June 29, 2001

A special hello to George Groh, my cousin, who I love like a brother. George's mother, Bernadine, and my mother, Hermine, came to the USA from Germany when they were young women. They raised their sons and prepared food similar to what they had eaten in their homeland, including the sausage and wursts. Anne and Carl tried to convert Edith and Bruce to this way of life with some measure of success. This morning, the Irish breakfast buffet had platters of grilled blood sausage, liver pudding and brat-like wursts (bangers). George mainly eats chicken and fish (especially when his wife is watching), but I know that he would have filled his platter if he were here today.

This morning we went to the Rock of Cashel (near Tiperary), a fortress originally built in the early 12th. century high on the hill with a magnificent view of the surrounding valleys. A cathedral was added in the 13th. Century. Tim, our very enthusiastic tour guide from the Rock, explained that St. Patrick baptized Cormac McCarthy, the ruler of the area, at this church. When St. Patrick thrust his staff to the ground, it pierced Cormac's foot, but he said nothing. Later, when they asked Cormac why he didn't express his pain, he replied that he thought that it was part of the ceremony. Tim told us that all Irishmen believe they are actors or at least are playing out one of life’s great dramas. I'm becoming a believer.

Warning! If you believe that St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, you probably will not want to read the rest of this paragraph. At one time it was possible to get to Ireland and England from the European mainland by the land bridge. When the ice age ended 12,000 years ago, the ocean rose and Ireland was separated by water. The migration of animals ended, and some areas had more than others. There are 12,000 plant and animal species on the mainland, 6,000 in England and 3,000 in Ireland. The snakes never got as far as Ireland (a good story for a cocktail party).

We took a lunch break, and went to a pub (Public House). I had my first draught Guinness in Ireland (a glass rather than a pint). Anne and Edith weren't crazy about it, but I have found my drink of choice (the foam is especially good). We later toured the Waterford Crystal factory in the town of Waterford. It was a good tour and most of the workers who create the glass serve in long apprenticeship programs. They employ 1,600 people and Bruce noticed that we saw no women in the skilled jobs (I'll keep any smart-ass remarks to myself at this time).

Tonight, we are staying at a farmhouse in the country, a bed and breakfast. They separated the 18 members of our tour into three groups. Our family stayed together. Joe and Cheryl who live near St. Louis are with us. They are as nice of a couple as you could hope for (he was named the honorary Earl and got to sit on the throne at the castle banquet last night). We had a wonderful soup, salmon and apple pie for dinner that was prepared by the owner of the farmhouse. (Ever notice how older people talk about food a lot?)

Tomorrow night we will stay in Dublin. I hope that we find an Internet connection. 

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