DAY FIVE: Waterford to Tramore

Leaving the Granville Hotel, Waterford.

On the hunt for Reginald's Tower by the River Suir.

The streets are beautiful...

...even when I begin to wander into the wrong end of town.

Coincidently, I pass the Visitor's Centre on the Quay in my search.

Emerald Isle in the Emerald Isle, the Quay, Waterford.

Reginald's Tower is the oldest urban civic building in Ireland, and the oldest monument to retain its Viking name.

To this day, it remains Waterford's most recognisable landmark.

It is believed to be the first building in Ireland to use mortar.

Reginalds Tower is a circular tower, part of the town's defences, built in the beginning of the 13th century, with a second phase in the 15th century. It was also used as a mint, prison and military store. It has been restored and now houses an exhibition. 

On the way out of Waterford - is it possible for a cemetery to be adorable?

When I stopped to look around for signs I saw a rainbow!  (Look closely at the centre of the picture.)

Now on the hunt for some ancient monuments.

I've come to realise that directions in Ireland are always that say to follow.

Went around and around in circles looking for the Ballynageeragh portal tomb but couldn't find it.

On my way to Ballymote to find Waterford's largest standing stone and...

...a mound!

Is that the monolith I see in the distance?

It's beautiful!

The Ballymote Standing Stone (centre) is 3.7m tall is orientated in a WNW-ESE direction.

Sadly, this is as close as I could get to the Curraghmore Stone Circle (the distinctive beech trees in the mid-ground to the centre right of picture).

Crohun cairn on the Comeragh mountain range.

A search for more ancient sites proved fruitless. 

Glengory by the Sea B&B at Glengory, Tramore.

DAY FOUR: Wexford to Waterford

Leaving Auburn Terrace B&B.

Wexford Park was a bit of a disappointment.

With no real plan other than to work my way southwest, I decided to take the Cork exit.  Wonder why it says Cork and not the closer Waterford.

Carrickbyrne Hill was once part of the Jeffares Estate. The oak wood is known locally as ‘Camp Field’. During the 1798 rebellion the insurgents gathered here before marching on New Ross. 

In the E30 at Raheevarren .

Coming into Ballinboola.

Dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States from 1960 to 1963, the Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing.

I have no idea where I'm going.

Approaching Fishertown.

I've decided to take a look at Tintern Abbey.

Tintern Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Tyndyrn) was founded by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow, on 9 May 1131.

The present-day remains of Tintern are a mixture of building works covering a 400-year period between 1136 and 1536.

The abbey is built of Old Red Sandstone, of colours varying from purple to buff and grey. The abbey church is 72 metres (236 ft) long.

I'm such a sucker for gothic church architecture.

An engraving of Tintern Abbey was among the decorations of Fanny Price's sitting room in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that you could go around the abbey! 

In the reign of King Henry VIII, his Dissolution of the Monasteries ended monastic life in England and Wales. On 3 September 1536 Abbot Wyche surrendered Tintern Abbey and all its estates to the King's visitors and ended a way of life which had lasted 400 years.

Behind the abbey.

It was recognised as a monument of national importance and repair and maintenance works began to be carried out. In 1914 the Office of Works was passed responsibility for Tintern, and major structural repairs and partial reconstructions were undertaken — the ivy considered so romantic by the early tourists was removed.

Ballyshack Castle, Ballyshack.

The 15th century Norman castle or tower house, which probably belonged to the Knights Hospitallers.

Looking west towards Waterford.

The ferry terminal to go across Waterford Harbour.

The ferry terminal on the Waterford side looking back towards Ballyshack.

You can't go to Waterford without seeing its most famous export.

The factory where magic is made.

On the hunt for Waterford Cathedral in Cathedral Lane.

The cathedral, once I'd found it, was a bit of a disappointment too.  The lane was more exciting.

Calling it quits for the day at the Granville Hotel, Meagher's Quay, Waterford

View from the Granville across Waterford Harbour.