March 12-19, 2011
March 21st, 2011
Bunratty Castle Tour. Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland
March 21st, 2011
Dinner at the Temple Gate Hotel, Essin, Ireland
March 21st, 2011
March 21st, 2011
After mass, the team traveled to the Cliffs of Moher Friday to experience on of Ireland’s most famous natural landmarks. The experience surrounded the team with the authentic Ireland. The hills, beaches and thatched-roofed homes of Connemara mixed with the weathered elderly man playing the tin whistle as the Barons climbed the hill to the cliffs. The photos will never do it justice.
March 21st, 2011
Franciscan vs. Connacht Development XV
St. Patrick’s Day started out on the perfect foot with mass at the Galway Cathedral followed by a parade downtown. The Barons geared up for an early afternoon match versus the Connacht Development XV team for their second game of the tour. Dropping 54-5, the Barons were handed more than a loss. It was one of the best learning experience a rugby team, especially an American one, could get.
Connacht is a team of handpicked players from throughout the region. These boys have focused on rugby since around the age of four with the intent of climbing the rugby ladder to the top. These handpicked players are looking to make it to one of the four professional teams in Ireland, than eventually earning the possibility of playing for their country’s team. The Barons couldn’t ask for a more valuable learning experience.
