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Parish Trip to Ireland - June 2010
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On June 19, 2010, thirty-four parishioners and friends traveled throughout Ireland on a terrific “Glimpse of Ireland” tour. It was a fantastic experience which included stays in Dublin, Castlebar, Galway, Limerick, Killarney, and Waterford, Ireland. We had the opportunity to attend Mass at St. Mary’s Church, visit Trinity College, the Book of Kells, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. We visited Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon as well as the Famine Museum. This was followed by a river cruise along the River Shannon, enjoying traditional Irish tea sandwiches and scones. We visited the Shrine at Knock in County Mayo, where the figures of Mary, St. Joseph and St. John miraculously appeared to 15 local people and had the opportunity to attend Mass at the shrine, pray along the outdoor stations of the cross, etc. We traveled along the Connemara coast to visit Kylemore Abbey and Galway Bay. We dropped into the Galway Cathedral in time for Mass and headed to Rathburn Farm for traditional Irish scones and tea. We crossed the Burren and traveled west to the Cliffs of Moher, which rise approximately 700 ft above the pounding Atlantic waves. That night we attended a Medieval Banquet at Knappogue Castle. We visited the beautiful village of Adare with its thatched cottages and stone walls. We traveled along the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry, on our way to Killarney. We stopped along the way to enjoy a delicious authentic Irish lunch at the Thatched Cottage Restaurant, where Irish stew and Shepherd’s Pie were among the many delights on the menu. We had the opportunity to take a ‘jaunting cart’ or horse and buggy ride through the Muckross Estate in Killarney National Park. We visited the village of Blarney and browsed through the Blarney Woolen Mills. Only a few were feeling brave enough to climb the 186 steps through Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. From there we traveled to the Viking town of Waterford, known for its colorful terrace houses, cafés and pubs. Although the factory is closed, we visited the Waterford Factory Store, where many took advantage of the opportunity to browse and shop. We enjoyed drinks and entertainment by Tommy Comerford at Jack Meade’s Pub, a former waking house, and sang all the wonderful, traditional Irish songs along with him. Upon our return to Dublin, we enjoyed our farewell dinner together. Along the way, we had the opportunity to see Celtic Rising a contemporary Irish musical, singing and dancing dinner show as well as Trad on Pram, based on Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. We visited the Guinness Factory, shopped in the many beautiful towns and enjoyed more than our share of tea and scones. We traveled many, many miles and “Glimpsed” as much of Ireland as one could in 7 days. It was a trip of a lifetime and many wonderful memories were made.
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