Holiday @ Home, Shirley, 16th July 2026
This year almost 30 guests and a good number of helpers “travelled” to Ireland for our Holiday @ Home event for older people. On another hot July day there was Irish Mule or Guinness Zero on arrival, with cooling iced water as well, before we met our mischievous leprechaun host and settled to an introduction to some of the key tourist destinations of the Emerald Isle. Other features of our trip were a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory to watch the skill of the various craftsmen, and the opportunity to look in amazement (and longing) at the intricate playing and dancing of Irish musicians and step dancers. Craft activities included making leprechaun hats and little cottages, twisting pipe cleaners to form Celtic knots, and glass painting. There was also the personal challenge of puzzles or the opportunity to compete in a donkey derby or at getting tiddlywinks into a crock of gold. The event ended with an Irish-themed afternoon tea while people chatted happily about what a good time they had had.
