Is é an t-am seo den bhliain arís... the time of year when we go back to our roots!!(...and for some after getting our roots done!!!)and immerse ourselves in the Irish language and culture for a week....
This was our fourth consecutive year to venture to the northern county of Donegal.. and all I will say is the week went too fast and am seriously considering spending a fortnight there next year... if we can persuade Declan and Darrelle to join us for maybe a week of it...
Mt. Errigal.. nearly looks like there is snow on it....
Well, our numbers had dropped this year... Darrelle opted out...I have been bringing her to either the Kerry or Donegal Gaeltacht since she was 5 years old so she abandoned us this year....and as a result our holiday companions were also down one as 'If Darrelle wasn't going Josephine's almost 13 yr old son was not going either'!! So it was just us mothers and the little uns...
Here they are proudly modelling this year's T~shirts...
We stayed in the same B&B as last year. We love staying here as it is so sociable.. Lots of families attending the course stay here and there is a real buzz at breakfast every morning as we all get to know each other! Here is Elena with Moya, our lovely bean a 'tí...This pose was for some of our absent friends this year... who had taken part in the adult drama at the end of the week last year... It was Snow White(as Gaeilge) and this picture frame came in very handy as the 'scáthán draíochta'(Magic Mirror) The lady that played the part had practically NO Irish as she was originally from England (but had lots of drama and 'get up & go')so the play was hilarious as she attempted to pronounce her lines we had laboriously coached her in and when I saw the frame still there against the wall in the dining room this year I just had to get a photo of it to send to her!!
Once again we had to attend a course which caters for all ages (a few months old right up to 90+)and abilities (non-speakers up to fluent speakers).. Our mornings consisted of dancing classes, Irish langauge classes, singing classes while after lunch there were activites like bus tours to local places of interest, ealaíon cois trá(painting on beach!)cócaireacht (cooking) toraíocht taisce sa charr(car treasure hunt which we won for the 3rd consecutive year!! Always the best laugh of the week)a céili night where we all show off the dance steps that we haven't have learned and the last night is a cheolchoirm(concert) put on by all the different groups...
Both kids and adults had a great time but with lots going on between 10am to 6pm every day they often looked like this in the evening... Could not print any of the adults!!
Sometimes it pays to be in the know as when the day for going to the local activity centre and Glenveagh National Park came round and coincided with persistent heavy rain we knew not to even think of going so headed off to Letterkenny to the first cinema or indoor play centre we could find!! Not the nicest place for us to hang out but the kids had a ball...
Our two 7 yr olds Éimhín & Elena..
This boy is happy anywhere....
On a mission to the top....
...and lots of swinging...
Then it was back home 'cross Glenveagh national Park .. on horseback...'Into the West'!!
One of the reasons why this week is special to us is that we get to spend time with old friends as well as make new friends... Josephine is a college friend of mine from ... way back in the last century!!! and here is her daughter Éimhín with Alex... the link they share is not only that their mothers are good friends but that they both share Ust -Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan as their place of birth...So for all you lucky people in America/Canada who get to take part in Kazapalooza we take our Kaz reunions any where we can!!!!!!
Two Kaz girls getting in touch with their Irish side as they dance with 'all their left feet'!! Just kidding...That was their mothers!!
Boy - can these girls fight?.. and pout.. and tease.. and annoy....and did I say sulk?!!
They spent many a night this week watching Alex enjoy his 'treat' from the local shop while they had managed to forfeit theirs due to their constant bickering....
Still Josephone said they were MUCH better than last year...
Better at what.. I wondered....
In spite of all... we will all be there again next year...Le Cúnamh Dé (God willing!)
And I am looking forward to it...
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