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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.
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..
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
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
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!
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
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
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!
We all had a
very special evening together in Glendalough where we shared a
party piece and the highlights of our trip.
Marg Smith
Greg Smith
Martin Powell
Rosemary Walsh / Arthur
Kevin Walsh
Paul and Marie Mainey
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
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