Along the route to Spiddal is the ‘Celtic Crystal’ visitor center and factory, it was recommended by our hostess, Vera. The owner, Mary, opened in 1972 and faced competition from the ‘big’ houses, Waterford and 2 others. Now, she is the only one still making hand blown, hand cut crystal in Ireland. We are the only visitors and are treated to a personal tour by the owner with demo by one of the carvers. The company is famous for incorporating Celtic designs and Gaelic motifs into their ornate Irish crystal. We wind up buying a little bud vase whose design commemorates the famine. Very appropriate, as that is why Mary’s family came to America.
Onward to Galway. After a brief walking tour, the rains came – big time! We ended up missing most of the city.
Lunch is along the bay at ‘The Weir’, Kilcolgan, where Moran’s Oyster Cottage and Pub is located. Moran’s is a world-famous Seafood restaurant with a traditional thatched cottage that dates back over 250 years. Wild salmon, Galway flat oysters, crab claws – doesn’t get much better.
