Shannon's Solo Dancing Day

Hi Everyone,

As I write this blog, I know that this is my last blog from Dublin, Ireland for a while.  Our family just loves traveling to Ireland and this trip was short and sweet.  We will look forward to our next trip back to this great area of Ireland.  

It is now late Sunday night.  Today was another very busy and fun day of Irish Dancing in Dublin, Ireland!!!!

Today was Shannon’s solo dancing day.  It was a similar day to yesterday and it began by 7:00 a.m. with make-up, hair and a yummy breakfast. 

The first round of dancing began at 9:00, second round at 12:00.  Next came the waiting for the recalls.  We waited to see if Shannon got a recall.  Again, that means that she was invited back to dance again.  Shannon got the recall and she danced her first recall at 2:00 for her heavy shoe.  We then waited for the soft shoe recall announcements.  She was very lucky to get the second recall and she danced this round at 3:00 for her light, soft shoe.  Shannon danced very well today and we were thrilled that she was able to dance these rounds.

We closed our day with an awards ceremony and some pictures and celebrating.

Tomorrow we travel home and we will have terrific memories of the All-Ireland 2012. 

Enjoy some pictures.

Sharon

Erin's Solo Dancing Day

Hello Everyone,

It is now Saturday night in Dublin.  We had a wonderfully exhausting day.  Today was Erin’s solo day and it began by 7:00 a.m.  Up early for hair and make-up and a nice breakfast. 

Then, onto the dancing.  First round at 10:00, second round at 12:00.  We had to wait at that time to see if Erin got a recall.  That means that she was invited back to dance again.  She did get the recall and her first recall was at 4:00 for her heavy shoe.  She was also very lucky to get the second recall and she dance it at 5:00 for her light, soft shoe.  Erin also got the final set recall, which means that she dances her set piece.  A set piece is a special dance, it is kind of like your personal show piece.  She dance that at 6:00.  We are very fortunate and we are thrilled that Erin was able to dance all day long.  She did very well.

Our day ended with an awards ceremony and then some pictures and celebrating.  Erin got 22^nd in the hard show recall.  She got 9^th in the soft shoe recall and she placed 26^th overall at her first All-Irelands.  Wow!!!!!

We look forward to tomorrow.  Sunday is Shannon’s solo day.

Enjoy some pictures.

Sharon 

Day 2- Fun and Practice:)

Hello Everyone,

Today was another great day in Dublin.  It was very much of a practice day for the girls, but we were able to squeeze in some touring fun.

I want to wish my Uncle Al back in the states a very Happy Birthday,  I hope your day was wonderful!!

We started our day with a walking tour of the town of Saggart.  It was lovely, some beautiful old building and churches. 

We then went to the town centre of Kildare and strolled around some more. 

By late lunch time, we were back at City West, and well into practice mode with our friends. 

Erin dances tomorrow and Shannon dances on Sunday.  It will be busy days. 

Enjoy some more pictures of our day.

Sharon 

First day in Dublin, Ireland

Greetings Everyone and Hello from Dublin J 

We arrived in Dublin this morning after a great flight across the Atlantic.  We went straight to our hotel, City West, right outside of Dublin.  This is where the competition is being held and where we will be staying. 

I want to send a great big shout out to all friends and teachers of Shannon at Memorial Junior School.  She is having a ball and practicing for Sunday.

Erin wants to send greetings to everyone in Ms. Capone’s third grade class at Bee Meadow School and all of the friends and teachersJ  Erin is so excited to be in Ireland. 

The first day of travel is a challenging one.  We left Newark Airport at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday night and after approximately a 6 hour flight, we arrived in Dublin Airport at 6:30 a.m. local Dublin time.   This means that after only about 3-5 hours of sleep on the plane, we as travelers, have to be ready for a full day in Dublin.

We arrived at our hotel, had breakfast and then went straight into Dublin.  We toured around the inner city.  We loved shopping on Grafton Street. We visited Trinity College where the Book of Kells is kept.  We went to the Temple Bar area and had a wonderful lunch, with delicious hot fudge sundaes for dessert at the Elephant Castle.  We wanted to eat there, we knew the food was delicious and that this restaurant originated in London.  We plan to be in London in two years and hope to go the Elephant Castle in London as well.  

After a very long travel day, we will be heading to bed early and looking forward to our day tomorrow. 

Check out our pictures from today and look for more as we have some fun in Ireland.

Fondly,

Sharon