Waterford Crystal

Since we were in Waterford, we of course had to tour the Crystal Factory.  They no longer produce the regular crystal pieces in Waterford, but they have a large shop and they have the original factory and they do continue to produce all of their specialty and one-of-a-kind pieces here in Waterford.  

The tour was amazing really, watching them heat the glass, blow it, and then set it to the specific design.  The cuts and etchings are mapped out on the pieces and then the cutters have to take the piece and do all the etchings and cuts.  Each person has to memorize numerous patterns and how each cut is made to create the beautiful crystal pieces.  Watching them hold the pieces and make the cuts was just amazing.  It would be such hard physical labor to hold up the heavy pieces to make the cuts.  

They told us that they do always make a pair of the creations, even with the one-of-a-kind pieces.  The extra is not out in the public domain, but is available if something happens to the original piece.  Such was the case apparently with a football trophy that someone decided to throw, so it was lucky they make a spare.  (I can't imagine being the person to break a Waterford Crystal Trophy....)

Some of the things they produce here include the People's Choice Award Trophies.

Towards the end of the tour they showed us this piece.  It is a piece in remembrance of 9/11 and Father Mychal Judge who lost his life trying to save people in the towers.  It is dedicated to all the rescue workers. 

I was not prepared for the emotional reaction I had to this.  It was just a beautiful piece and the woman who was giving us the tour was very kind, having been talking to us and knowing we were Americans.  No one else in our group seemed really phased by it.  They were a young crowd, and mostly seemed to be in their 20's, so they would have probably been children 13 years ago, and some were Americans but not all of course.  Our tour guide said that a week or so ago they had a man in their group who had worked at the World Trade Center and had survived the tragedy.  Obviously, he was quite affected by the piece and she  was affected by his response as well.

At any rate, it is a beautiful tribute to those who worked so selflessly to rescue people caught in the tragedy that was 9/11.