Friday started off with breakfast in the hotel and nice buffet. If you've ever traveled to the UK you know that stanadard British breakfast includes stewed tomatoes, what we would call baked beans, and blood sausage. Fortunately there were also standards like eggs, cereal, yogurt and toast.
Friday was a soft day in Ireland, meaning that it was a bit cool (even cold at times) and damp. After breakfast we all boarded the bus for the cathedral where we received a short history lesson on Celtic Spirituality and a short prayer service in the Lady Chapel (i.e Mary's chapel). Finally about 11 we got around to the business of trying to rehears but we need to work out a lot of logistics with the instrumentalists and dancers. And after a couple of movements we decided we needed to switch the voices around. Lots of moving and lots of people in a tight space. We broke for lunch around 1 and all headed down the very long and steep hill on foot to find lunch. Needless to say the trip back up was a challenge. \I couldn't imagine people doing that on a regular basis just to get to church.
AFternoon rehearsal went until 5:30, a quick run back to the hotel for dinner and to change and then back to the church for the concert. As in Des Moines, the beginning of the concert was preceded with special music. In addition to Tommy Sands and family, who were joined by a Kevin Kniff (sp) of the Chieftans, we had a trio of young musicians - a piper and two string players - who were just wonderful. Finally at 8:15 it was OUR turn to take the stage. We had an audience of about 150 people so we were happy with that. The concert overall went quite well - no stops! - though there were a few scary moments. Ben was doing the solo on the Credo so we had the director from Opus 42 with us to direct. \It provided a few scary moments (at least personally) but we made it through. Overall I think we were very well received. The Mayor was was there and there was a free will offering with all of the proceeds going to a charity of her choice.
We got back to the hotel about 10:30 and several of us spent some time unwiding in the hotel bar. A few of us decided to try our luck at a bit of gambling in the hotel - just a pound. Sort of a lottery type game but none of us won. So off to bed about midnight.
This morning it's off to Belfast just for the day for sightseeing and our concert. We have dinner scheduled for after the concert and then back to Armagh for our last night in N. Ireland. Fortunately tomorrow morning is a late call.
I have not been able to post any pictures due to some technical difficulties (wi-fi is not free in the hotel) but hopefully can find some in Belfast later today and can at least get something on Facebook.
Happy Saturday to all!
Lori
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