We were touring in Ireland at the time of the crisis, and everywhere we went, shopkeepers, hotelkeepers, waitresses, entertainers, museum guards, and ordinary people came up to us and expressed their condolences.
All of the shops, businesses, towns displayed our flag and half staff. Our folded flag, along with a folded Irish flag and a EMT kit was presented at the offeratory at a special Mass of condolence at the Galway Cathedral attended by all of the political leaders of Galway and the recent past president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
Feel free to buy your Waterford, folks. Every craftsman at the factory conveyed his condolences.
We never heard a harsh word until we reached our own shores.