On Wednesday 19th August 2009 more than 40 hardy souls gathered in Hilltown Square to board the bus that would take them to Dublin for the day. It was 8 30 am and the rain was falling in torrents but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the travellers.
This trip was jointly organised between Clonduff GAC and the Clonduff Historical Society, many of whose members overlap.
The further south the bus travelled the bluer the sky became and it remained like that all day! The first port of call was Croke Park – the assigned guide was Philip Archbold who led the group in an informative, entertaining, passionate and often amusing two hour tour of the stadium which simply flew past.
It was then on to the museum where the interactive area proved very popular and not only with the younger members of the group! Honestly you would think some people would have had more sense!
Following lunch at Croke Park the group made the short journey to Glasnevin Cemetery for another guided tour, feeling sure that Philip’s ‘performance’ could not be topped! Sorry Philip it was by Shane Mac Tómais! Shane gave us a valuable insight into the history of Glasnevin as well as pointing out the final resting place of the some of the men and women who have helped to shape Ireland’s past, present and future. The tour lasted one-and-a-half hours but it would be quite easy to spend an entire week browsing – there are 120 acres in the cemetery.
There were two magnificent guides on the tours – it is a pity that history in schools is not taught by people like these guys! The classes would be bursting at the seams!
