NEW ZEALAND
This 'once in a lifetime' down under trip was the result of an invitation from the Rotary Clubs of Warkworth, Orewa, Whangarei, Kaikohe, Maungaturoto and East Coast Bays for the group to visit New Zealand in 2001. The trip was co-ordinated by Alan Boniface. Proceeds from performances in New Zealand went to various Rotary charities.
Leaving on August 16th we spent two days travelling before eventually landing at Auckland, the Queen City of New Zealand and the country's largest metropolis. From there it was straight on to Warkworth, a quieter farming township some 70 kilometres north of Auckland. There, the group was treated to a Maori challenge and welcome in Mahurangi college, to which we responded by giving a brief introduction to the song, music and dance of Ireland. Following this, the group had the opportunity to rub noses (literally!) with Maori people as we were introduced to the typical Maori method of greeting friends.
The following day, Sunday, the group performed its first evening concert, a sell-out, in Warkworth town hall, enthralling spectators with the best of Irish music, song, dance and storytelling. On Monday after a day of sightseeing on the idyllic Kawau Island it was on to Orewa for a special dinner hosted by the Rotary Club and another sell out concert in Orewa college. The 'session' that night was in Muldoon's Irish bar. The group said goodbye to Warkworth on Tuesday and set off for Whangerei. With 40,000 inhabitants, Whangarei is the biggest town in the North. Upon arrival Ceoltóirí Kilkenny were once more given a Maori challenge and welcome, this one more fearsome than the first. Later that night it was off to 'The Jovial Judge' for a session, where the group was surprised and delighted to meet some local traditional musicians.
The following day the performers were taken on a sightseeing tour. Then it was time to entertain a captivated audience at a concert in Whangerei Boys High School which was again followed by a session in the Jovial Judge where it was great to get an opportunity to meet more of the locals. Thursday proved to be a hectic day for the group as it travelled on to Kaikohe. There the group was once more given a Maori welcome and performance of the famous 'Haka'. Two concerts followed, the first for the enthusiastic students of Northland College, the second for the general public. Another concert was held for the primary students the next morning before the group departed for its Friday night concert at Maungaturoto.
That weekend it was off to East Coast Bays in Auckland. Saturday night the group thrilled the audience at the impressive Rangitoto College Auditorium. A 35 minute cruise on Sunday took us to Waiheke, a beautiful, unspoilt island off the coast of Downtown Auckland, renowned for its olive groves and vineyards. That night it was off to The Muddy Farmer for a session.
The South Island leg of the tour comenced on Monday. After flying into Christchurch, the group had some spare time to explore this 'Garden City', visiting its Cathedral Square and many local sights. The concert that night was arranged by Leona Fay, whom the group had met in Kilkenny and who had offered any assistance she could while we were in Christchurch. Many members of the local Irish Club were present among them emigrants from Kilkenny, Carlow, Galway and Armagh. The group was then invited back to Kelly's pub 'The Bohemian', for an after concert session. On Tuesday Ceoltóirí Kilkenny embarked on the world famous Tranz-Alpine train journey to their destination at Greymouth on the beautiful West Coast. After a day of sightseeing it was time for another sell-out concert at Kokatahi. The penultimate day of the tour was spent viewing the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier in Westland, and then it was back to Gary and Gloria McGill's for a farewell supper and session.
On Thursday we set out for the long journey from Kokatahi to Carlow and Kilkenny. A 44 hour journey brought to an end this momentous trip that will never be forgotten by Ceoltóirí Kilkenny and, they hope, their Kiwi hosts and audiences. George Wyman, in expressing his thanks said of the group
