QUEST 33: ‘EIRE THE GREAT’ ‘THE IRISH LINE’ DAY TEN.

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February 22, 2022

“A three night stay in a very rural and scenic area and this view greeted me from my bedroom window this morning!”

“Time to breath…”

Tuesday 21st September 2021: Day Ten Waterford: What could be more exciting than a whole day of historical adventures in the bustling and vibrant city of Waterford! Waterford is full of trails, museums and acivities that connect to it’s historic past, its seafaring ways and of course its viking connection, all of which make it the fascinating city it is today. Lots to explore in the city’s historic streets and waterfront with some gorgeous and unique little shops and cafes to linger in – i can just smell that espresso!

The name Waterford comes from the old norse ‘Port Láirge’ meaning “ram (wether) fjord”) and is a city in County Wexford in the south-east of Ireland, in the province of Munster. The city is situated at the head of Waterford Harbour and is the oldest and the fifth most populous city in Ireland. According to the 2016 Census, 53,504 people live in the city, with a wider metropolitan population of 82,963. Viking raiders first established a settlement near Waterford in 853. It and all the other longphorts were vacated in 902, the Vikings having been driven out by the native Irish. The Vikings re-established themselves in Ireland at Waterford in 914, led at first by Ottir larla (Jarl Ottar) until 917.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford

Waterford Treasures. Medieval Museum: Wow! What can i say – what a stunning and fascinating museum to visit! It actually consists of the Three Museums in the Viking Triangle, situated in the heart of Ireland’s oldest city. Three museums within a few paces of each other tell the 1100 year old story of Waterford from its foundation in 914 AD by Viking sea pirates. The massive stone fortress, Reginald’s Tower, houses Waterford’s Viking treasures. The Medieval Museum, the only purpose built museum specialising in medieval history in Ireland, showcases spectacular treasures from the Middle Ages. The elegant Bishop’s Palace, dating from 1743, is the home of the treasures of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. We were there a long time and so i will allow the photos to speak for themselves…but further historical info is in the museum link below:

https://www.waterfordtreasures.com/

The colourful history of Waterford – warts and all! <click to view>

The Viking Museum is housed in Reginald Tower, the oldest building in civic use in Ireland, said to date from 1003 A.D. The museum houses extensive artifacts, plus a video screening. The Medieval Museum includes two medieval chambers, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayors Wine Vault and a surviving peice of clothing worm be Henry VIII, a cap of maintenance, awarded to the Mayor of Waterford, along with a bearing sword, in 1536. The Bishop’s Palace Mueum is a 250 year old Geogian structure, containing artifacts from 17th century Waterford to the present day. The Anglo-German architect Richard Cassels designed the palace, which was constructed in 1741. Many artifacts and manuscripts and histories ect can be seen in the photos above.

Grail Bloodline Connections:

All connections and references will relate here

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, New Ross, County Wexford: New Ross and this beautiful church were just a few miles away and our next port of call. New Ross was very colourful and quite ‘arty’ with very vibrant painted buildings and plenty of street art and after our visit to the church we fould a lovely little resturant for a home cooked meal. New Ross in Irish is Ros Mhic Thriúin, formerly Ros Mhic Treoin, and is a town in southwest County Wexford, located on the River Barrow, near the border with County Kilkenny. In 2016 it had a population of 8,040 people, making it the fourth-largest town in the county. The port town of New Ross dates from the pre-Middle Ages. The earliest settlement in this area dates to the 6th century when St. Abban of Magheranoidhe founded a monastery in what is now Irishtown. The original earthen banked circular enclosure of his monastery was visible around the graveyard until it was removed by the council.

The colourful streets of New Ross <click to view>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Ross

St Mary’s church was built in 1210 on the site where St. Abban built a monastry in the 6th century. It was was founded by William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke or his wife Isabel de Clare, a daughter of Strongbow. The bells were stolen in 1654 by a Liet-Col Beale, during the Irish Confederate Wars. Divine Service was performed at St. Mary’s until 1811 or 1812, when the west aisle was demolished to make room for the modern church. Many stories are associated locally with the ruins, including one about a soldier who entered the “Black Hole” under an archway with his dog; only the dog returned. In another, a man who attempted to take the cross out of the old chancel had his brains dashed out.

The outside of St Mary’s Church New Ross showing some beautiful carvings and mosaic <click to view>

It is now a Church of Ireland building that now occupies the site the nave of the old building; only the chancel and trancepts survive. The chancel has an aumbry, sedilia, piscina, tomb canopy, and two doorways: one transitional and one Gothic. There are three lancet windows in the east gable. The old chancel and the north and south transepts contain one of Ireland’s largest collections of medieval funerary. One features a cross with Lamb of God, symbolism associated with the Knights Templar. Another rarity is a woman buried next to both of her husbands, a rarity in the Middle Ages.

Many stunning artworks and artifacts on display in St Mary’s Church, New Ross <click to view>

Grail Bloodline Connection:

Earl William Neville: 4th Earle of Abergavenny (5th Great Uncle) 1792-1868

“As we had a very busy day and took many lovely photos, i shall leave day ten as it is and not add another day. Returning back to our digs, almost on the coast this time, we took time out to chill before a 5 minute ride back to our digs…”