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We will post emails and pictures for 2008 SCHS Band/Choir Ireland Trip as we receive them!!! Encourage your friends to view
the WCE Web Site and follow the trip!!!
2008 SCHS Band/Choir Dublin, Cork, Cobh, Killarney, Ireland Trip
3/13/2008 Thursday (Seattle) 165 Members of the SCHS Band/Choir Delegation departed Seattle as scheduled today. The Band will
perform at Castletown, march in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade, and perform in Cobh while the Choir will sing at Scoil Na
Mainistreach School in Celbridge, sing at Castletown, sing for the Lord Mayor in Cobh, and sing in Killarney. Pictures and emails
will be posted on this page during the trip.
3/14/2008 Friday (Seattle) The last 52 Members of the SCHS Band/Choir Delegation departed Seattle as scheduled today. The Band will
perform at Castletown, march in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade, and perform in Cobh while the Choir will sing at Scoil Na
Mainistreach School in Celbridge, sing at Castletown, sing for the Lord Mayor in Cobh, and sing in Killarney. Pictures and emails
will be posted on this page during the trip.
3/14/2008 Friday Dublin (3:30 pm Seattle Time 10:30 pm Dublin Time same day) We have our first email from Vince Santo Pietro
(Excellent Shorcrest High School Staff Member), “All 101 American Members arrived safely and without mishap. Dave and I met them
at the airport and then set off for the day of touring. It was a fine day and went according to the original plan. Leann and Choir
did their performance at Scoil na Mainistreach (School of the Celbridge Abbey which has historical links with Jonathan Swift) and it
went quite well. Lisa Herron (Outstanding Celtic Horizon Tours Coordinator) met the choir for their performance. Tom O’Brien (Exceptional
WCE Ireland Tour Coordinator) was with the main body for the Dublin City Tour including a visit to Trinity College (Founded by Elizabeth I
in 1592 on the site of an Augustinian monastery, Trinity College is one of Ireland's foremost seats of learning. Swift, Wilde and Beckett
all attended Trinity). The College is guardian to one of Ireland's most treasured possessions, namely the 9th century 'Book of Kells'.
We are feeling well take care off. Students are very tired and ready to crash for the night. Local radio wants to interview some of the
students so that is being arranged. The weather is cloudy and chilly with a bit of light rain. Fortunately our Seattle kids know how to
deal with it and spirits were high. Pictures tomorrow with a Group Photo at Castletown.”
3/15/2008 Saturday Dublin (4:55 pm Seattle Time 11:55 pm Dublin Time same day) Another email from Vince Santo Pietro, “Today ran pretty well. The main
body went off to the National Stud (the rearing of thoroughbred horses) and it turned out to be quite interesting despite the rain and cold
weather (just like Seattle so we felt like home). Killkenny castle was also very interesting - fine example of Victorian upper class dwelling
from converted Norman period castle. The morning SAS Flight enjoyed their tour of Dublin and Trinity College. All flights made it in as well
as every piece of luggage and equipment. Tomorrow we have a concert and weather permitting we'll get a group photo.” All 220 Members (and equipment)
are now in Dublin. Tomorrow both the Band and the Choir will perform at Castletown Estate
3/16/2008 Sunday Dublin (3:30 pm Seattle Time 10:30 pm Dublin Time same day) An email WITH PICTURES from Vince Santo Pietro (Excellent SCHS Staff Member),
“What a Day! Great to have the entire group here and traveling together. We went to Glendalough as planned and saw the ruins of St. Kevin's Monastery from
some 1000 years ago. The kids were very awed and the tour was excellent. Very impressive ruins and a good presentation on an important part of Irish history.
