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Group Photo: |
For a larger image of Group
Photo,
click on this Thumbnail:
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Mack Bailey's Tour of Ireland 2004
Front Row, Seated, left
to right:
Jackie Ronne, Ann
Becker, Karen Tupek, Marcia Theriault, Mack Bailey, Caroline Bailey, Derek
Ryan (our host and driver), Jan Case, Helen Pearson, Leslie Ross, Jessica-Diona
Hager, Jim Grim, Kathy Grim, Vicki Kensinger.
Middle and Back Rows,
Standing, far left to right:
Carole Bell, Lori Shore,
Val Jardine, Carl Jardine (behind), Nancy Newcomb, Jan Ebelke (behind), Harriet Ressegger, Garrett Ebelke
(behind), Rick Ressegger, Al Tupek (behind), Dave Theriault, Tony Shore
(behind), Lauren
Bailey (behind), Kathy McPhail, Kevin Brooks (behind), Barbara McKenna, Margie Hoff,
Dennis McKenna, Nathaniel Hager, Stew Nystrom (behind), Fran Nystrom, Bill Danusiar
(behind), Janine Clagg, Gail Danusiar, Woody Clagg (behind), Lynette Miller, Mark Miller
(behind), Joanne
Ritchie, Jeff Ross (behind), Seth Jason, Vicki Ross, Laurie Kern (behind), and Kim Delgros.
Our condolences to the Moores, who had to return home due to a loss in the family.
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Itinerary & Photos: |
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Day One
Overnight flight to Shannon Airport.
Day Two - Cliffs of Moher and to
Killarney
Our route to Killarney was via the
old market town of Ennis and westward to the mighty Cliffs of Moher. Rising
to almost 700 feet above the ocean and stretching for 5 miles, the Cliffs
offered sweeping views of the Atlantic, the Aran Islands, and Galway Bay ( -
not to mention gale-force winds!).
Next, we passed through the seaside resort of Lahinch, renowned for its golf
courses, then south to Killimer, across the
Shannon
River by ferry into Tarbert, County Kerry. We continued on through Listowel
and Tralee, where the Baileys posed for photos by the Bailey Tavern.
In Killarney at a local pub down the way, Mack sat in with the O'Donoghue
sisters and strummed along to Irish tunes, inserting a few of his own songs
in between. Our first great beer-tasting in a local pub. A long
but fun day.
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Tour
Highlight:
Cliffs of
Moher |
Kathy and Margie braving the winds
Photo: Laurie Kern |
Mack at the
Cliffs, braving 70 MPH winds |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Mack poses by
the Bailey's Corner Pub
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Caroline
enjoys the evening pub scene |
Mack joined
the O'Donoghue sisters in playing and singing Irish music, plus a few of
his own. |
Kevin and
Mack strum along with the O'Donoghue sisters at the pub, Maura, Sheila
and Noreen (in pink) |
Enjoying the
pub and music: Jackie Ronne, Mrs. and Mr. Moore, Harriet and Rick
Ressegger, Kevin Brooks, Lynette Miller |
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Stew and Fran
Nystrom, Gail and Bill Danusiar |
Marcia and
Dave Theriault |
Lori and Tony Shore
Photo: from the Shores |
Kim, Margie, Seth & Laurie at a
mid-day pub stop
Photo: Laurie Kern
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Kathy Grim and Derek Ryan
Photo: Laurie Kern |
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Harriet & Rick Ressegger
Photo: Lori Shore |
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Day Three - The Ring of
Kerry
We departed on the breathtaking Ring of Kerry
tour, stopping first for an Irish coffee and shopping at Mackens of Ireland.
Our drive continued along the
Iveragh
Peninsula with a panorama of mountains, pikes, valleys
and seacoast interspersed with colorful villages, lunch overlooking the bay.
Many in the group took a horse and carriage ride with joke-telling guides
through the lovely national park along a lake. In the hotel's pub, Mack and Kevin put on their first concert, and engaged
the local children in dancing to their music.
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Tour
Highlights:
Ring of Kerry
scenery; Lakes |
Coastal
Scenery
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Farmland
divided by typical stone walls, along the coast |
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Ann Becker
with Mack, enjoying the scenery
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Peet Farm. Note pile of peet
on left.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Carole and Marcia.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Mack with Derek, the tour guide.
Photo: Carole Bell |
At the
Village of Peet, Mack and Al Tupek show off their new hats |
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Carriage ride
through the national park.
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Caroline
takes the reins
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The carriage
ride took us along a lake in the national park.
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During the
carriage ride, there appeared a mystical castle on an island in the
middle of the lake. |
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Singing with Sheila O'Donoghue
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Jackie Ronne
and Ann Becker
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 Stew and Fran
Nystrom, Woody and Janine Clagg, Gail and Bill Danusiar |
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Noreen
O'Donoghue
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Photo: Ann
Becker
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Link to SET
LIST |
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Day Four -
Blarney Castle and Galway
Our
route took us over the Derrynasaggart Mountains to the market town of
Macroom, passing through the Gaeltacht area of Ballyvourney where the Irish
language is spoken and old traditions preserved. We continued on to the
village
of Blarney and we visited the Castle where many kissed the famous Stone,
said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who participate in this
ancient custom. (Will Mack be more chatty on stage?) Many spent
loads of Euros at the world famous Blarney Woolen
Mills. After a brief stop at Bunratty Castle, we traveled over the rolling hills of Clare
to Galway and our hotel on the bay. A large group joined Mack at
O'Connell's pub, and some die-hards closed three pubs!
