Cobh

Nothing makes a real overseas vacation complete than at least one person throwing up in the rental car. We were driving from Cobh to Waterford in torrential down pours on a tight road overlooking the ocean when I heard the dreaded words from the back seat, “I think I am going to be sick”. If you know the country roads in Ireland, there is no shoulder, so I cringed as I heard the sound confirming what she had said. For another 2 miles I couldn’t find a place to pull over. When we made it safely to the side of the road, I spent the next 20 in driving rain trying to rinse the floors mats with all the half drank water bottles scattered throughout the car. I begged a nice lady in a small gas station for paper towels and a garbage bag. 30 minutes later we were back on the road and I was soaked up to my waist.

The day was not all bad though. We started out the morning in Cobh (pronounced “Cove” and formerly called Queenstown) grabbing coffee at a small cafe and then headed to another Titanic Museum. I would have to recommend this museum over the Belfast Titanic museum. It is more quaint, realistic and authentic to the story. The museum is housed in the original White Star Line ticket office where the last of the fated passengers purchased tickets and boarded prior to the sinking. During the tour you stand on the same area the passengers stood before processing to the Heartbreak Pier when many travelers spent their final moments on dry land. After the tour we explored Cobh as much as we could despite the bad weather.

We made our way to the Faithlegg Hotel in Waterford where we joined up with the Keough/Walsh/Power clan for our family reunion weekend. The hotel is tied to the Power side of the family and the website does a great job of walking through its history.

Most of the family congregated at Jack Meade’s Pub for happy hour. We all got lost in the gin and hours of storytelling and connecting dots. As the true Irish family we are, we shut down three bars by the wee hours. It was fascinating to meet and greet folks from all over the world to include Australia and Dubai. The history shared last night was amazing rich! Tomorrow begins the main events or the reunion and we will see more family roll in. Almost 100 people have journeyed for this event. My grandmother’s only living sibling of 12 children is here with us this weekend.