Dublin

Our final day began with ... rain! The first time genuinely we've had soft weather as they call it. It only lasted an hour or so though. 

We visited the Mercy International Centre and the home of Catherine McAuley. 

The water jugs on the wall above all carried holy water from the respective nations which now flows in the well and fountain outside as in the other image. 

It was a symbolic moment. All the nations coming together in one place. We spoke to a few US visitors and some fellow Australians. All of us in Ireland embracing our faith. It was nice. 

A free afternoon followed. To escape the inevitable shopping experience in Dublin I went to Croke Park home of the GAA. We were in the country for the Gaelic All Ireland Final between Dublin and Kerry. 82500 fans watching everyday people IE amateurs represent their county. I was in awe. The way sport should be. 

It was apt I wore the old Wests strip today. The jersey above is from County Leitrim. In the change rooms all the strips from all 32 County Teams were displayed. Our family came from there in the 1850s. A hardworking and honest county. Small in size. Not all that much success on the field. Just like Wests!

It was a great afternoon. A great chance to speak to some people that you wouldn't see in the city centre. It was a good choice. 

Therein ends the pilgrimage. Mass before heading to the Airport for the trip home. I'll put a final post up when I arrive. I don't think I'll ever do the experience justice. Profound. I'll try though. 

Special special mention to my wife. We celebrate EIGHT years married today. I love you. And I look forward to seeing you in just over two days!

EDIT

It wouldn't have been the experience it was without these two likely characters. John and Gerry. Our driver and guide. Brilliant genuine men. Great Craic!

Dublin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR TOMORROW MUM! XO

Our second last full day in Ireland and final Retreat Day today. 

We enjoyed a reflective morning with Father and later in the day spent some time in and around Clontarf.

Some chose the Rose Garden. Others the grounds. The plan was to walk along the boardwalk and then onto one of the two golf courses across the water. St Anne's was unavailable and Royal Dublin unaffordable. Hence the boardwalk was the beginning middle and end. 

I did get a chance to go to the beach though. 

We celebrated Mass at Manresa. Currently spending some time in the grounds awaiting dinner. 

A quiet day but one full of reflection and gratitude. 

Dublin

Our first full day in the capital today. A really nice early walk along the water but the day was a cold one. 

We started visiting St Patricks Cathedral. One of two Anglican Cathedrals in Dublin. No Catholic ones. Despite over 90% of the population being so. It was strange. A gift shop in the main area of the Church. Statues of English nobles in grand scale and material. A humble bronze of St Patrick out of the way. It was an impressive building. However I didn't take any images. Didn't feel right. 

We then had morning tea in Phoenix Park. Great to see some kids running around. I missed my girls at the same time. 

Then onto Trinity College and the Book Of Kells. 

The long room was very very impressive. I could have spent hours in there. 

The Book Of Kells is amazing. So intricate. Tried to sneak a photo but to no avail. 

An hour or so in Dublin followed. A very busy city. Found a first edition LOTR in a book shop. Only €3500!

We then visited the Mary Aikenhead Heritage Centre. We had a lovely afternoon with the sisters there and celebrated Mass in the Chapel. 

It is humbling to see how they began as they celebrate their bicentennial year this year. Great connections with education and pastoral work in the prison system too back home. 

It was then onto the Temple Bar district for a meal and the Rugby. An interesting evening with few locals and LOTS of English. An experience. Wallabies got home.

Sinking in that my time here is nearly at an end. It's been everything I had anticipated and more.  

Our final Retreat Day is tomorrow. 

Supporting the Cowboys in the GF. Pick the score 28-18. Morgan to win Clive Churchill. 

My love to all back home. 

Clonmacnoise - Kildare - Dublin

We left the luxury of the Sheraton with weary legs from yesterday's climb. 

First stop was St Ciarans Monastry at Clonmacnoise. And after two weeks of sun and shine we had our first experience of Ireland weather!

You'll notice the final image depicts a lop sided chapel. Not a product of poor planning. As the dead straight bell tower at the top of the post shows. The monks knew what they were doing. Apparently modern farmers take the ground from around the chapel and bless their lands with it. Seemingly it is time to take it from the other side!  

We then moved onto Kildare for lunch. We saw St Brigids Well and the National Horse Stud before celebrating mass in St Brigids Parish. 

We beat the traffic to Dublin and our final destination Manresa. 

The highlight of the day was us. Sitting around the common room this evening. Some sharing photos. Some watching the footy. All talking. All laughing. It is a special group here. And we've had a special experience together. 

John our driver and Gerry our guide have been outstanding. Couldn't ask for more genuine blokes. Enjoying the Craic with those boys. 

While there's still a few days left it is surreal. So much done. So inspiring and inspired. I don't want to leave but can't wait to get home and share the stories. 

Also have a video of the final steps of my ascent from yesterday. Great stuff. 

