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
|