Write a commentThe Brain Injury Foundation held their annual respite trip recently when the largest ever group of brain injury survivors and carers, sixty in total, travelled to Kilkenny to spend five days together.
Frank Dolaghan, Chair of the Foundation, commented on the amazing trip “This is the sixth annual respite trip BIF has organised and each year we say we could never beat last year’s experience but this year we are certain we could never surpass our trip to Kilkenny. We had sheer luxury in our hotel and the group gelled together so well. Looking forward already to next year.”
Patricia Cadogan, a carer who made the trip, gave her reaction “We are just back from another brilliant 5 days respite with the Brain Injury Foundation (BIF). We spent these wonderful days in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny, a fabulous 5 star venue. The hotel is probably one of the finest in the country. The entire stay was most certainly 5 star. The people I was with are, without doubt, the best you will ever get to know.
"Some have some very difficult challenges in their lives and struggle every day and yet are the most decent and wonderful people I know. Others are wonderful caring people who also face major difficulties daily in caring for their loved ones and are also people I am proud to call friends. And, of course, the volunteers who help and support BIF just because they want to. It is these people who made the holiday so memorable. We laughed, laughed and laughed more. I got to chat to and get to know some of our new members in the most beautiful surroundings. We had a full list of places to go, things to do and people to see and yet had lots of time to chill and relax. We never go hungry on a BIF outing and this trip was no different. The food in the hotel was WOW. We had amazing breakfasts, the best BBQ I have ever had on Monday night, beautiful dinners in Langan’s and Lannigan’s restaurants on Tuesday and Wednesday, back to Lyrath Estate for Thursday's dinner and the last supper on the way home to Newry was at the Carrickdale Hotel."
The group stopped off at Newbridge Silverware en route to Kilkenny, had a wonderful experience on the road train around Kilkenny's beautiful narrow streets, visited the lovely Kilkenny Castle, Smithwick’s Brewery and museum on their trip.
Some of the more physically active members were shown how the great game of hurling is played by some Kilkenny Cats. Others attended an exhibition snooker match in the hotel with Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Allen and Tony Knowles.
There were shopping trips to Kilkenny City, Carlow and Kildare Village, Japanese Gardens and the National Stud on the way home.
The luxury 60 seater coach was supplied by Eamonn Rooney International Coach Hire and our driver was Dan who has been our driver many times before.
Patricia also thanked all at the BIF for their support.
Many other members were full of praise about their break. Julie Wilson, a brain injury survivor from Loughgall, said “Thank you all in BIF for making our holiday so wonderful; the food, hotel, transport and all that was planned was amazing. Thanks also for all the hard work from the committee, volunteers and members that goes behind such an awesome trip. It was wonderful spending the time with such inspirational friends. Brilliant.”
