En route through Wexford we came across a tall ship moored on the River Barrow. Of course we had to stop and have a look. It turned out to be a painstakingly-crafted replica of a ship called the Dunbrody – one of the many so-called ‘famine ships’ that had ferried literally millions of starving Irish out of the country during the late nineteenth century.

We were allowed on board to explore on our own as the staff were waiting for a large tour group to arrive. The WBBs had a great time steering the wheel, ringing the bell and poking around above and below decks. It all seemed to be extremely authentic – apart from the life-size cardboard cut-out of a Wexford boy, one of the Irish rugby team who were presently doing very well in the World Cup competition. The starving emigrants were all rugby fans, it seems.