Armed with a book of Irish ballads, the singers at the back of the minibus
kept us entertained – and the driver awake – by singing at least
one song about every county we passed through on the long road from Rosslare
to Clarenbridge. It was going to be a very good week.
When we said we were "retiring" from leading groups to Hosanna
House, people asked ‘what will you do with yourselves?’. The
obvious answer (‘have a rest!’) seemed too easy. Inspired by
the conjoint meeting at Kilcuan of the Trustees/Governors and Doctors
of IHCPT and HCPT, soon after the house opened, we hit on the idea of
a week in Galway for 30 longstanding members of our South West (England)
group. It would be a way of saying thanks to those who had supported us
for as many as 20 years.
Having run so many weekend reunions for 50+, self-catering held no terrors
for us, and we found the cheapest way to travel was by 2 minibuses. It
had to be cheap so as not to affect the continuing HH group. To our surprise,
almost every invitation was accepted. We had no chaplain and our liturgical
music would be unusually limited, so there was no danger of ‘wall
to wall religion’ - as one pilgrimage was famously described! It
would be a group of people with special needs, including several with
learning difficulties as well as wheelchair users, but this was to be
very much a holiday.
One Saturday morning in June, we set out from Clifton Cathedral in Bristol,
roof racks laden. A relaxed ferry crossing - Sue got us exclusive use
of ‘Captain’s Corner’ - and a McDonalds in her father’s
home town of Clonmel were welcome breaks before we hit Clarenbridge just
before midnight, but not too late for a great welcome from Pat Jordan
and a thankful night prayer in the beautiful oratory.
Pat had kindly got in food for our first day or two, so we could have
a leisurely breakfast and an excellent Irish sirloin for lunch. We began
to explore the marvelous facilities in and around Kilcuan: some went for
a swim, others walked the long drive into Clarenbridge to find the crystal
shop. A local priest said evening Mass for us, and from near the boat
club we saw the sun go down on Galway Bay (now isn’t there a song
about that somewhere?).
On the Monday it was off to Coole Park, a picnic in the lovely walled
garden with its human sundial; a walk to the Lough and a restful sunny
cruise on Lough Corrib. In the evening, we had wonderful meal at GBC in
Galway City, after a visit to the impressive Cathedral where Richard could
not resist pointing out the mosaics of ‘Saints’ Padraic Pearse
and John F Kennedy which he remembered from childhood!
The next day, three of us nearly ruined a massive stocking-up trip to
Tesco when we began by loading up bottles long before the off-licence
had officially opened. There was more swimming for some and, for others,
a visit to the Galway Crystal centre, whose exhibition of Irish culture
was made even more entertaining by the guide’s confusion as to which
way the happily-married Maggie's Claddagh ring was pointing: was she ‘after
a man’ or was she ‘spoken for’?!
A little later than planned we headed for the Burren and after a picnic
supper at the idyllic Interpretive Centre we reached the Cliffs of Moher
in good time to see the sun go down, this time over the Aran Islands.
Wednesday was Connemara: coffee at a nice new hotel at Maam Cross, a bumpy
drive past Clifden and the 12 Pins, a picnic on the shores of Ballynakill
Bay and an afternoon at Kylemore Abbey – free entry if you play your
cards right! An even bumpier ride back to Kilcuan could not shake us off
either the barbecue or an excellent karaoke/disco in which everyone took
part, revealing some unsuspected talents.
We could hardly come to Connaught and not visit Knock so, fortified by
a full Irish breakfast and with a detour for a riverside picnic in the
grounds of Cong Abbey, we went to the Shrine. In just 2 hours, we experienced
a rapid Stations of the Cross and Rosary, then Mass of Anointing and Benediction.
It made Pèlerinage d’un Jour seem like a 30-day retreat! The
shops are not quite Lourdes, but it was a good day. In the evening we
were welcomed back at Kilcuan by IHCPT Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
Michael McGloin and Des Keane and a late sojourn at the famous Paddy Burke’s
Oyster Bar (oysters out of season but Guinness not!). Joined by Mary Walshe
- IHCPT Trust Treasurer - we were delighted that three Trustees put themselves
out to spend time with us. We very much appreciated the gesture.
On our last day, we had yet another meal outside before the rain finally
arrived. We visited the new Aquarium on the shore at Salthill - very interactive
and a great success – and then it was a final shopping spree before
getting ready for dinner at the Oyster Manor Hotel. The evening was rounded
off with a Service of Light in the oratory and then, for some, a return
to the Oyster Manor for a final Guinness and some live music.
We had to load up the minibuses in the rain, but we got away in good time
on the Saturday. A trip on the Bog Railway and a stop at Clonmacnoise
Abbey had to be rescheduled but a break with copious amounts of tea at
Maynooth strengthened us for the tedious ‘south circular’ journey
around Dublin to join the road south. In the mist, we had to take on trust
the beautiful views of the Wicklow mountains. Our final detour was to
Avoca (‘Varicose Angels’ to one of the group). Conveniently,
the only parking was right outside Fitzgerald’s so we could not help
but finish off the gin and various other bottles while everyone took their
photos!
It was then a short journey to Rosslare, and after dinner and 2 hours’
sleep on board for the drivers we were ready for the final leg, arriving
at Bristol, exhausted but happy, at 5 a.m. - bang on time!
It was a great trip, made all the better by the kind hospitality we received
at every stage and the fact that so many of the group had never been to
Ireland before. Our grateful thanks to our own drivers, cooks and bottlewashers,
but above all to Pat Jordan and IHCPT for giving us such a wonderful opportunity
to enjoy the well-thought-out facilities of ‘Hosanna House in Ireland’.
Yes we did actually spend some time in the house - we thoroughly recommend
it! Slainte!