Waterford Day 2

Woke up this morning and had breakfast at the Atheneum House again before heading back to Waterford. We began today by touring Reginald’s Tower. Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland and was founded by Vikings, later overtaken by Normans. The tower was originally built of wood, but the stone we walked in was built in the 1100’s and was used as a base of operation, Inside housed several Viking artifacts and things tied to the tower. jails, storage for gunpowder, private residence, etc. The third floor was added on in the 1300’s.

The area where Reginald’s Tower is located is called Viking Triangle. After touring the building, we then walked a short stretch of the legs to the Medieval Museum, which housed artifacts from Waterford’s history, including several writs from various British monarchy, weapons and 800 year old Catholic Vestments, which had been hidden in a secret chamber when Oliver Cromwell was coming to attack the city...which he failed at.

We ate tacos because Kate had a hankering for them at a California Taco shop of some type - it was similar to a Chipotle in the states. We wandered around the area a bit, hit some stores, found St Patrick’s Church - the oldest Catholic Church in Ireland and currently housing Geneology information, but still conducting services. It was humbling to see the church - not the grand catherdrals, but almost a quiet, modest building. It’s definitely been updated over the years, but the outside walls and location is the same, as well as several decorations.

Back at the Atheneum, we had dinner, played some card games and an Escape game that we performed miserably at, and everyone took some time to themselves to get some rest before our trip to Dublin tomorrow. Our final two days are upon us….dammit.