Post WYD in Ireland

After an incredible week in Madrid, we moved on to Ireland for a post-WYD retreat and debrief. In what would prove to be a whirlwind, 2 day experience we saw a little of what Ireland had to offer. Unfortunately we were also given the chance to readjust to weather that was more in line with Australia’s winter than the amazing Spanish summer!!

After landing an Ireland (and finally making it out of the airport) we were straight on the bus to Enniskillen. With a short stop in Kells to admire the round tours, Celtic crosses, and the history it had to offer. While many spent time wandering the cemetery, picking out names from family history, I was perhaps a little over-excited about the round tower (seriously something out of a fairy tale… I’m thinking Rapunzel!!).

Off the bus in Enniskillen (and literally freezing although its summer), we went home with our Irish host families to a nice warm house with fire blazing (in summer!!!). For the first day in Ireland we jumped aboard the Lady of the Lake on Loch Erne to Devenish. Green rolling hills in every direction, but thankfully no rain to spoil our expedition. The monastery ruins provided a beautifully picturesque location for us to celebrate mass again just with our group. From Devenish we went on to Monaghan to see the cathedral built by volunteers from the diocese centuries ago… but of course, when in Ireland the most important thing of all, we had to go to an Irish pub.

Day 2 in Ireland was the most important of this part of the trip. We ventured to Loch Derg, to Station Island (also known as St Patrick’s Purgatory) for a debrief session and a taste of what the traditional 3 day pilgrimage offers. We had the chance to relive the highs of the previous weeks and reflect on how we would take all we had learned with us back to our family, our parishes, and our everyday lives in the real world.

One last piece of excitement before heading home… when we arrived back in Enniskillen, mine and Tennille’s host dad, Liam, was very disappointed to hear that Tennille had not fulfilled her dream… we hadn’t visited a castle!! So to address this issue we were taken 20 minutes outside Enniskillen to the ruins of Monea Castle. I think I was almost as excited as Tennille to walk through what remained of a true castle, something we would never find in Australia.

Flying out of Belfast was sad. There was so much more of Ireland we hadn’t seen and we were leaving behind group members who would travel further. However we were on our way home, and I couldn’t wait to see my family and tell everyone all about the amazing experience that was World Youth Day Madrid.

…And for those who have heard and want a taste of what such an experience has to offer… World Youth Day, Rio de Janeiro!!!! Be There!!!!

Lucy Bryant