Let them eat chocolate, the Irish, Rowntree and York… on our Jorvik journey.
The clue is in the name (Yorkies anyone?) that York is one of the world’s great chocolate centres.
Where the Irish enter our story (and don’t they always?) is because of the philanthropy of Joseph Rowntree.
The grocer having holidayed in Ireland and seen first hand the suffering of the Potato Famine population.
Movers and Quakers
Now being the charitable Quaker that he was Joseph arranged for passage for the Irish to York.
Where we hear their story from Friend of York Bill in a tower at the start of our walk around the York Walls.
And even find my Dear Old Mum’s people, the McNultys on the Census.
A trip down Quality Street
Well, this ‘Son of a Daughter of Donegal’ has found himself in York’s Chocolate Story.
Learning about Joseph Rowntree, Mary Tuke, Joseph Terry and Mary Ann Craven.
On an Aztec to Kit-Kat journey through time.
Taking in that Old Black Magic and a trip down Quality Street, Mum’s favourite.
With samples of chocolate water, the original bitter Aztec magical concoction, the grinds and nuts that go to make chocolate.
The actual bars themselves and demonstrations of the chocolate moulding before making your own lollies with sprinkles.
Keeping abreast of chocolate
Of course there’s always One and that One is for once not your Bandanaman but the Scary One.
Who puts her jelly tots, Rowntree’s of course, side by side to invent a new confectionary, the Tit-Kat!
York’s Chocolate Story on King’s Square in the centre of Jorvik, cost us £50 for two.
With two luxury hot chocolates and two boxes of six individually selected chocolates.
And all of the above… but do clean your teeth afterwards back at your Holiday Inn.