My love to all at home. Looking forward to Trinity College tomorrow. 

Croagh Patrick

A simple entry tonight. Have a look at the pictures. 

It was a two hour climb. About half an hour less to come back down. 

Very strenuous. Very very rewarding. 

One of the two major pilgrimages in Ireland. Tens of thousands particularly around St Patricks feast day. 

Simply stunning. Absolutely buggered. 

All were challenged. All were rewarded. St Patrick picked a tough spot but the experience was worth the pain. 

Photos are great but don't do it compete justice. 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TxryH1Bz5ag is a little bit of an idea.

Shout out to Tania. By request. Keep studying!

Connemara - Knock - Castlebar

Once again an absolute ripper of a day with the weather. Matched only by the scope of what we did. 

Just look at the views that greeted us an hour into our trip from Galway. 

We left early and travelled to Kylemore Abbey. 

Then onto Knock where Mary along with Joseph and John The Evangelist appeared in an apparition on 21/08/1879. Today also marks 36 years to the day that Blessed John Paul II visited the site and blessed the Basilica. 

I was on The Prayers Of The Faithful today. A wonderful moment to celebrate in particular the role of our mothers in such close proximity to where Mary herself had appeared. All my love to my mum and wife as well as to all who fill these roles for others in my life. 

A short drive then to Castlebar and our accomodation for the night. 

If you'd told me before we left that I'd be in an outdoor beer garden in the sun at 7:00 in the evening and comfortably wearing shorts and a jersey I'd have laughed. I'm still smiling though. Let's be honest I'm still laughing. This whole experience has been so special. Truly blessed. A wonderful day. 

A huge day tomorrow. Climbing Croagh Patrick. I can't wait. 

A special mention to a special someone today. On this day in 1998 I took a girl to the movies. Very romantic. We saw Blade. A little over ten years later we were married. Still putting up with each other to this day. 

Excited by what tomorrow will bring and the fact that this time next week I'll be home to share it all with these three. 

XXXOOO

Galway

It was our second Retreat Day today. We were ably looked after by Fr Shamus at the Esker Centre. 

They were beautiful grounds as you can see below. 

A few of us were lucky to even get a quick nine holes in at the local course. Very much in the mould of Royal Sefton. Much much shorter. Managed a birdie on the treacherous 65m Par 3 5th!

It was then into Galway for a traditional night at a traditional establishment. The oldest pub in Galway. A great evening with some fantastic music and laughs. 

My condolences to my wife's cousin Diana and her partner James on the devastating loss of their daughter Grace. Today we dedicated Mass to her memory and played Amazing Grace after communion. A small community of us from across the ditch and now half way across the world thought of Grace today. All my love. 

A special thank you to Father Isadore and John for their assistance. 

A short and late entry tonight. Off again I the morning. Again we will see what this wonderful country has to offer us!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNDELL!

Cliffs Of Moher - The Burren - Galway

This place just keeps getting better and better. 

While a big travelling day we still saw and achieved so much. 

We visited the natural wonders that are the Cliffs Of Moher. Deadset nearly got blown over the edge at one stage. The recorded speed was 40km/h winds but I'm dubious. 

While it is a tourist attraction it gives you a chance to speak to others. 

Funnily you try and pick where everyone is from. Locals are such as they look ahead not to the side and the cliffs. Aussies walk on the left of the path. Europeans on the right. Americans right down the middle. 

However everyone both within and outside of the group are here for different reasons. And underpinning all those reasons is faith. Whether it be a spiritual faith or personal faith or something to do with relationships it all comes back to faith and choice. I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to choose this pilgrimage and develop all elements of my faith. Faith in God. In my relationships. In myself. I'll be a better man for it. 

It was then onto The Burren. 

Nice shadow work there from the photographer. 

Late in the day we celebrated Mass at the Augustinian Church in Galway. Nice to have a few locals join in the celebration. 

We finished up at the Connacht Hotel where we'll be for two nights. Thanks to Sheree and Lyndell for the comments and young Dom for the email. 

Spent some time after dinner in the gym and in the sauna spoke to a few locals. The only thing better than the spectacular natural beauty or enriching history of Ireland is the people. Enjoying The Craic!

Year 12. Two weeks to go! Year 11 one year and two weeks to go!

Our second Retreat Day is tomorrow. Looking forward to it. My love to all at home. 

Skellig Michael (Island)

Not many words today. I'm going to let the pictures do the talking. 

A group of us arose early and travelled just over an hour to Port Magee. 

We then travelled by boat for about an hour to Skellig Michael to climb the steps and see the monastery built sometime in the 8th or 9th century. 

There are some 600 stone steps. As you can see though well worth it. 

I was also able to fulfil a promise today. Year 12 I said that I'd take you with me and I did. Only two weeks to go! Keep working!

One of those days that I don't think I will ever forget.