Avoca is close to the place where the larger and smaller Avoca rivers meet. This is where Thomas Moore wrote the following lovely poem
The Meeting of the Waters
Thomas Moore (1779–1852)
THERE is not in the wide world a valley so sweet
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet;
Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart,
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.
Yet it was not that nature had shed o’er the scene
Her purest of crystal and brightest of green;
’Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill,
Oh! no—it was something more exquisite still.
’Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near,
Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear,
And who felt how the best charms of nature improve,
When we see them reflected from looks that we love.
Sweet vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest
In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best,
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease,
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace.
Our tour guide quoted the first line or two so I went to google and found the whole poem.
Anyway, Avoca is the town were the BBC show Ballykissangel was filmed. I know I've seen an episode or two, but now I have to catch the whole series on Netflix when I get home.
Our reason for going to Avoca was to tour Avoca hand weavers and have lunch at their cafeteria. I was amazed at the color on display both in the reception area where the tour director met us and as we walked through their yarn storage area. I felt like a kid in a candy shop. It was interesting to here the history of the company and see all the things they have diversified into since new owners took over in the '80s
From there it was a delicious lunch of spinach and Brie quiche and a to die for chocolate cake. Major splurge, but worth every calorie.
We ended the day at an irish pub for a meal and a show of traditional Irish music and dance.
One more day and we'll be heading home. Tomorrow it's a day in Dublin followed by our farewell dinner.
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| Town of Avoca - Fitzgerald's pub - which figured heavily in the Ballykissangel tv show |
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| Oh the fibers they weave - awesome colors everywhere |
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| Just love all the colors |
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| At Avoca Handweavers - more color fun |
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| And more yarn used in the weaving |
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| The building |
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| more color |
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| Some of the blankets they weave |
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| A simply perfect rose |
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| Colors to dye for..... |
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| More yarn |
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| The person who led our tour at Avoca - she's worked there 18 years |
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| more blankets |
The placemats
