Adventures in Ireland Day 4

Adventures in Ireland, Day 4: 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A Happy St. Patrick's Day indeed!  We started off the day with a frenzied departure from the hotel for the parade.  Instruments and equipment were loaded onto the cargo bays in the buses - and yes, the missing bits for the percussion section did meet up with us at the hotel for an appearance in this parade.  The percussion section has never before been so delighted to see their harnesses!  The kids boarded the buses looking sharp in uniform...at least most of the pieces of most of the uniforms...there were a few missing shoes and one shoe that didn't turn up in time for our departure...chaperone ingenuity to the rescue and voila, a sneaker covered in black duct tape made a reasonable stand-in!  

The parade was incredible with over half a million people in attendance.  It was the largest attendance in Dublin's history.  As exciting as the parade was, we had even more excitement in the percussion section again when one of the harnesses revolted early in the parade (perhaps it was miffed it missed the Limerick appearance?) and the drum was carried by two of the chaperones, rescued by another team of chaperones who fashioned a carrying harness from bag straps we happened to have in the crowd, so we could finish the parade with everyone playing.  Are AB kids and parents amazing, or what?!  

And to top it all off we won the band competition for our division! 



 The kids had such a great day and made such wonderful memories.  Following the parade we spent a few free hours in Dublin and then headed back to the hotel for dinner and a dance.  An exhausted crowd (kids and chaperones) fell into bed to rest up for our last day of sightseeing.  

The two photo's above are shots that appeared in online newspapers.  Here are a few photo's from our parents/chaperones at the parade - there will be hundreds more available to view on the website soon!

Adventures in Ireland, Day 5, Part 1

The band left the hotel at 9:00 and headed north to County Meath, the "Royal County", the historical seat of the High King of Ireland. We went to Causey Farm and were introduced to farm life in Ireland, both work and leisure.

The students (and adults) saw sheep and lambs, newborn puppies, pigs and even had an opportunity to milk a cow. 

They also tried out an obstacle course,

Tried out farm transportation (a hay ride),

Tried out Hurling,

Tried traditional Irish dancing,

Played a bodhran

And even tried out the bog

Now, it's off to Dublin and lunch.

Addendum to Day 3 post

Addendum to Day 3; additional pictures!

In the event you were unable to get an accurate picture of the wild and crazy ride that was our day at the Limerick International Band Competition Parade, here are some additional pictures...