Dublin B

The Opening Day

The Welcome Party was held at the Royal Hospital Kilmanaham Dublin. Teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany, Argentina, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa and the USA were there. The evening was opened by Mary Robinson President of Ireland. A parade of the teams was held in the grounds of the historic hospital and after that the party was on. The Banquet hall and Cellars were used for the occasion. Traditional Irish entertainment food and drink was the order of the evening.

My People I have arrived	Hey I got through customs
That must be Croc Dundee	Waiting for the Pubs to open
Loitering with intent	So this is what Mother's milk tastes like.
She always did love a man in uniform	Just like a bush dance at home
Our own mini Riverdance

At The Field

The games were played at Marlay park, 10kms south of Dublin City. It is a 214 acre regional park and is the location for many of Dublin's sporting competitions. The teams were transported to and from their hotels by the Dublin Bus Co. These trips were entertaining to say the least. The roads around Marlay park were not really designed for double decker buses. So with the drivers going a speeds that would have the Pope praying and drivers who got lost, it was genuine Irish entertainment. Mind you as someone said the walk from the bus to the playing fields was a six pack journey.

Rootatahs performing their war dance	The opposition attempting to get us drunk
The coach gives the game plan whilst the opposition listen in.	Two of the Spice Girls in drag at the talent Competition.
Two Molly Malones from down under	Listen gang we could be in trouble, none of the opposition are under 60

Dublin City

The team stayed at the Temple Bar Hotel right in the heart of the City. It is a popular area with the young set of Dublin and visitors from Britain. On our first day there, we met a young lad who have come over from England for the weekend, just for the "craic" he said. The team visited many of Dublin's famous pubs and a visit to the biggest brewery was not forgotten. A tour of Dublin in an open topped bus was a good introduction to the city. The tour guide/driver was a real comic to say the least.

Collecting a bob or two for our fare home.	Behind the bar at the Brewery.
Just how far is it to Sydney