New Ireland Post

Friday, March 7, 2008 - Glencree, Ireland

We had originally planned to go to Belfast today, but the van had a mechanical problem and had to go into the shop; a trip to Belfast was arranged for Saturday.

Since we had worked a full day on Thursday and Friday was a scheduled day off, we decided to leave our paint brushes and tools idle and enjoy some rest and relaxation. We joined a high-energy school group of 15-16 year-olds from a Community School for breakfast. These teen-agers were from a public school in the suburbs of Dublin. The School is open to all who live in the district, but a teacher told us that all the students were Catholic.

After breakfast and making final arrangements for the Belfast trip, four members of our group (Jim and Mary, Bob and Joan Marie) went to the Wicklow Way hiking trail. We walked to the top of Knockree Hill, which provided a magnificent view of Glencree valley, Big Sugarloaf Mountain, the town of Bray, and the ocean. After enjoying a packed lunch, we hiked through a sheep pasture, where the sheep were not cooperative when requested to remain in the area for photographs. The trail continued along the fast-flowing, clear and cold Glencree River and ended with a climb through Frone Wood. We saw a wonderful rainbow overhead. It was a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Irish countryside and experience the Irish March weather, which was periods of sunshine, interspersed with a couple of rain showers.

Susan and Ann hiked to a nearby lake and got caught in the pouring rain, but were rewarded by seeing a huge rainbow beginning at the Glencree Centre and ending in the valley.

A quiet supper at the cafeteria was enjoyed by all. It was a day of peace and tranquility.

- Bob Thompson


Saturday, March 8, 2008

Our team-leader, Michele, finished her meetings with people from Corrymilla. Bob and Joan and Jim and Mary left at about 6:30 AM to meet a tour bus in Dublin that would take them to Belfast. Once in Belfast, they took a “Black Taxi” tour of the peace murals and the wall.

When Michele returned to Glencree after lunch, she drove Susan and Ann to Bray, wherein they took the DART north of Dublin to Howth, and then south to Greystones before returning to Bray. The coast ride between Bray and Greystones was particularly scenic. Michelle, Susan and Ann stopped at a pub along the water’s edge in Bray and had a very tasty dinner and some Guinness.

Mary and Jim and Bob and Joan returned from their Belfast trip around 6:30 and then stopped for dinner at a fast-food Chinese restaurant before returning to Glencree.


Sunday, March 9, 2008 Dateline: Glencree, Co. Wicklow, Republic of Ireland

Sunday was a workday for us as Friday and Saturday had been left free for the planned trip to Belfast. After breakfast we reconnoitered to recall where we had left our tasks and to see where we would pick up. Since we had made good progress, Geraldine had added a few tasks to the list. To finish the first list, we needed to clean up the kitchen and paint the ceiling in the corridor. It was decided that we needed some additional trim and radiator paint and a good scrub brush for the kitchen floor. Michele and Susan headed to Woody’s DIY for the supplies while Bob and Joan, Jim and Mary and Ann commenced on the kitchen and hallway.

Susan was pleased to see Woody’s, which turned out to be much like a Lowe’s or Home Depot in the US, if not quite so large. We got our paint and scrub brush, but failed to find the deodorizer for neutralizing the reminders left be the resident cats. On the way back we stopped at SuperQuinn, the grocery, to pick up scones and more soda bread. The bakery section was brim full of all sorts of great looking baked goods, all made on the premises. One last stop in Enniskerry for a mocha latte, then back to Glencree to pitch in on the work.

The Volunteers Kitchen was shaping up nicely. Several of us were working on scrubbing paint spatters off the floor left by our crew and many others before us. Mary took advantage of the afternoon sun to clean the windows, and Jim and Joan took turns painting the corridor ceiling.

Given the good progress and the nice weather, Jim and Mary knocked off a bit early to get a walk in since today would be their last day in Glencree. True to its form during our stay, the weather changed while they were out, and a shower brought them scurrying for shelter.

After a dinner of fish pie and chocolate cake with whipped cream, we gathered for a last evening meeting before the departure of four of our team tomorrow. We reviewed the team goals we’d set our first day to evaluate our progress toward meeting them. We all agreed that we had all experienced Ireland, by hiking and touring and visiting pubs and various other cultural sites. Our second goal was to learn about the mission of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and to participate in peace building. The group all agreed that we had learned a tremendous amount about the work of the Centre and were all grateful for the time spent with us by the entire Centre’s staff. The third goal was to serve in our roles as volunteers. While we all feel as though we have worked hard and gotten work done that will improve the situation for the longer term international volunteers here at Glencree, the group is unanimous in its feeling that we have also been served very much as well and have benefited even more than we have given.

After discussing the possibility of watching a movie, we agreed to call it a night. The one-week team members went upstairs to pack.


Monday, March 10, 2008

Departure day for four members of the team started with breakfast. We were all pleased that the monster storm we had been expecting last night seemed to have past during the night with powerful winds and driving rain. We thanked Michele for her leadership with a photo of a Glencree horse, she had admired in the coffee shop. She was very touched and told us the story of why the picture had appealed to her so much. While we waited to meet with Glencree staff, the Irish weather presented us with a snow squall of the biggest snowflakes any of us had ever seen. After breakfast, the Glencree staff gathered to thank the team and to present the departing members with Peace Bonds to remind them of their time here. Pat gave each of the departing team a Glencree heart he had made- necklaces for the women and keychains for the men. Jim and Bob both spoke for the team, thanking the Glencree staff for their time and for the opportunity to come here to work and to learn that we have all enjoyed so much.

As Michele and Amer left to take those leaving to Dublin, Ann and Susan toured with Geraldine to confirm our remaining tasks. We commenced to painting the volunteers’ bathrooms and spent the rest of the day so occupied.

The dwindling group of “Globals” as we are known by the Glencree folk, gathered for dinner to feast on a wonderful Irish stew that Wendy, the chef, made for us. We all retired early tonight, happy to be indoors as Pat said we are promised more very high wind and rain over night and tomorrow.

- Susan Kiefer