Page 49 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

room. There are many treasures exhibited here in-
cluding the oldest known surviving piece of Waterford
Crystal. And there are artifacts and collections owned
by the town’s most famous or infamous citizens in-
cluding letters, personal items, and memorabilia from
a man named Thomas Francis Meagher (pronounced
“Mahr”).
Of course, none of us had ever heard of the man,
but after our guide explained his amazing adventures,
we were more than impressed. Our introduction to
him began on the steps of the museum, as our guide
pointed to a building down the street with an Irish
tricolor flag waving from a pole on the second floor.
“That is where the first Irish tricolor flag was flown,”
our guide explained. “ It was put there by Thomas
Francis Meagher, the son of the mayor of Waterford.
And that would be enough for most men to make
their mark on history, but no other Irishman this side
of St. Patrick led a more colorful life than Thomas
Meagher.”

Scenes from the Viking Tri-
angle. Tour goers explore the
original wine caves in Water-
ford. The ruins of the monas-
tery built before the Vikings
occupied the city.

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