A group of Spanish students recently visited Abbeyleix where they received a very Laois welcome, getting to take part in set dancing and and hurling.
“We had a great time in Abbeyleix,” said organiser Noreen Dunne, a Laois woman who now lives in Gran Canaria.
She said they were made feel very welcome by the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel and their staff. Paula Maher Hennessey in the Abbeyleix Heritage Centre also helped them organise a set-dance lesson in the centre with John Sinnott.
“The Abbeyleix GAA represented by Robbie Quinn very kindly helped us by giving the students a hurling lesson and information on the game. The students had a chance to practice for a while and then watched an under 17s match afterwards. They loved the experience and wanted to take hurls back with them,” she said.
While here, the students did a variety of activities in Abbeyleix to help them practise their English.
“I must say that the locals were very helpful and answered their questions. They were probably very surprised to see all the Spanish students running around the town and talking to the locals,” Ms Dunne said.
The students were transported around the country by Ger Conroy and his bus service.
Ms Dunne enthused about his service – “Very smooth running and very obliging. We visited Galway, Bunratty, Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, Dublin and Rock of Dunamaise along with many more places”.
“I’m personally going back to Gran Canaria with a fantastic feeling because this is our third visit and hopefully it won’t be our last… Thank you Abbeyleix. It was great,” Ms Dunne said.
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