3/10 Part 1 - Waterford

Breakfast buffet again at the hotel, and it did not disappoint. In addition to everything else, this places added creamy yogurts and little packets of cheese which made for a nice snack later in the day. 

Breakfast started at 7:15 because by 8:15 we were on our way to the world-famous crystal Waterford factory. Get the credit cards ready!

On the way there Brendan gave us his summation of Brexit, which was sound but I don't remember most of it. I do recall his point that everyone voted with the promise it would happen and now the politicians aren't keeping their part of the bargain. 

He also told us that Waterford Crystal has gone through some changes recently. In 2009 it went into receivership and the actual factory in Waterford closed, ending 600 local jobs. Most of the crystal is now produced outside Ireland in places like Slovenia, Czech Republic and Germany. Bummer. But the factory we are visiting was reopened and some craftsmen came back to make special pieces and provide tours that honor the Irish roots of the company. 

All this was interesting and a nice distraction that outside the bus there were snow flurries!!! Fortunately they didn't last, but during the day we were treated to bouts of rain, wind, and just occasionally sun. 

When we got there we were ushered into a lovely showroom filled with stunning pieces that we didn't have time to look at yet - no worries, this is where we get to buy stuff later. Against one wall is the amazing William Maddock Clock. Maddock was a famous clockmaker who made the inside works sometime around the end of the 1700s or start of the 1800s. Waterford put the works into 48 gorgeously-cut panels of glass, added 250 decorative glass accent pieces, and crowned the whole thing with the Waterford seahorse. 

This room has plaques on the wall with information about the science and craft of crystal. Apprentices worked 5 years with a master craftsman. They had to create a sample bowl (as an end-of-the-year test) and the end of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Their final creation, an Apprentice Bowl, contains all possible cuts used in wedge cutting.

Our guide guided us through the showroom and into another room where the black walls became screens for a short video about Waterford Crystal. At the end the walls turned transparent to show some amazing crystal pieces behind them. Unfortunately that part was way too fast too really see everything. I got a quick look at one of the legendary Waterford chandeliers before the walls turned opaque again and we were ushered out. 

Then we moved into the working heart of the factory (and yes, it is still a working factory). Our guide showed us some of the wooden molds used on some of the trophy pieces - they have a very short lifespan because the hot glass scorches them.

Trophies are a big part of Waterford. In 2007 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the Time’s Square ball drop, a showy new ball was created. It weighs almost six tons and is twelve feet in diameter but what makes it stand out is that is has 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles to catch and refract the light from its 32,256 LEDs. 

On into the next area, where men were doing that almost magical thing, glass blowing. This ancient craft fascinates me and if I wasn't 100% sure I'd burn myself to death, I'd love to do it. 

They make it look so easy - melting, blowing, cutting, shaping, cooling. But these guys have probably been doing this for decades. 

Around the corner we found ourselves on a walkway over the polishing area. This morning several men were polishing large round bowls. Personally I love these a lot. I admire the skill of the cutters, but the perfection of these globes blew me away.

After the bowl is perfectly smooth, another man polishes the top, to be sure the lip is flawless. Yep, I want one!

Off to the side is a bin filled with broken pieces of all kinds of crystal. I guess some times that happens even to the best....

In another area they were working on cut pieces. This one passed Randy and Aaron's inspection.

We walked on to another section where some items are waiting to be cut. On the counters and shelves are pieces with markings where the cuts need to go.

On one table was a jig used to make those marks. It looks surprisingly low-tech for the perfection they are reaching for but this is a largely hand-made process, relying on the eye and skill of the craftsman, so it makes sense. 

We moved on to a room full of finished pieces, casually set about on tables, awaiting their final shipping. The scope of these pieces is amazing. All of these are trophies or set pieces requested by businesses.

Aaron likes to take a hands-on approach, but I think our guide was a little worried about him dropping it.

Our guide told us that true Waterford crystal will always have a little acid stamp of their name on it. It may be on the base or in the grooves and it's small, but it should be there. Pieces made prior to 2000 will use gothic script. Newer pieces will include the trademark seahorse. We finished our tour in the sales room (surprise!) where a wide range of crystal was tastefully arranged, all waiting to come home with us.

So many choices....