Ireland Youth Trip Summary

On Tuesday, April 10th, members of the Milwaukee Hurling Club descended on Dublin and marked – what we believe to be – the first time an American youth hurling group has traveled to Ireland.

Meeting at the Dublin airport, the team proudly wore their team gear (graciously supplied by Martin Donnelly, of M. Donnelly and Co, Ltd (www.mdonnelly.ie).  The sea of navy and royal blue distinguished us from the other travelers, immediately drawing attention with the obvious question of “who are those kids?”.

The first stop for our team was a tour of Croke Park and the GAA Museum, truly impressive representations of all that Gaelic sport, specifically hurling, means to the Irish consciousness and identity.   We were welcomed by our sponsor, Martin Donnelly – otherwise known affectionately as St. Martin – at the entrance to the GAA Museum.  After gratitude was express, photos taken, and gifts given, Mr. Donnelly presented us with M. Donnelly sliotars as a final gift for our tour.

The tour of Croke Park, with our tour guide Tony, took us in the stands (where MHC friend, President Mary McAleese sits) and the locker room (did DJ Carey prepare for a game in here?).  While we didn’t get to go onto the field, I’m sure we all imagined what it would be like to take a last minute penalty shot for the win.

On our second day, the team drove from Dublin to Galway, stopping at Clanmacnoise (a monastic settlement) on the way.  The drive highlighted one of the best aspects of our trip – our bus driver, John, who helped us pass the time every day with interesting facts and theories on Ireland and the areas we were visiting.  Along with his wit, he helped to make our trip memorable!

Once arriving at the Annaghdown GAA Club (www.annaghdowngaa.com), we were immediately welcomed by young hurlers and families who had prepared a light lunch for us to enjoy, prior to the afternoon of training.  The two days at Annaghdown were exceptional in every way.  The two day training seminar gave our team the opportunity to hone their skills and make new friends.  Our trainers were very happy to learn that our kids were representing the MHC well and were able to show that, although we are American, we are hurlers!

One highlight was getting the opportunity to meet Joe Canning, THE up and coming hurling star in County Galway.  At the young age of 18, Joe has found much success on the hurling pitch.  He took the afternoon to talk to the kids, telling them about the importance of practicing – not just the stuff you are good at, but the skills you aren’t good at too!  He posed for pictures, autographed hurleys and jerseys, and represented himself and his county in a way that is unfortunately rare.

While in Galway, our group was treated to a historical walk through Galway by the renowned Peadar O’Dowd, a Galway historian.  He walked us from the Brown Doorway and through the streets of Galway, separating fact from fiction, and truly making the history of the beautiful port town of Galway come to life.

From Galway, our group traveled down the County Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher and through the burren, and stopped to witness the gorgeous countryside along the way.  Arriving in Ennis proved interesting – as our big bus did not quite fit on the narrow streets.  This did not stop our driver, John – as he fit our bus into spaces that looked too small for a Volkswagen.

After checking into our hotel in Ennis, we took the short drive to the Clarecastle GAA Club (www.clarecastlegaa.ie) where they were waiting to put our team through a grueling training session with their top trainers.  After training, our hosts invited us to stay for an evening hurling match at their club.  The match was very fun to watch.  But what grabbed most people’s attention was the additional player on the field:  a border collie with no name that seemed determined to herd the hurlers! 

Our last full day in Ireland was chock full of activities.  Three team members were invited (because of their age) to represent the Clarecastle Magpies in a Go Games Blitz, at a neighboring club.  Kennedy McGuigan, and Kevin and Eric Hobbins not only got to wear the Magpie jersey and play in multiple Go Games, but they were deemed “Magpies for Life!” by the Clarecastle representatives.  What an honor for the kids and the club!  At the same time as the blitz, the remaining members of our group toured Torpey Wood Products, the club’s original hurley provider.  Sean Torpey led the tour for his father, John.  All of us were very intrigued and surprised by the amount of time and effort goes into making just one hurley.

After visiting Torpey Wood Products, the team went back to Clarecastle to see another Senior level hurling match – The Magpies won!

Upon arriving at Bunratty Castle that afternoon, the team was greeted by Rosie and Denis, of Animal Magic, who came from Killmalock, Limerick with a brood of creatures (owls, snakes, falcons, rabbits, dogs, etc…) for a brief introduction to wildlife.  The kids were given the opportunity to hold the animals and reptiles and ask questions.  Rosie and Denis donated their time and energy when they learned of our visit – Denis played hurling growing up as a boy in Limerick, and their two sons play hurling at their local parish.

On our last night, the group met for dinner at the hotel – thanking each other and our driver John, bringing to a conclusion the amazing five days we just experienced.  The next day we all boarded the bus to head to Shannon airport.  A bit bleary eyed and a little sad, we said our final goodbyes and boarded our flights.

All in all, the trip was a huge success, due to the very hard work of every one who went and many who didn’t. 

On behalf of the myself, Russ, John and Dan, we would like to thank the MHC Youth League parents for their support, “St.” Martin Donnelly for his sponsorship and support, The Irish Fest Foundation for their assistance in making this trip a reality, Dave Olson and the Milwaukee Hurling Club for working behind the scenes to organize contacts in Ireland for us, Michael Geoghegan and the Annaghdown GAA Club in Galway for the wonderful reception and training the kids received, the Clarecastle GAA Club in County Clare for the great training and unique opportunities they gave our team, Joe Canning for the advice and support you are giving all youth hurlers, everyone at the GAA Museum and Croke Park for the wonderful tour we were given, Peadar O’Dowd for taking time from his schedule to give us the best tour of Galway anyone has ever had, Rosie and Denis of Animal Magic for allowing our team to get to know their beautiful creatures, The Old Ground Hotel for their hospitality, The County Clare Inn and Pub for lending us their side room countless times, Concours Motors for helping us with our first fundraiser, Dr. Tim Crain for helping us to understand Irish history just a bit better, and our driver John Costello – for providing the unique stories and insights into the great country of Ireland. 

But most important – we would like to thank the kids.  Not only did you represent the MHC and your families in a way that made us all proud, but you paved the way for future teams to make this trip – not just for the MHC, but for hurling clubs throughout North America! 

-- Karen Fink

Ireland Youth Trip Press Releases

The Milwaukee Hurling Club is extremely proud to release the following press releases pertaining to the MHC Youth's trip to Ireland in April of 2007.

The Milwaukee Hurling Club is very happy to announce that the Irish Fest Foundation (irishfest.com) has given a very generous donation that is helping us underwrite the costs associated with our trip to Ireland in April 2007. We are proud and honored to have the support of this wonderful organization.

The youth league's trip is sponsored in-part by Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation Inc. and M Donnelly & Co. Ltd. in Dublin. Please check out Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation's site here and M Donnelly's site here (or click on logos below).

Click here for the Late Night Catechism fundraiser news release.

Click here for the Ireland trip news release.

Details of the Ireland Youth Trip

Members of the MHC Youth League will be traveling to Ireland in April of 2007 to visit various hurling related sites (the GAA Museum and Croke Park) and visit hurling clubs throughout the country, including Milwaukee's sister city, Galway.

During their time, these young hurlers will have the opportunity to participate in GAA-sponsored training and hone their hurling skills. Their visit will be the first time a youth hurling club from America visits the Emerald Isle. For more information about fundraising and trip sponsorship, please email milwaukeehurling@yahoo.com.