Waterford

After a two-hour drive through The Curragh, common land where the sheep graze and have numbers sprayed on the fleece to identify them, we arrived in Waterford, an original Viking settlement, where we had dinner and our first overnight at the luxurious Faithlegg House. The land had belonged to the Aylward Family for 500 years, having been granted to them by King Henry 11 in 1177; they held it until they were dispossessed by Oliver Cromwell in 1654.  The current building was built in 1783.

Faithlegghouse had a great golf course, which Sheila is going to persuade Jim to visit. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and the gluten free provision was excellent. The next night we ate at the local pub called Jack Meade’s. The low ceilings, oak beams and small windows made it a very welcome and traditional venue in which to begin to know the other members of the group, most of whom are very pleasant and very well travelled.

At Jack Mead's Pub in Waterford.

In front of Faithlegg House, ready for the walking tour of Waterford.