The sights and sounds of Ireland and Scotland during March Break by Brennan Doherty Grade 12, Abbey Park H.S. ost people go somewhere warm on their March Break vacations. This year, eight Abbey Park High School students and their teacher, Mrs. Terri Beckwith, stepped on a plane Friday, March 8 with a different destination in mind -- eight days of travelling the beautiful regions of Ireland and Scotland. The group met Lewis, their tour director, and two other groups (one from Orillia and another from just outside Austin, Texas) at Dublin International Airport. Introductions were made, luggage was recovered, and a bus was found to drive them through Dublin's narrow streets. A stop at the National Museum of Ireland, some shopping in the twisting, narrow pedestrian centre of Grafton Street, and a night out at a pub and restaurant in Temple Bar finished off the day, and kept the jet-lagged group from falling asleep. The next day saw the group driving all around Dublin; visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral, driving through Temple Bar and past Liffey River, ducking into the 500-year-old Trinity College Campus to see the Book of Kells on display, and stopping at Phoenix Park to stand on the spot where Pope John Paul II conducted mass to one million people. Driving through the beautiful Irish countryside took up day three, with Lewis explaining the bloody history of Irish independence. Around noon, the group was eating lunch just outside of Belfast's City Hall, after having met up with a third tour group from just south of Ottawa. The group visited several murals 17 | Friday, April 19, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com M and monuments at Falls and Shankill roads, before heading to one of the newestmuseums in Ireland, B e l f a s t 's Titanic exhibit. The next morning, the group had a two hour ferry ride across the Irish Strait to Cairnryan. From there, another bus picked the group up and drove along the enrapturing Scottish coastline and into the Lowlands. After visiting the cottage of famed Scottish poet Robert "Robbie" Burns, the coach drove through the old city of Glasgow, stopping to admire Glasgow Cathedral (and the amazing organist within), as well as the chilling hillside cemetery known as the Necropolis. The second-last day of the trip was spent in Edinburgh; strolling through the cramped medieval streets of the Canon Gate, admiring the stark towers of Edinburgh Castle, and shopping along the Royal Mile. Bagpipes, haggis, and the legendary Scottish soft drink known as IRNBRU, all managed to work their way into the group's day. The sleepy town of Stirling was the group's last stop. Stirling Castle, winding streets, and a 200-year-old pub made up the group's final day in the country. Following an incredibly early morning and a `Queen' sing-along at 4 a.m., the group flew home. There's still a lot more to tell -- the infamous Black Cab tour, some terrible puns, and a number of shenanigans involving Lewis. Ask the people who went. They'll be able to tell you about everything that didn't fit in this column. I know I will. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at ellergreen58@gmail.com. FLOOR MODEL 15% OFF REGULAR PRICED ITEMS * DON'T PAY UNTIL 2014!* HUGE INVENTORY BLOW OUT UP TO ON BRAND NEW FURNACES & AIR CONDITIONERS CALL NOW, QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED! 95% HI-EFFICIENCY DC MOTOR GAS FURNACE IN GOVERNMENT REBATE 50 $ % OFF $ Was ONLY HI-EFFICIENCY AIR CONDITIONERS 650 UP TO NOW Was $ Per month BRAND NEW UNITS AVAILABLE ONLY IN 4 SIZES Was *See dealer for details THE FORECAST CALLS FOR $99 ONLY$49 Fine Furnishings & Accessories A+ RATING Winston Churchill OAC HEATING & COOLING www.aireone.com · 1-888-827-2665 905-849-4998 905-632-0505 9 Locations To Serve You Better! 2575 Dundas St.W., Mississauga between Winston Churchill & Erin Mills Pkwy Dundas IN HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION AVAILABLE 905-820-4111 Q.E.W. * On floor sample items only. **Not applicable with any other promotions. Erin Mills Pakrway 78 NOW ONLY $ 39 Per month 58 $ Per month FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE 29 Per month OAC MISSISSAUGA HOME AND DESIGN CENTRE N