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Marcia and
Dave Theriault pose with Mack in Macroom
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Jackie Ronne
by the fortress in Macroom
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
The Blarney
Castle and grounds
Photo: Lori & Tony Shore |
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Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Mack and
Kevin wave while climbing to the top of the Blarney Castle |
Kevin
prepares to kiss the Blarney Stone
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Mack
preparing to kiss the Blarney Stone |
Mack kissing
the Blarney Stone. Legend says this feat will ensure that Mack is
an "eloquent" speaker for the next seven years. |
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Day Five - Connemara
Region
We had a short bus tour of the rugged Connemara region,
winding our way through majestic mountains and across sparkling rivers and
unspoiled beaches. We traveled along the bay shore, stopping to wade
in the cold water, through the towns of Moycullen, Maam Cross and
Oughterard and Spiddal. On the other side of the peninsula, we stopped
at a marble factory to see and purchase the lovely green marble. The
afternoon was free, so people took advantage of shopping and golf, among
other things. A small group went with Mack to the Galway Bay Golf
Course. In the evening, Mack and Kevin put on a wonderful concert full
of humorous, rowdy songs. We enjoyed our last evening together with
final toasts and photos.
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Some brave
souls tested the water temperature of Galway Bay. (Cold!) |
Photo: Carole Bell |
The stalled
bus needed a push for the jump start; the guys rallied and pushed. |
Garrett, Woody, Dave, Seth, Mack,
and Nathan
Photo: Carole Bell |
View from the outside, as the guys push the bus backwards for a
jump-start.
Photo: Marcia Theriault |
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They
succeeded and we were on our way again. |
Golfers: Al Tupek, Seth Jason,
Mack, Tony Shore, Karen Tupek, and Garrett Ebelke |
Mack
overlooks the Galway Bay Golf Course, with the bay in the background |
While the golfers player, others
strolled around Galway and spent their last Euros.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Our fearless guide, Derek, retrieved
everyone before we were totally broke.
Photo: Carole Bell
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After golf, Mack protests, "I did NOT drink all
those beers!"
Photo: Ann Becker
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Mack's
pub-mate, Lori Shore
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Al Tupek, Lori Shore, Mack, Karen Tupek, and Tony Shore,
enjoying the pub before dinner
Photo: from the Shores |
Ann Becker
and Lori Shore
Photo:
Toni Shore
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Karen
and her mom, Jackie Ronne.
Photo:
Lori Shore
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Kevin and
Mack entertained in a lively,
funny concert
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"What's that
song we're singing, again?" |
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Mack
consulting Caroline on his next song.
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Bat WHAT on
cave walls? |
Link to SET
LIST |
Kevin reads a
"limerick" to Jan. |
As Kevin
finishes the final flourish on his song, Mack still contemplates playing
Kevin's bass guitar. |
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Kevin Brooks,
Carole Bell and Mack |
Derek,
Caroline, and Mack |
Kim Delgros,
Derek Ryan, and Laurie Kern
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"Speak no evil . . . NO, . . what is
it?"
Derek, Seth and Mack figuring it
out.
Photo: Marcia Theriault
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They got it! Hear no evil,
speak no evil, see no evil - Derek, Seth and Mack |
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Mack, Seth
Jason, Jessica-Diona and Nathaniel Hager |
Margie Hoff
and Kathy McPhail with Mack |
Mack and good
buddy Seth Jason just can't stop laughing.
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Barbara
McKenna and son Dennis |
Derek,
Kevin Brooks and Mack |
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Kevin, Carole and Mack.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Photo: Carole Bell |
Kim and Laurie
Photo: Carole Bell |
Marcia and Dave Theriault
Photo: Carole Bell |
Carole with Caroline.
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Caroline and
her "boyfriend" Derek
Ryan, our
engaging and funny host.
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A toast to a
successful and fun trip.
Photo: Ann
Becker
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Barbara McKenna with son Dennis and
Kathy Grim.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Our tour leader, Lynette Miller,
with husband Mark.
Photo: Carole Bell |
Expectant parents Jessica and Nathan
Photo: Carole Bell |
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Looking forward
to England |
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Day Six - Farewell
to Ireland
We bid farewell to Ireland - some flew to
Scotland, others stayed in Ireland, and a few others flew with Mack to
England (see below) But, most flew home, with great memories.
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Woody Clagg, Stew & Fran Nystrom,
Janine Clagg, Carl Jardine
Photo: Laurie Kern |
Carl and Val Jardine
Photo: Laurie Kern |
Marcia with her Leprechaun
Photo: Laurie Kern |
Garrett, Jan, Carole, Jessica &
Nathan
Photo: Laurie Kern |
Harriet, Rick, and Kim
Photo: Laurie Kern |
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