Trip to Ireland
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Once again the luggage proved to be a problem during the trip from the airport to the motel, but the creativity of bus driver Eoin - a colorful local with quite an Irish accent - was up to the challenge, as the emergency exit compartments provided just the extra space needed. Sophomore Louis Cavadini and assistant coach Matt Tallman helped unpack the bags when the team reached the Travelodge in Castleknock, on the north side of Dublin.
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After a six-hour overnight flight, the Irish - including (from left) junior Bryan Guarnier and freshmen Graham Parker and Rob Seery - witnessed the sunrise on Thursday at the Dublin airport.
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Notre Dame's 47-member travel party first convened on Wednesday afternoon at the Rolfs Aquatic Center to bus to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. It soon became apparent that the Irish, with all of their training equipment and clothing for the 12-day venture, would have difficulty with an overabundance of luggage. The hurdle was initially dealt with by stacking excess bags in the aisle of the bus.
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The travelers got their first taste of the local cuisine at the Little Chef restaurant in Castleknock, which featured a "Full Irish Breakfast" of bacon (actually ham), sausage, egg, tomato, and pudding on special. Among those that enjoyed the meal were (clockwise from left) diving coach Caiming Xie, senior Meghan Perry-Eaton, and freshmen Tara Hyer and Chris Kane.
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The Irish got in the money at the Ulster Bank in downtown Dublin, exchanging dollars for euros at a rate of €1.00 per $1.33. Freshmen Steven Crowe, Rob Seery, senior Frank Krakowski, and freshman Mike Maggio show off their new currency.
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Bus driver Eoin gave the Irish a quick tour of downtown Dublin, which is built around the river Liffey.
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A glimpse of home in downtown Dublin was the United States embassy to Ireland.
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The Irish took part in their first training session at the National Aquatic Center in Dublin on Thursday. More photos of this magnificent facility will follow in future photo galleries.
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Athletic trainer Sal Vallejo, sport administrator Mike Danch, and senior manager Jenny Scherer wear stylish blue footies to keep the National Aquatic Center deck pristine.
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Notre Dame's divers took the opportunity to meet with some young Irish divers before beginning their workout.
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The Irish divers took advantage of the National Aquatic Center's incredible diving well, which features four springboards and four different heights of platforms.
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Assistant coach (left) and head coach Tim Welsh at the team's first practice in Dublin.
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Sophomore Scott Coyle does a handstand on the five-meter platform.
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After a practice that capped off a long day, the lost children meeting point was busy: (from left) sophomore Alan Carter, junior Tim Randolph, sophomores Nick Fanslau, David Hochstetler, and Tim Kegelman, freshman Eric Swenson, and senior Frank Krakowski.
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