LEAD XXX Intl Travel/Study - Ireland

Bewley Hotel, Dublin Ireland.

Eleven years ago, this hotel was a girls boarding school. In 2001 it won the best new hotel in Dublin. Staying at the hotel with us were 1200 (+ or -) of Ireland's Best and Brightest high school science students.

LEAD fellow Ryan K. introduces the Laoise Partnership on Rural Development representative.

Farm house for overnight stay.

Dinner at the farm house near Kilkenny.

After departing from our stay with Irish host families in Kilkenny, we headed to Waterford to visit with the faculty at Waterford Institute of Technology. They provided information about their growing programs, which includes Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture and Food Science.

Photo is of a new bridge that we crossed going into the city of Waterford.

A quick stop along the road for a picture, with the Irish coast in the background. Pictured are LEAD class members Deb N., Darci M., Janita K., Jennifer E. and Connie W.

Our final stop for the day was a tour of the Jameson Irish Whiskey brewery in Middleton. We then headed to Cork to spend the night.

Tim O'Leary dairy farm in Cork, Ireland

Doug B. and Kelli S. at the dairy farm

Jamie B, Kelli S, and Darci M. at Blarney Castle

Adam H., Scott N. and Ryan K. at the top of Blarney Castle

Only in Ireland, could this happen...Scott N. and Dave H. not only packed the same shirt, but they wore it on the same day. It must be the Luck of the Irish!

Today one of our stops was the Rock of Cashel. This is a group of buildings built in the 11th and 12th centuries that over time have housed royalty as well as both the Catholic and Protestant churches.

In the photo you see numerous LEAD fellows checking out the Rock of Cashel from multiple perspectives.

Photo - Hauling feed in Norhtern Ireland.

Today we traveled from Dublin towards Northern Ireland. Along the way, we toured Johnston Gilpin & Co. Ltd John Deere Dealership. LEAD fellows were interested to learn about challenges and opportuities facing this John Deere Dealership.

We continued our travels to Belfast were we heard from Ortus, a local business development agency. This business was located next to a "Peace Wall" that used to divide Belfast religious groups. These graffitii covered walls is an interesting sight and a reminder about the city's not so distant history.

Later we heard from a local member of the assembly about current politics and the psst time of the "troubles". Again, we were remined that the city used to be more divided than we could fathom.

We closed the day with each LEAD fellow sharing some of what they have learned during this past week.  For some, there was also time for a quick walk around part of the city to see some of the sights, including Queens University of Belfast.

Tomorrow morning, we bid our Irish tour guide goodbye and board a ferry towards Scotland.