Sunday we slept in. Lucy went to mass with a few members of the community and then headed to the beach after lunch. After a long walk on the beach and an ice cream cone, we headed back for dinner. Then we headed into town toward city centre to find a pub to hang out in. It was a lovely walk along the river!
The group at the beach (Micah, Maria, James, Bernadette, and Matthew)
Bernadette the only one brave enough to enter the freezing water
Monday we went to L’Arche Cork’s 25th Anniversary celebration. We enjoyed a lovely cup of tea, picnic and mass with them and others. After lunch we embarked on a ridiculous pilgrimage. We all (about 50 people) lined up and were strung together with yarn to walk SLOWLY more than a mile across roads and bridges to the first L’Arche Cork house. It was a nice idea, but the execution was not as nice as the core members burned in the sun and others were a wee bit miserable! The evening was spent in the apartment playing card games and relaxing.
Jillian helping Father Joe with mass by singing Beautiful Jesus
Tuesday we headed out for a community outing to Fota Island Wildlife Park. We met up with Maria’s brother and another group that does organic gardening. It was a nice (although wet) day with the animals! It was fun to see the core members enjoying the animals and mixing with the other group. After dinner we (of course) watched the world cup match in the apartment!
Monkey!
Wednesday we went to Kilarney National Park organized by L’Arche Cork. It is the largest national park on the Island. Once at the park we walk around the grounds and enjoyed seeing an historical farm including different buildings, animals and gardens. The evening was spent (again) watching football!
Killarney National Park
Thomas comparing beards with the goat...maybe in a few years Thomas!
Thursday we headed off to Blarney Castle with Larry, Jonny and Murray (2 friends of the community). Larry made it up and down the 100 stairs even with no hand rail on the way up, really narrow stairs, and not being sure footed! HeWe kissed the Blarney Stone so we should be very eloquent speakers now! Then we enjoyed walking around the lake and the woods before heading back to the car for a “picnic” since it was raining.
Blarney Castle!
Micah kissing the stone!
Typical Larry
Friday, we were back at L’Arche Cork to celebrate the end of their anniversary week. We joined in the afternoon for a Caleigh, a traditional Irish dance. Although many of the core members could not quite follow all the moves it was a good time! In the evening we enjoyed a meal out as a community. It was a real celebration as our community does not eat out together often. It was a nice way to end the week together!
Jillian and Pam (friend of the community) dancing at the Caleigh
Makiko and Cami enjoying a good craic at the Caleigh (aka a good time in Belfast lingo)
On Saturday we headed home. Micah drove the entire 5 hours in the unending rain. It was a rainy rainy day, but we were all glad to be back in Belfast!
Sunday was a day of relaxation. We were pretty lazy until the World Cup Final when Larry, and the two of us headed over to James’ apartment to watch with a few of his friends. Larry loved that it was projected on the wall.
Community holiday overall was brilliant. It was a great time to see core members outside their normal routines. Jillian was in a great mood, Larry loved messing about, Thomas enjoyed the one-on-one time and the time with other assistants was priceless. It was much like any holiday or vacation that the memories were well worth it, but it was also very energy sapping. In addition to our core members, friends of the community were invited along. One of the friends, Bernadette, lived in our apartment and was a bit needy. It took awhile to figure out what assistance she needed and for her to figure out the community expectations, but by the end of the week, life went much smoother! We enjoyed almost every minute of holiday, but were very ready to be home and ready to rest!! Not exactly a holiday where we came back rested!
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