My great uncle, a lifelong Dubliner himself, graciously took Jacob and me down to Waterford. We sat low through the Irish countryside in one of those classic black European Audis that you see in films. The ride down was lovely and was filled with vast pastoral fields of emerald green occupied by horses, sheep, and cattle roaming mindlessly. We arrived into the river city and went straight to the the grave sight of Blessed Edmund Rice at Mount Sion. Before Holy Cross, both Jacob and I went to Catholic Memorial, which is a Christian Brother’s school in Boston, so it was humbling and wonderful to visit the place where it all started. Edmund Rice’s coffin was placed in the chapel, so we conveniently said a prayer and headed to lunch.
We went for a bite and a pint at Granville Hotel, which was situated on the edge of the River Suir. It was an old-fashioned pub with dark mahogany walls filled with paintings of horses and past soldiers. We had roast beef and mashed potatoes with butter-glazed green beans. After lunch, we walked around the narrow streets of Waterford and stumbled upon the original glass factory that is famously known for its crystal.
Although the factory was closed, the shop wasn’t, so we went inside and checked out the fancy glass. It was a little above our price range so we just peered around. Once we had finished admiring the crystal, we continued our walk around the medieval city until we arrived back at the car. It was a simple and relaxed day, but one well spent away from the bustling city of Dublin. Thanks, Uncle David!
