Comments on: Video

By: Barb Douglas

Barb Douglas — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:45:23 +0000

How tragic. Just indicative of our times. When I got married it was everyone young brides’ dream to have a Waterford collection. I have an entire set, which I plan to hand down to my grandchildren. I cherish each piece. There is not else like it. Now, its all about flat screen televisions and laptops. With this generation, everything is throw-away. I am truly sorry that this factory is closing, I have no intention of buying Waterford from anywhere other than Ireland. I wish all the employees well and hope that by some miracle they can carry on their wonderful craft.

By: Carlene Moloney

Carlene Moloney — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:59:36 +0000

I suggest that we all actively participate as good consumers and carefully select our purchases with the country of origin in mind. If you want a Waterford product, make sure it is made in Waterford City, Ireland.

By: Mary Wallace

Mary Wallace — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:02:48 +0000

Just HEARTBREAKING! My visit there was one highlight of my trip to Ireland- an historic, legendary place with such talented and dedicated employees. I’m ashamed of the role greedy Americans have played in all these economic tragedies. It’s not Waterford crystal if it’s not made in Waterford, Ireland by Waterford artisans.

By: Mary Clogston

Mary Clogston — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:09:13 +0000

I love Waterford Crystal and having traveled all over Ireland have seen that the Irish successfully operate their own businesses in every field. Is there someway they can buy the company?

The same thing is happening to Ethan Allen in Beecher Falls, VT. I am beginning to believe these economic downturns are being engineered by the powers that be. You don’t need to ride in with an army anymore.

I will contact KPS but I would rather see Irish ownership.

By: Tomas Tisch

Tomas Tisch — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:23:54 +0000

Not only does this represent a loss of jobs and a very sad chapter for capitalism,.
The bigger concern is the loss of skill. These worker are highly skilled craftspeople who represent a collective pool of knowledge that will disappear, thus making the world at large a poorer and bleaker place for all of us.
The gradual loss of quality is going on all around us, mostly unnoticed. More and more of humanity is much less skilled, the race to the bottom has been going on for quite some time and heaven help us when we get there.
It will take generations to re-grow the knowledge base that is lost if this is truly allowed to happen.
I wish the workers of the Waterford Crystal Factory well and I hope that they will find a way to continue their tradition on their own, perhaps there is some support from local leadership for a co-operatively run facility.
This is a new world and workers cannot depend on bosses to help them ever again, do it yourself you are the Irish Tigers.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:54:18 +0000

I was there the Monday before the workers voted on the final offer and it was just heartbreaking. For those of you interested KPS is based in NYC and you can contact them and tell them you will not buy Waterford Crystal not made in Waterford Ireland!

By: Nick Athanasatos

Nick Athanasatos — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:51:15 +0000

How could they vote it down? All those craftsmen wasted & the town economy.
Those impractical suits do it again.The company should simply shrink back to it’s 1970’s capacity,and continue to suppy the existing demand.Clear away all that balony and get 600 workers back in there and make the best crystal in the world,it’s a no brainer.Come on…

By: Kevin Walsh

Kevin Walsh — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:29:59 +0000

I left Waterford for England in 1955 because that was the only option for young (18)people like me then. I had hoped that things had changed and that our people who wanted to could have a good prosperous life in their own Town/Country. Am deeply saddeneded that once again emigration may be the best option for our young people. Capitalisism strikes again. Wonderful but very sad film.

By: muiris o ceallaig

muiris o ceallaig — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:48:07 +0000

sold down the drain by the union and not the first time

By: Marcia

Marcia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:33:22 +0000

What’s happened since KPS took over?

By: Deise Delight

Deise Delight — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:28:32 +0000

The Fianna Fail Government, the opposition party and all the politicians elected and paid for to serve the people have not done their job they have NOT worked for their people they have simply served themselves and fed at the trough of greeed for too long! Its they who should be sacked! no pension…no perks…no notice… just the same as the ex Waterford Workers! A revoloution brothers! Oh yeah and not to mention that they let a world brand – a world class product be broken up and shipped out to eastern Europe and God knows where else and still call it “Waterford” sorry folks but its just glass not Waterford Crystal ye’ll be buying from now on.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:03:10 +0000

Sad . . . depressing . . . not only for the workers at Waterford but for the global situation. Governments, in general, need to decide whether their citizens or business owners are of more value to society.

By: J. Hassman

J. Hassman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:09:49 +0000

Well-executed. In only a brief window in time, this story managed to bring what could have been “just-another-globalization-sob-story” to life in an original and genuine way. I would love to see a follow-up piece next year for further insight into how the closing of the Waterford factory–and more importantly, an end to a way of life–has continued to impact these individuals and their hometown.

By: Fran Gustman, Sandy Furman

Fran Gustman, Sandy Furman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:57:05 +0000

Informative, moving, and well-edited! A very sad story, but very well told.