The Galway Stopover  - We're HOME!!

A Cháirde go léir, Pádraig anseo agus tá mé inGaillimh! Ní chreidim é fós ach geallaim daoibh go bhfuil mé anseo. Tá an Rás tagtha go Gaillimh agus tá na milte daoine ann chun fáilte a chur romhainn.Táim bródúil as an gcathair seo.

Hello my friends. We are in Galway at last - it's as if all my birthdays have come together on one day! If I told you that the entire population of Galway city came out to greet us in the middle of the night on May 24^th, you wouldn't believe me ...... but it really happened that way!  The great news is that Green Dragon has taken third place  and will be taking great pride in receiving its well deserved award on the podium.

It's great to be Irish  on such an occasion as this. You know, we Irish sometimes think we're not as good as everyone else - it stops right there! WE ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST! La crème de la crème! The bees knees! Galway will be the best stopover ever and I just love being a part of it. I know it's going to be a very busy and exciting time for me here in Galway. The Schools Programme is well under way and I am looking forward so much to meeting with all the boys and girls who will visit the Race Village as part of an organised school tour. The folk at  HB Lets Do It Ocean Adventure Schools Programme  are "playing a blinder" with the education programme. It's great that my blog is a hit with all kids , at home and abroad. And as for the Volunteers ..... they are simply the best! Maith sibh go léir!  

Today I had the best time. My friends from Walterstown N.S. in Cobh have come to the Race Village. I haven't seen them since August '08 when I left Cobh with the Green Dragon Team. They have made a four hour bus journey to meet me and they are so excited to be here. I'm going to be hugged to bits - bring it on!! Oh, and  can you believe this ...... my teacher Mrs. Dee Ryan will meet Theresa aka Mrs. O' Bear for the very first time. They have been "e" buddies since Aug.'08 and now they are going to meet in person. I'd better have the tissues ready!! Oh dear, it's happening as I speak. Yep.... all hugs and tears and I'm squashed in the middle! What a to do!! And now I'm going to be squashed even more by my twenty-two classmates from Walterstown. How a bear will remain dignified through all of this remains to be seen , but I'll do my best. What a great, great day!

We've had a tour of the Race Village and it's truly amazing - so child centred and inspiring. There is so much to learn about the sea, our natural coastal resources, and life on the ocean wave. I'm so glad I've discovered the world of sailing. Children everywhere should try to be involved. In fact, children in Cobh are so lucky to have sailing as part of the school curriculum at second level. So now sailing can be totally inclusive and all pupils can be encouraged to discover their sailing skills. After all, the Volvo Ocean Race will continue to inspire and encourage the young sailors of the future. In Cork Harbour the sailing tradition is extremely strong and vibrant. Long may it last!

My time with my classmates eventually came to an end and they had to begin the long journey home. They had such an amazing day - in the simulator, in the Dome, at the Grinder Challenge and of course in The Dragon's Den.  The Q and A session in the shed was so interesting. I even got to go on stage. My classmate Kirsty introduced me to all the boys and girls from other visiting schools. I was given a big "bualadh bos" (round of applause) and I swelled with pride. I'll remember this day for a long, long time. Lucky duck Bear - that's me!

The Inshore Racing on Galway Bay was fantastic. I was given a day off and was a VIP guest on the Discover Ireland spectator boat. I had such a great time.  We were entertained by Brian Hughes of Abbeyglen Castle Hotel ,Clifden, Connemara.  My good friend Johnny Smullen (GD Shore Team manager) aka Mr.Bear, was commentating for all the guests on board and he explained all about the race. There are  people out there who are new to the sport of sailing and Johnny really took the mystery out of it for them.

Another great treat was to spend time sailing on the famous Galway Hooker. Did you know that each hooker has its own story and  was named for the family who owned and worked it. There was one hooker called "An Meiriceán Mór" (The Big American) Theresa will love this one! It was Maitias Mhicil a'Ghabha Ó Guairim from Róisiín an Chalaidh, Carna who built the American Mór in the year 1884. It was built in Pádraig (great name!) Phetain Ó Conghaile's field beside Céibh Droighnigh in Inis Bearachain. He also built other boats - An Conor, An Cashel Star and the nobby Delia. An Meirican Mór worked like all the other boats of the time - turf from  Kinvara to Co. Clare and to Aran and goods from Galway for Connemara shopkeepers. She was then owned by Jackín Shéamais Sheáin Mhóir. One evening he shook hands with his neighbours,  said goodbye to them all and then set off to America!(Or so he said!) When he realized, west of Aran what he had done he decided to change his mind and returned home. On his return , three days later, a villager spotted him and announced "Ó , the Big American is home again!" He was referring to Jackín, of course, but the name stuck and remained with the boat! Nice story for Mrs. O'Bear, eh? 

I really must try to get an early night. I have a very big day ahead of me tomorrow. I'm off to Cobh with Mrs. O'Bear. It will Theresa's first time in my home port and I am really excited about introducing her to my town and all its wonderful sights. I'm going to be a tourist for a day! Wow! The whole of Walterstown N.S. are on standby to meet with Mrs. O'Bear and myself. Sooooooooooo happy to be coming home!

Slán go fóil,

Pádraig the Bear©

©Dee M.Ryan and Theresa A. Smullen 2008/2009