the worst time for them just before Christmas. Pictures - Kilkenny Castle, The Boardwalk in Tramore, and a message to the youth.
Well we didn't get very far today. Did some grocery shopping thismorning as prices at cafes are pretty expensive, so hopefully the few bits and pieces we got will tie us over for a little bit. The big purchase of the day was a jar of vegemite at a health food shop. Yes this is the stuff they ban in the U.S. for some unknown reason (probably too much vitamin B in it, or it doubles as bomb making material), so while salivating, ran to the shop to get some butter and some bread, back to the hostel, bread in the toaster, butter & vegemite at the ready, toast done, butter & vegemite on, and before the butter could melt, toast in the mouth. OMG, didn't realise how much we were missing it. We also did a tour of Kilkenny Castle. Its a beautiful castle with magnificent grounds. The tour is good and goes into detail about the Butler Family who until 40 years ago had lived in the Castle for 400+ years.
We then headed to Waterford where Waterford Crystal is made. It was 3pm but there were no tours as the workers finish early in winter. We watched a 10min DVD while we were there which went into a little detail of the makings of crystal and it was pretty impressive. Every piece is hand blown and carved.
Our plan was then to head onto Cork but it was now getting late and as the sun goes down at 5pm we stopped in Tramore at the Beach Haven Hostel. This is pretty much a summer seaside town, with a lovely long beach. You can just imagine it being standing room only down by the dock during summer, but on our cold winters evening we were it. Had very very tasty fish and chips at Dooleys, followed up with a pint of Bulmers and Guinness at the Old Vic. Tramore is a lovely place, no street signs, helpful people. While we were at the pub we were talking to the publican who had said that 600 had just been laid off at a factory where pork is processed. Ireland is going into a recession and it is the worst time for them just before Christmas. Pictures - Kilkenny Castle, The Boardwalk in Tramore, and a message to the youth.
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