This morning we took to the streets of Galway, parking the car and walking. Parking is interesting. When you park, you must look for a nearby sign that says you need a ticket. Then, you must locate a ticket box, somewhere in the vicinity. There, you purchase a ticket for the amount of time you want to park. Actually a good idea, but confusing to us foreigners! We finally got the hang of it, and our car did not get booted! We walked down the streets that are marked for pedestrians only! Nice shops, pubs, and restuarants. Flowers are hanging everywhere with almost every window having a window box. Just lovely! Love this Emerald Isle and its flowers!Our first stop was to find Lynch's Castle. Disappointment! It is now a bank and not much to see of a castle but a facade! Took a photo anyway, but won't waste room here.
Next we went to St. Nicholas' Cathedral. The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland. The church was founded in 1320 and is still used today. Rumor has it (and this is strictly rumor!) that Christopher Columbus is said to have prayed there before sailing for America. The Connaught Rangers ("the Devil's Own") was an Irish Regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 and disbanded in 1922 when Ireland became independent. There are many plaques, honoring dead rangers and their very old banners from different battles are displayed. The stained glass windows in this church are absolutely beautiful. 
Our next stop was the Spanish Arch. We had been told an exciting story about a young Irishman who fell in love with a beautiful girl from Spanish Royalty. Her family would not accept him so he returned to Ireland and built the arches to woo her family. FALSE! The arches actually had nothing to do with the Spanish, but it does make a good story! They were built in 1584 to protect the town's quays (pronounced keys) or wharfs! Those Irishmen do love their tales!
After the Spanish Arches we stopped at a pub called The Quays for some coffee. This pub was 400 years old! The entry was a bit dingy, but when you went back inside it was absolutely beautiful with old wood work, arches and leaded glass windows! The waitress told me that there were tales that it had once been a church or nunnery, but she didn't believe it. I do because it was just too beautiful for a pub!
The firebox inside The Quay.
As we walked around 2 signs grabbed my attention. First, for you folks from Waller and Hempstead. Now we really know what happened to Cactus Jacks!
We didn't try it out, but I am sure they have a huge bowl of guacamole on their dinner buffet!
This sign especially hit home:
The name "Liam", my new grandson, abounds in Ireland! And, I must say that every Liam I meet is a wonderful fella!
Our next stop was quite a surprise. We had met 3 young girls at Blarney Castle. Remember, the one was afraid of heights? We talked about where we had been, where we were going, etc. They told us about this crystal shop outside of Galway in Moycullen that we MUST go to. We had the time today, so off we went (besides our parking time had way expired!) The name of the shop and factory is Celtic Crystal. Mary, the Managing Director and Designer gave us the tour of the showroom. She started the business in 1972. They do not distribute to any stores. The products can only be purchased there or ordered. Several of her pieces have won awards all over the world. This piece is comprised of 3 pieces and weighs 103 pounds and took the master 26 weeks to complete it. We were fortunate enough to meet this master whose name was Donall Madden, Gaelic for Daniel. He demonstrated how to make a small candy bowl. Incredible to see it happen! To become a crystal maker, they must first have an outstanding degree in art and design. Then they are accepted for a 5 year apprenticeship. At this point they can cut clear glass only. To cut the colored pieces (red, blue, green or amethyst) they must do 2 more years of an apprenticeship. 
Here is Donall before he begins with just a plain glass bowl. The bowl just has some black lines drawn on it like a grid. He then turns on the grinding wheel, with dripping water and begins to make cuts. He was very sure of himself and the piece began to take shape.
All of the Celtic Crystal is based on the drawings from the Book of Kells. They tell the history of the Irish people. All the pieces are finished with an Irish rose on the bottom. After the cuts are made with 2 different grinders, then the piece is dipped in acid to complete the product.
The colored pieces are much more rare and are much more difficult to make. They are actually 2 layers of glass, and the cutter must actually cut without being able to see what he is doing. It is so hard on their eyes that they are only allowed to make so many colored pieces a year.This trip has made me appreciate crystal even more.
After roaming around the city we finally found the Corrib Princess that would take us on a cruise of the River Corrib. It was a nice relaxing trip, something we had not done--relax! We did see some sites up the river. One was pillars from the old rail line that had been destroyed by the Germans for the steel in them. We also saw Galway University, started in 1845, the building of which helped supply jobs for many starving Irishmen during the famine. Now it has over 12,000 students, attending for FREE! American education could learn something from these Irishmen! We saw Jordan Island where a sect of Anti Baptists (not sure I heard the guide correctly on this one!) once lived. This sect was Cromwellians, so were not well liked by the Irish. We saw Terryland Castle, built in the 1500's and occupied by the Blakes. One story goes that one of the Blakes, Valentine Blake over spent a great deal. A warrant for his arrest was issued. It was law then that you could not be arrested on Sunday, so that was the day that Valentine chose to go out, always returning to his castle (and protection) by midnight. Thus, he was known as the "Cinderella of Galway" Then he found out that if he became a member of Parliament that he could not be made to pay his debts, so that is what he decided to do. The problem was that he could not go out and campaign. Then he discovered another loop hole. As long as he was in a boat he could not be arrested, so guess where he did all his campaigning from!
And, believe it or not, he WAS elected to Parliament in the late 19th century. Wonder if any of our politicians went into the "business" for that purpose?
We ended the evening eating at KC Blakes, a delightful restaurant. I must give them a plug, or at least their method of cooking steak. Anyone heard of Steak Stones? Fabulous way to cook your meat, and delicious. Here is the web site if anyone is interested! www.steakstones.com I hope to buy some when I get home!
Tomorrow we head back to Dublin to catch our plane for home on Wednesday morning. A few stops on the way and then lots of packing, repacking, and organizing to be done tomorrow night. Also have to get our tax refund! As you shop in Ireland, you ask the clerk for the refund form. Then at the airport you will get back part of the tax you have paid. Pretty excited about that but it looks like some paperwork to do!
With all this, I'll close from the Emerald Isle. We had rain today, lots of cold rain, but at least it waited until after our boat ride. Hope we have good weather tomorrow. I am still looking for that rainbow with the pot of gold....no luck so far! .....d
Just had to include the baby swan! Isn't he precious?
No comments:
Post a Comment