Tom was Exceptional as usual leading us with a great mix of jokes, Irish History and Culture, and song. Our Choir gave an OUTSTANDING Impromptu Performance in
the one remaining intact building - a small chapel. Castletown was IMPRESSIVE. What a massive home. We even had a special tour even though the site is closed
for renovations (which they opened just for us). It was very cold but spirits were high as we marched the band and choir up the drive and gave a performance on the
steps to a decent sized audience of locals. The performance was well received and an excellent practice for tomorrow's parade.” Tomorrow the Dublin St. Patrick’s
Day Parade! (Note Pictures Below!)
3/17/2008 Monday Dublin (10:00 am Seattle Time 5:00 pm Dublin Time same day) The Shorecrest High School Marching Band has WON BEST YOUTH BAND in the BAND COMPETITION!!! We received
a phone call from Joan O’Brien (wife of Tom O’Brien our Super Guide) informing us that this morning prior to the parade Dave Johnson (SCHS Marching Band Director) and a few
members of the band were interviewed on National Radio and after the interview there was a short rendition from the band. She also informed us that the Parade was Exceptional
and the SCHS Band Performance was Outstanding in front of a Colossal crowd. Joan also wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Ireland! A report from Vince Santo Pietro
"The parade was great, weather beautiful. The kids were excited and we had a great time. Only to return to an Irish feast with live entertainment." (Note Pictures Below!)
3/18/2008 Tuesday Cork (3:00 pm Seattle Time 10:00 pm Cork Time same day) Another update from Vince Santo Pietro “Today we went to Rock of Cashel - no words can describe it!
Truly amazing and wonderful. The view from the top is breathtaking and the ruins are fascinating (and you are allowed to explore them). The kids seemed caught up in the sites.
The choir sung in the choir chapel - the place were the choir would have lived so they could come to the cathedral to sing when needed. We then took the kids to Blarney and the
Wollen Mills shopping center and let them go for three hours. They had a choice of Blarney then Shopping or just shopping. Most chose both. They ended up with 3 hours to shop and
they did shop until they dropped. Those that went to Blarney enjoyed a fantastic view and cool castle that you are allowed to explore. Most climbed to the top and kissed the Blarney
Stone (you must lie on your back, lean your head backwards and downwards and then kiss the underside of the stone). It is a cool site with interesting gardens full of ancient
relics. This hotel is amazing - like being in a resort - love to stay here longer. Tomorrow concerts in Cobh!
3/19/2008 Wednesday Cork/Killarney (3:00 pm Seattle Time 10:00 pm Cork/Killarney Time same day) MORE PICTURES and another update from Vince Santo Pietro “Today we visited Cobh and
it was another very rewarding day. The day was splendid with great weather and plenty of sunshine. We started the day in Cobh where we had the opportunity to take a guided tour on
the Titanic trail. We saw the places where the passengers were boarded on the Titanic. Can you believe it only took 90 minutes? This was the last port of call for the RMS Titanic.
It was very sad but we learned much that few of us knew regarding the history and connections of Cobh to the U.S. After a trip to the Queenstown center (the former name of Cobh under
British rule) we all had a couple of hours to explore. This is a very nice city for walking and exploring. Full of history and interesting architecture. Later the Choir performed for
the Mayor who greeted us warmly and changed his schedule to say longer than he had originally planned because he was so impressed with us. He was very warm and friendly - just delightful
with all of us taking time to talk to us individually. The choir did a fine job. The band then performed on the waterfront to a crowd of locals that had gathered. They were very impressed
with us and grateful that we had come, many fine comments. A two hour bus trip to Killarney brings us to where we are now. A couple of very elegant hotels where we get served at our table.
Great food! The bus trips today took us through very picturesque countryside where we say rolling hills, very green grass, sheep, and stone ruins. It was another very exciting and memorable
day but now it is time to sleep.”
