I fell in love with this guy. I couldn’t help it. Maybe it was his accent, maybe it was his hat, certainly his sense of humor and without question this man can turn a tale!
jack Burtchaell guided us through the streets of Waterford. Did you know the crystal is now machine made in Slovenia? Of course it’s still sold in its namesake city but the glass blowers and carvers have been replaced by machines. anyway, back to Jack… I know you will understand when I say this man loves his job. It’s clear. His enthusiasm about his City, about the history, the government and his community is infectious. he’s been leading tours for 35 years. He told me he was in Boston two weeks before Covid shut the world down. He loves Massachusetts! he taught us of the revolutionary Thomas Francis Meagher who was sentenced to be drawn and quartered after being captured as a defector against the king! The Christian community was so appalled by the brutality of the sentence that his death sentence was changed to banishment to Australia. After 4 years in Australia he escaped Australia And found himself in Montana USA! There he became very successful and a leader of the Irish. He organized over 1500 Irish to fight in the revolutionary war and they were named the “fighting Irish”. In Helena Montana there’s a matching statue of Meagher who died mysteriously at 43. waterford was full of murder , Mahem and debauchery during the Viking years… Jack made it all very interesting and entertaining! if you find yourself going to Waterford you must go onhos walking tour of Waterford! Jburtch@iol.ie thanks Fran Cross for such a great morning!
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