Waterford Treasures: three museums in the Viking Triangle

DELVE back in time with a tour that’s bound to bring out your inner Strongbow or Aoife in the most ancient part of Ireland’s oldest city ‘Veðrafjǫrðr’ (Waterford). Waterford not only boasts the House of Waterford Crystal and three museums but features an award-winning walking experience, the Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle. From the Vikings to the Victorians, the one hour all weather trip gets you into six national monuments, including Greyfriars Medieval Franciscan Friary, the Mayor’s Wine Vault and Christ Church Cathedral, all in the capable hands of professional guides.

Comes to life History really comes to life at the award winning Medieval Museum. This stunning modern building incorporates a 13th century Choristers' Hall and a 15th century wine vault. Our professional guides regale visitors with tales of times gone by with the help of a priceless collection of unique artefacts.

Among the great treasures of international importance are the 4 metre long Great Charter Roll dated to 1373, which Queen Elizabeth specifically asked to view on her state visit to Ireland, the only piece of King Henry VIII’s clothing to survive – the ‘Cap of Maintenance’ and the 15th century cloth of gold vestments - the only complete set of High Mass Vestments to survive in Northern Europe.

The story of Waterford Within a few metres of the medieval museum is the beautiful Georgian Bishop's Palace built in 1743. It is here that the story of Waterford from 1700 to the 1970s is told by re-enactors against a backdrop of rare 18th century Irish furniture, glass silver and paintings. The Bishop’s Palace is home to the From the Vikings to the Victorians, the one hour all weather trip gets you into six national monuments only surviving Napoleon Bonaparte’s Mourning Cross and the world’s oldest piece of Waterford Crystal crafted in 1789. Unveiled in 2019 as p a r t o f t h e g u i d e d t o u r , ‘Masterpieces in Glass’ is a re-enactor led experience culminating in a 17 minute 4D presentation detailing the long history of glass making in Waterford and vividly immersing you 18th and 19th century Waterford.

At Reginald’s Tower (named after the Viking chief who founded the city in 941) you can get up close and personal with weapons from a Viking warrior’s grave.

All these attractions are only 15 minutes away from the seaside town of Tramore and Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, 20 minutes from the fishing village of Dunmore East, 25 minutes from the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross and half an hour from the Copper Coast Geo Park.

www.waterfordtreasures.com

Enjoy an authentic eighteenth century Georgian grand residence, the Bishop’s Palace in 1743.

Don’t miss: the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal in the world (1789) and the only surviving gold mourning cross commissioned by Napoleon’s mother on the Emperor’s death in 1821.

Unveiled in 2019, spectacular new 4D Masterpieces in Glass experience.

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Community life as a priest or brother will allow you to learn and grow as a person. As you come to know yourself, you will discover who it is God created you to be.

www.rosminians.ie Matt Gaff ney

Institute of Charity Rosminians

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Creating a quiet and reflective retreat experience

REDEMPTORIST Youth Ministry is one of the largest providers of School Retreat programmes on the island of Ireland with teams in Belfast, Cork and Galway. Annually, close to ten thousand young people experience a retreat with one of our teams. Our teams in Cork and Galway are very busy during the academic year.

Scala Retreat and Conference centre is located in the Blackrock area of Cork along the river Lee. Situated opposite Blackrock Castle and Observatory, Scala is an oasis of peace and quiet in a big and busy city.

Class group retreats S c a l a o f f e r r e t r e a t s f o r Confirmation class groups in primary school and retreats from 1st to 6th year in secondary school. The facilities and the grounds at Scala help create a quiet and reflective experience for our retreats. Our retreat programmes are tailored towards each particular year group exploring the human and spiritual needs of young people through, prayer, creativity, debate and meditation. The Scala retreat is a one day retreat beginning at 9:30am and concludes at 2:45pm. In addition to our retreat programmes Scala can also offer one day programmes in the following areas: group wellness day, mentor training, Leadership training & student council training.

For further information on our programmes or to book a retreat please contact us on 021-4358000 or email info.scala@cssr.ie

Get the Esker Experience Esker Retreat Centre is located in west of Ireland, outside Galway city in the town of Athenry. Esker is a rural retreat centre which provides "Our retreat programmes are tailored towards each particular year group exploring the human and spiritual needs of young people through, prayer, creativity, debate and meditation" retreats for Confirmation class groups in primary school and retreats from 1st to 6th year in secondary school.

The Esker Experience can be overnight or for one day. The day retreat begins at 9.30am, and concludes at 3.30pm. The over-night gives the young people more time to engage with issues, and to bond with each other as a group. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on the overnight experience.

The Esker Youth Village can cater for large groups over-night,- with two dormitories, 35 beds in each, and use of the retreat house nearby. Our programmes make use of the beautiful nature in the surrounds of Esker.

For more information or to book a retreat please contact us on 091-844007 or email info@redemptoristsesker.ie

Young people are welcomed to Scala to participate in:

✔ Confirmation and secondary school retreats

✔ The Meitheal Youth Leadership Programme

✔ Leadership and mentor training

✔ Service projects

Scala Retreat and Conference Center Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork, Ireland Tel: 021 435 8800 | Email: info.scala@cssr.ie www.scala.ie

Esker Retreat Centre

Esker is a rural retreat centre, near Galway city, which provides retreats for confirmation class groups in primary school and retreats from 1st to 6th year in secondary school. The Esker Experience can be over-night or for one day