2016 Ireland Tour – Day 4

Day 4 -“ Easter Sunday, March 27

Easter Sunday was welcomed with an early wake up call for all members of the touring party who were asked to regather as one at 8am at the Parnell Gaelic Football Club.

Following yesterday’s games, the boys were billeted out to local families for the night to experience a brief taste of Irish hospitality.

Upon reconnection with their schoolmates, the boys regaled each other with tales of their night in an Irish home. Many were fortunate enough to be treated to a game of Gaelic football at Croke Park, while others attended a hurling match. Some were fortunate enough to enjoy a family dinner at an Irish pub while others were guests of honour at parties in and around Dublin. It seemed that all boys enjoyed their experience and were keen to share their memories with their mates.

Once the touring party regathered it was time to say farewell to Dublin and head south.

The first stop for the day was at Waterford where we dropped into the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre on Mt Sion to witness first-hand the home of Edmund Rice -“ the founder of the Christian Brothers and patriarch of St Patrick’s College.

All boys have learned a lot about the great work of Edmund Rice during their time at St Patrick’s College and were fortunate to be able to see where his remarkable story began.

Upon leaving Waterford, the bus ventured further south to the port city of Cork -“ our home for the next two nights.

All staff and students attended a Division 1 Gaelic Association games at Pairc Ui Chaoimh between the home team and the visiting underdogs from Down.

An entertaining game ensued with Cork triumphing by five points.

Following the Sunday afternoon football, the touring party checked in to the highly-rated Imperial Hotel and then had some time to wander the streets of Cork.

Tomorrow will see our second competitive hit-out of the tour and also a visit to the Blarney Castle.