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2010 CELTIC TOUR PHOTOS

THE 2010 CELTIC TOUR PHOTOS

I have just returned from Ireland and the 2010 Celtic Tour was a wonderful experience.

By some strange coincidence the majority of the tour group were farmers so the tour took on a rural flavour at times. Our bus driver Don obliged by taking the entire group to a creamery in Kerry and John O Sullivan - a farmer from New Castle West met with the group to discuss farming in Ireland.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Achill Island. The weather was bleak but one got a sense of the misery experienced by the people from the deserted village and the impact of the famine.

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We spent the afternoon at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara and thanks to local resident Anne Guy we were given the VIP treatment. That evening we drove the Sky Road in Clifden e also made some friends along the way..

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Another memorable moment was when we made an impromptu visit to Ashford Castle. Thanks to Don knowing 'people in high places' we were able to walk around the castle and view its many attractions. Paul our farmer from Gunnedah gave it the thumbs up - declaring it to be a 'nice little camp

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We had our very own 'Quiet Man' in Cong. Paul stood in as our John Wayne look alike - accompanied by his side kick Kevin Wals

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I cant forget our visit to Blarney Castle in Co Cork. Kevin Walsh made the climb to the top of Blarney castle to Kiss the Blarney stone and forever have the 'gift of the gab'

He was accompnied by his daughter Rosemary, Liz Mc Mahon, Don and myself. Having successfully climbed to the top, our bus driver announced that it was his first time climbing Blarney castle. A double celebration!

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Some good old Cork Kerry rivalry between driver Don and group leader Maria

We visited many beautiful places including Wesport, Aran Islands, Glenstal Abbey, The Blasket Centre in Dingle, Gallorus, The Ring of Kerry, Muckross House, Roscarbery and the famine grave in Skibbereen where as many as 10,000 bodies were buried in one mass grave

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We visited the Cobh Heritage centre - a marvellous collection of information and images telling the story of emigration and transportation. Many of our ancestors would have left from

Cobh

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It would not have been a Spirituality Tour without a visit to the Midleton Distillery. There the Australians came into their own! The entire group toured the distillery before tasting various whiskeys. Lets just say it was a rather fun filled drive from Midleton!

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We all had a very special evening together in Glendalough where we shared a party piece and the highlights of our trip.

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Marg Smith

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Greg Smith

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Martin Powell

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Rosemary Walsh / Arthur

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Kevin Walsh

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Paul and Marie Mainey

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Liz Mc Mahon and Don Dowling

Good byes are always difficult and it was very sad to say farewell to 9 new friends but I think that we all left Ireland with wonderful memories of a fantastic tour. Thank you Marg for allowing us to be part of your dream - to see the moon rise over Claddagh on Galway Bay. Thank you Kevin for the priveledge of visiting your grand father's home in Ballyskibole Co Cork and thank you all: Martin, Greg, Marg, Marie, Paul, Kevin, Rosemary and Liz for making this a unique tour

Thank you Chris, Seamus and Mary at Emerald Travel for your countless hours of tour organising and thank you to Martin at CIE.

A final big thank you to Don Dowling - our bus driver. Thank you for your generosity, Kerry sense of humour and taking good care of our precious Aussies.

I look forward to sharing the Celtic Tour with a wonderful new group in 2011

For more information or an itinerary of the 2011 Celtic Tour please call Chris at Emerald Travel on 03 96709696

Maria Forde