Competition Winner 2007
2007 Celtic Crossing “Trip to Ireland” Winners
Dr. Sam Shaw and his son Sam
 “As
I listen to the music, read the stories, and see the dance,
my heart longs for Ireland, with all its romance.”
My name is Dr. Sam Shaw and I’m a Memphis City Schools principal.
I’ve always loved Ireland, the land of my fathers, and thanks
to Celtic Crossing, my son and I were treated to eight days
there starting 7/10/2007.
During our trip, we traveled through 14 of the 26 Irish counties.
While there we experienced too many things to list, but the
trip highlights included: Visiting with the owner’s family
in Ballina right after their heritage day festival, the Cliffs
of Moher on the west coast, authentic music and dance, a medieval
banquet in a castle, the 3,000 year old megalithic tomb named
“Newgrange,” watched sheep cross the roads on Achill Island,
castles, Celtic high crosses, the Hill of Tara, and took our
meals and made new friends in the pubs. We also saw the magnificent
fortress church, “The Rock of Cashel” and the beautiful Glendalough
monastery.
 In
Dublin we strolled through the Temple Bar district, heard
“Evensong” at Christ Church Cathedral, visited the Guinness
Storehouse, saw the “Tara Broach,” and at Trinity College,
we viewed the highly decorated, millennium old New Testament
Bible, “The Book of Kells.”
My son and I wish to sincerely thank Celtic Crossing for
this extraordinary opportunity to visit the Emerald Isle.
We also want to encourage everyone who wishes to experience
an authentic Irish pub to either travel to Ireland or visit
Celtic Crossing.
Erin Go Bragh!
(Ireland Forever!)
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Competition Winner 2007
My husband and I, (Moose and Patty Wiseman), were blessed
and lucky to win the Ireland trip in 2006.
We landed in Shannon and drove to Galway. My husband did
very well on the drive but I wasn’t very comfortable with
the shrubbery on the left side of the car. I could have used
a few shots of whiskey.
Once in Galway, we stayed at the Radisson along with Australia
men’s and women’s Gaelic football teams. We ended up having
breakfast with one of the physios. Everyone we came into contact
with were very friendly and outgoing.
On our way to Ballina, we saw 3 rainbows and expected to
see Darby O’Gill and the little people at any time. Once in
Ballina, we stayed at the Belleek Castle. We were greeted
by the friendly castle dogs and the hostess. Their bar area
and other rooms have wood work and artifacts from a Spanish
Armada ship. That just happens to be a little of the history
surrounding the castle. Belleek Castle is located in Ballina,
County Mayo. It is found on 1,000 acres of woodland and forestry.
The Earl of Arran is at residence from time to time.
On our first day in Ballina at the Belleek Castle, we met
up with DJ’s brother Ronnie and family. This happened to be
All Hollow’s Eve. We were invited into their home for tea
and biscuits, but we opted for the wine instead. We were treated
as friends rather than strangers from across the pond. That
evening we met up with friend we met while they were on tour
of Memphis. We ended up closing down Crockett’s Restaurant.
The next day we had the privilege of meeting Gene O’Sullivan
(Gareth’s O’Sullivan’s da). He took us on a tour of County
Mayo. He was the most wonderful tour guide. He was even able
to make music on the “Singing Bridge.”
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