We sadly left the lovely town of Killarney and headed off to Cork, our third destination. Along the way, Conor provided us with an historical background on Ireland, beginning with the Easter Uprising of 1916, which started the march toward Irish freedom from centuries of (sometimes oppressive) British rule and ending with the Good Friday agreement of 1998 that brought peace to Northern Ireland.
Our first stop this day was at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, where we were to sing at the 11:45 service. We arrived a little early for our 10:45 set-up/rehearsal time, and the people who were to let us in arrived a lot late. The result being that we scrambled, once again, to be ready. It should be said here that the word of the day for all of performances here has been flexibility, never an easy trait for a choir director.
But the service, once it started, was very nice, and the people of the church were very welcoming to us. We sang four selections, and after the service got to know the people over coffee and biscuits. It was a delightful morning, and our best musical and cultural experience thus far.
Back on the bus for a short ride out to the famous Blarney castle, which has the Blarney Stone, site where an upside-down and backwards kiss will legendarily give you the gift of the gab. Some marched up the 90 steps to do it, others did not. We will let you determine for yourselves who got it when we get back.
Then back to Cork to check in to our hotel. We were greeted there with sad news to find out that Bruce Landers, a long-time member of the Grace First choir, passed away in his sleep on Friday night. We sleep in Cork tonight with heavy hearts. We will miss you, Bruce.
