EIL's Co. Clare Local Coordinator and International Students Tour the Sites of the West of Ireland.
22nd January, 2011. EIL International Students on the Secondary School
in Irleand programme took a day trip together to visit local sites
of importance in Co. Clare. Organised by Local Coordinator, Pauline Maguire, this was an opportunity
for students to visit with one another and welcome new students who
just joined the programme at the start of January while also saying goodbye to two who will be leaving at the end of this month. On Saturday, they all met up in Quin where Pauline is from at 12 midday and then departed to see Quin Abbey. The teens were all in high spirits and delighted to meet each other and welcome new students who have only been in Ireland for 3 weeks. There were only two students that could'nt make it.
They then went from Quin Abbey to Mooghaun Ringfort which is about 3 miles away for a lovely walk in the woods and saw the ringfort. From there, onwards to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park which was the final tourist attraction of the day. All stayed on for lunch at Meadows and Byrne. Thankfully, weather was dry and sunny, but still a bit cold. For those who will be departing for home at the end of the month, it was a lovely send off and last chance to exchange contact details to stay in touch. Students Alex Jansen of Germany and Charlotte Wolfe of America have been in Ireland and living in Co. Clare since August 2010. They will be leaving their Irish schools, friends and host families to rejoin their normal lives at home with both excited anticipation but also some sad goodbyes.
Three new students just joined the Co. Clare community: Mo Esposito of Belgium, Madeline Evans of Australia and Sophia Weegan of Germany. A lovely day was had by all that were able to attend. Host father to Mo, Tom Dowling, also joined the group.