Day 3: Top of the Morning to Ya!

Well, more like good afternoon =] This morning Blue Wave and the Trojans squared off in a head-to-head meet at the New Park Pool. The format was a bit different: two events per swimmer, and the events were limited to the 50 free and 100 IM for the youngest kids and 100 free and the 100 IM for everyone else. There was also a relay - a different kind of relay. Each relay team had 4 boys and 4 girls - 2 each from the 12 -14 and two from 15 and up. Blue Wave represented themselves very well throughout the meet, and at the same time learned that there are some pretty fast swimmers on the Trojan club.

The medal presentation was pretty cool, as they had the 1, 2 and 3rd place stands for the medal presentation. The medals were presented by Chantal Gibney. For those who don't know, Chantal is not only a Blue Wave and Florida Gator Alum, but she was also an Irish Olympian.

There were numerous Blue Wave medalists, but because I don't have a list of all the medal winners, I don't want to list names, for fear of leaving someone out. Let's just say, that you all would have been very proud of the strong performances from your kids. Check out the photos attached (Note on photos: We were told shortly after the meet started not to take photos, but if we could be discrete and photograph without flash then we were free to sneak some in. I am hopeful that some of the other parents will send some good images).

Today we went to the Irish National Gallery of Art, the Book of Kells, and the Long Room at the Library of Trinity College. For anyone who comes to Ireland, this is a must stop. 200,000+ books in one 65 meter, two open stories high. Amazing!

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/heritage/events.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/heritage/longroom.php
http://www.paddi.net/images/longroom1.jpg
http://skippyshamrock.tripod.com/longroom.jpg

We were also invited to the home of the family that is host to Giorgie and Sloane. John and Mary McCarthy treated us like royalty. Actually everyone has welcomed the team with open arms.

Peter...THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THIS TRIP POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US! I suspect I am speaking for everyone when I say, we are all grateful - parents and swimmers - for the opportunity to exchange experiences with our new found friends in Dublin.

And oh yeah...Here's to you Adam: