For my family it was a Saturday afternoon with all my friends and family home for Thanksgiving. There was probably college football or an afternoon NHL game on the TV and I could only assume my dog, Bauer, was chewing on the last of my pucks I collected at the rink as a kid.
My Thanksgiving looked a tad different in away from my family. I was watching some of the best college hockey teams in the United States battle it out to be crowned champions of the 2022 Friendship Four. My experience goes far beyond the realm of a college hockey tournament, because although I wasn’t celebrating Thanksgiving with my immediate family, I was sharing the thanksgiving of a lifetime with one huge hockey family in Northern Ireland.
MONDAY
Whether the journey started in Boston, New York, LA, or Calgary, a couple of hours of sleep on an overnight flight across the Atlantic is all we needed to get the party started in Dublin.
Upon arriving at the hotel in Dublin, our experience began with an extensive tour of Dublin City and we got to taste the best Guinness on the planet at the Guinness Storehouse. Some folks enjoyed something a little stronger with a wee taste at Teeling Whiskey Distillery.
We were finally in Ireland and didn’t want to miss a thing!
TUESDAY
Tuesday morning took us south to the countryside of Ireland and the Glendalough Monastic Site in the Wicklow mountains. I had many people ask me my thoughts on aspects of the trip and they often heard my standard answer “this is just unbelievable” because I truly had no words to describe the experience.
We returned to Dublin with plenty of time to explore Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and many pubs in Temple Bar with live music at 3:00 in the afternoon on a Tuesday.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday brought us to the City of Belfast and the Christmas festivities began in Northern Ireland. For us, it wasn’t even Thanksgiving Day yet. It was a definitely a bit of a culture shock that you just needed to embrace.
I remember calling my mother at the Christmas market outside Belfast City Hall and was saying its way too early for Christmas, kind of having that feeling that you get when you start seeing back to school advertisements in April. But, when you learn about the religious dominance in Belfast from your hop on guide, it all makes sense why they are crazy about Christmas. The food was delicious, all sorts of gifts and a warm winter buzz around everyone there.
THURSDAY
Thursday morning brought us the Giants Causeway and almost everyone forgot it was Thanksgiving. Usually my Thanksgiving had me on the couch watching the Buffalo Bills, instead I was at the 2nd most northern point on the island with castle ruins, breathtaking views and stories about Giants.
We returned to Belfast where we all prepared for our Thanksgiving dinners. Some enjoyed time with their school while others were free to check out the fabulous restaurants in the city. I spent it at the Titanic Belfast with live music and even got my turkey dinner.
As a hockey player growing up there was one thing that stood out to me the most, and that was a mother and father reuniting with their son who had been preparing to compete all week. Seeing how proud each parent was of their child’s accomplishments to this point in their hockey careers is a memory I will have forever.
FRIDAY
Good morning, it’s game day! It’s 2:00pm on a Friday and the SSE arena is nearly sold out for the first game of the tournament.
The primary school students dressed in their uniforms filled the stands and as loud as your standard college student section. Parents and alumni wearing their school colors, waving banners and cheering on their schools. The US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin drops the puck and the tournamet begins. Two exciting games enjoyed by people from the USA, the UK, Europe and even Australia.
SATURDAY
It’s now championship Saturday, and what’s better than one game going to overtime but “Two”. What’s better than a championship game going to overtime?? A championship game going to a shootout.
The Saturday slate of games saw a little bit of everything and whole lot of late game drama. The Quinnipiac Bobcats were crowned champions of the 2022 Friendship Four. Totallt thrilling time for all who were in the SSE Arena.
Although those who traveled with Cara Group Travel cheered for different teams, the one thing everyone had in common is they were all part of a much larger hockey family and will take home memories to last a lifetime.
Are You Interested in Bringing Your Group to Ireland?
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