3/20/2008 Thursday Killarney (3:00 pm Seattle Time 10:00 pm Killarney Time same day) WE have received an email from Nadine Santo Pietro with more of HER PICTURES!!! “We had a great day! We
started off with a tour of the Muckross House which was quite interesting. After that we made a trip around the Ring of Kerry. We got to see a lot of the countryside, the hills and the coastline
with several stops along the way for photo ops and food. We got to the top of the mountain for the view of the coast and an old ring fort. It was so windy that we had to lean forward a bit to balance;
everyone found it to be fun and exhilarating! The wind was also a boon in that it blew the fog and the rain away (otherwise we would not have seen much). There were many points of interest along the
way as we were driving (ruins of old estates and watch towers, sheep, deer, rugged landscape, gnarled trees, amusing road signs, rivers and ocean...). The choir performed in the lobby of our hotel on
the elegant staircase and in front of the restaurant right before dinner. They did a beautiful job! Tomorrow morning, we are giving the kids some free time to shop in Killarney before we leave for
Dublin (skipping Bunratty castle because it is closed for Good Friday). They are quite pleased about the extra time. We’ll stop at Adair village as planned and arrive in Dublin in time for dinner.”
3/21/2008 Friday Dublin (3:00 pm Seattle Time 10:00 pm Dublin Time same day) We have received our last email from Vince Santo Pietro, “We had a fine last day touring in Ireland. Students had some free
time in Killarney before departing to Dublin. Along the way we stopped in Adare village to see the thatched cottages. Then the Crescent Shopping Mall outside Limerick for some last minute shopping and
lunch. Some wrote limericks along the way that we read on the bus. There was much history and culture pointed out as we passed important sites to Irish culture. Arriving back at Dublin we had Dinner
and a group meeting to do thank yous and farewells to some of our hosts, Tom, and the drivers. It was a happy and sad time. Most are ready to come home but also hate to leave the new friends they have
made. Parents and staff met to go over departure and then off to bed. Tomorrow we leave except for the WASL flight which will do the Dublin tour and Kilkenny castle then depart Sunday.” There lives
have been forever impacted by their visit to Ireland!
For Parents meeting American Airlines first call America Airlines at 1-800-433-7300 or go online at www.aa.com and check the Flight Status of American Airlines (Flight #425 for the Choir or American Airlines
Flight #1377 for the Band) to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation at Baggage Claim #2 (Check the monitors to be sure!). There has been inclement weather in Chicago delaying flights so
please check flight status before you depart for the airport. Also remember that American Airlines Travelers will have cleared US Customs in Chicago and will arrive at baggage claim short after landing.
For Parents meeting SAS first call SAS at 1-800-221-2350 or go online at www.flysas.com and check the Flight Status of SAS Flight #937 to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation at International
Baggage Claim #1 or as the walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 40 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and US Customs after their flight arrives.
3/22/2008 Saturday - Seattle Welcome Home!
3/22/2008 Saturday Dublin (3:00 pm Seattle Time 10:00 pm Dublin Time same day) Today our 52 Members (on the WASL Flight) enjoyed the Dublin City Tour including a visit to Trinity College (Founded by Elizabeth I in
1592 on the site of an Augustinian monastery, Trinity College is one of Ireland's foremost seats of learning. Swift, Wilde and Beckett all attended Trinity). The College is guardian to one of Ireland's most treasured
possessions, namely the 9th century 'Book of Kells'. The delegation also visited Killkenny Castle which was also very interesting and a fine example of Victorian upper class dwelling from converted Norman period castle. After
dinner the members reviewed their departure information and packed to return to Seattle. Their lives have also been forever impacted by their trip to Ireland.
3/23/2008 Sunday (Seattle) For Parents meeting SAS first call SAS at 1-800-221-2350 or go online at www.flysas.com and check the Flight Status of SAS Flight #937 to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation at International
Baggage Claim #1 or as the walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 40 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and US Customs after their flight arrives.
2008 SCHS Band/Choir Dublin, Cork, Cobh, Killarney, Ireland Trip Pictures
WCE Reminder:
If you receive an exciting email or picture from one of our delegation members, please forward the email or picture to the
Washington Cultural Exchange Office and we will post it! Our email address is start@wce.org.
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