At a recent Ulster Social Initiative event in Garvaghey Centre of Excellence, Co Tyrone, our Chairman Brendan Murray was the lucky winner of a trip to Croke Park for 25 members of the Club. However on Sunday 13th October a full bus load of Clonduffians (52)set off from the Club at 8 30 – was meant to be 8am but a certain young lady found her bed too cosy!
After a refreshing cuppa in The Applegreen we proceeded to Croke Park where we were met by our guide Cora who held us spellbound for the next two hours with her passionate stories and anecdotes about the history and happenings of the hallowed turf and its visitors. For quite a number of the group it was their first experience of the tour and for others it was a return to a place they never grow tired of.
The group was accommodated for a delicious ‘all you could eat’ lunch in a corporate box and then set out to explore the delights of the museum with the new Hall of Fame drawing a great deal of interest – our people finding it hard to leave. Although for many of the group their playing days are long behind them, but they were game enough to have a go in the Interactive Skills area. Thankfully we didn’t require the services of the physiotherapist we had in our midst!
Later in the afternoon, the majority of the group took in the Guinness Storehouse whilst a small number spent that time and their money in O’Connell Street and Henry Street! Guinness was a hard place to leave too and the poor shoppers were left standing in the cold for 45 mins!
It was a wonderful day out for our Club members – we were regaled with recitations, songs and stories on the way home – to say nothing of the member who nearly had to thumb a lift home from The Applegreen! The day was finished off in the Clubrooms with supper not only for those who made the trip but also for other members who were unable to make the trip.
Many thanks to the Social Initiative people in Ulster Council and Croke Park who made it all possible, and many thanks to Brendan for counting us all among his friends!
