A bit of history

 Perhaps my ancestors left from New Ross aboard the sailing ship Dunbrody. This ship, built in 1847 carried thousands of Irish emigrants who were fleeing the potato famine. We were given a really special tour of the ship by Jason. He even enlisted my grandson’s help as the ticket checker :


We were allowed the opportunity to visit the steerage where the almost 200 passengers slept and lived for 50 days


Can you find the stowaway in the 2nd picture?

The steerage passengers were allowed just 30 minutes on deck each day (in shifts of course), during which time they were able to cook their meals over a fire.

We even got to meet the cook chef Gordon. 


Of course this food was only for first class passengers. (Only 2 cabins).




A few more photos of the ship and a copy of my ticket to the new country — Atlanta, GA




We drove on to visit Ireland’s most beautiful Georgian house: Rossborough. The place was built in the 18th century by Joseph Leeson who in ensuing years, stocked it with many artistic masterpieces. The house changed hands 2 more times before it was opened to the public in 1978. In 1987 the Beits (I think they still own it) donated 17 masterpieces to the National Gallery of Ireland. I believe they got tired of trying to recover some of these from thieves. Apparently this place has been raided many times by ner-do-wells.





Here also, we enjoyed an informative tour by one of the docents and a wonderful lunch in their little tea room. 

Onto our digs for the night, The K Club:


Oh, pardon me. Dinner at 6:30 on the golf course (there are 2 here). What was on the menu? PIZZA!!!!

Tomorrow we check out Dublin.

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