Waterford Castle - The Most Romantic Place In Ireland
Written: Mar 15 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Romantic, beautiful and relaxing
Cons: Expensive
The Bottom Line: A Honeymoon Must
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| nollequeen's Full Review: Waterford Castle |
In planning for our honeymoon, I read numerous travel books. Several of them mentioned that Waterford Castle in Waterford, Ireland was considered to be one of the most romantic spots on earth. Hearing that, I was determined that we would spend at least one night of our honeymoon there.
As it turned out, one night was really all we could afford. It was quite expensive but the romance, mystery and drama of it all made it worth every penny. The castle can only be reached by its own private ferry. A 15th century castle, it sits on an island in the River Suir. When we arrived at the appointed spot on the river, I half expected an old man in hooded robes to row out of the mists in a wooden boat to get us. Instead we were greeted by a completely modern ferry which was impressive in its own high tech way. Arriving at the ferry landing on the other shore, we drove up a long and winding road lined with huge ancient trees, passing the Castle golf course on the way.
We were met by our porter, Jamie, who although our own age, was dressed like something out of Upstairs Downstairs. He led us up a long staircase, that appeared to have no other purpose than to reach the door to our room at the top of the castle. The name on the door read The Edward Fitzgerald Room. Apparently, Mr. Fitzgerald had written "The Rubiyat of Omar Khayam" in our very room. Could anything be more romantic than that?
While my new hubby was down at the car rummaging though the luggage, I was upstairs getting a tour of the room from Jamie who told me among other things that we were fortunate enough to have gotten THE HAUNTED BEDROOM.
"He must think Americans love this sort of thing", I thought. He was right, I did, until it was time for bed. According to Jamie, a mother who had lost her babe in childbirth flung herself from our very window to her death on the stones below. She returned often to the room in search of her wee one's spirit. Even though we got a little thrill out of what we assumed to be a tall tale, it was hard for us to sleep in our big carved wooden medieval bed. Hubby fell asleep much sooner than I. I didn't fully relax until the light of dawn started to come through the windows. All night long, I had been certain that whenever my sleeping husband brushed up against me, that it was not him, but rather, A HAND FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE.
I must have eventually fallen asleep because we awoke to the smells of the Full Irish breakfast (brown bread, eggs, bacon, sausage, white and black pudding, grilled tomatoes and coffee) wafting up the stairs. We had a sunny and huge breakfast in the formal dining room and then took a walk around the island to burn off some calories. During the walk we saw a deer and a fox. The fox came running right up to us and jumped up on the picnic table next to where we were standing which is the only time I have ever before, or since seen a fox up close like that.
We had dinner in the castle the night we arrived which was once again, very expensive but delicious. I had duck and my husband had salmon both of which were delicious. The surroundings seemed mystical and I remember lots of candlelight shining though our wine glasses. That night we heard more legends of the castle (There is a statue of a monkey over the front door which memorializes a family pet that saved their baby boy one night during a fire, bringing him down the side of the castle in his arms despite fire all around him, to save the only male heir and perpetuate the family line), saw suits of armor and witnessed people popping in and out of secret passageways.
Even our bathroom was amazing. We have several photos of me pointing out its glories to the camera. The toilet (a top tank Victorian watercloset) was manufactured from what appeared to be Portmerion China with beautiful flowers painted all over it (even in the bowl itself).
It was a wonderful place. If you are planning a honeymoon, or are just a hopeless romantic, Waterford Castle is the place for you.
P.S. The second most romantic place in all of Ireland (so if you are on your honeymoon you've got to go there, too) is Yeats' Castle, Thor Ballylee. I've written an epinion about our experiences there too. http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-5E3F-D4C61D5-38EAA363-prod2
P.P.S. The photo provided by Epinions really does not do the place justice. Our room looked nothing like the room in the photo attached to this review. The picture of me on my epinions homepage http://www.epinions.com/user-nollequeen is actually me looking out of the window of our room. Take a peek and try to imagine yourself down below in the gardens looking up at a 15th century castle.
Recommended:
Yes
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nollequeen
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