Ireland 15 March: Dublin
After arriving in Dublin last night, we started out very early this morning as we had a truly action packed day ahead of us!
Our runners are all waves and smiles as we enter our first school, St Killian's German School in Clonskeagh.
The children are waiting at the reception to give us a deafening reception!
Once we arrive...we explain a little about ourselves, and how our relay run works through teamwork - one runner starts to get a little tired, time for someone else to take over...
The children have prepared some lovely performances of their own...
Unfortunately, it appears our torch has set off the fire alarm... (Note: this doesn't happen all the time - honest!!!!)
So the whole school dutifully troops out for the roll call...
...but the students don't seem to mind too much!
The crew from the news2day programme have come out to cover our visit; here they are capturing some of the kids' reactions.
Now its time for the kids to run with the torch!
Holding the torch and making a wish for world harmony...
A certificate expressing our gratitude for the school for being such fantastic hosts!
Our next school visit was to Our Lady's National Boys & Girls Schools in Ballinteer.
An opportunity to hold the torch...
...followed by a run around the yard.
Natalia from the World Harmony Run presents the certificate to the principals of the boys' and girls' schools.
Then it was time to head back into the city centre!
We met up with Pam from Blazing Salads, who kindly supplied us with very tasty lunches to keep the runners going, as they have also done in previous years - thanks guys!
We arrived at the Mansion House to meet with Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Maria Parodi.
We stopped by Joy Fountain, which is managed by Mangala Keenan, one of our Irish Harmony Run organisers...
Here Mangala is holding the torch with Sarah - who is working for the day while Mangala is out running :)
Im not sure that's the way you're supposed to play the Tibetan bowls...
Time to visit our third school - Ladyswell National School in Mulhuddart.
We had an extremely enthusiastic reception!
Lots of fantastic artwork on display...
...and plenty of smiling faces!
The principal, Dr Daithí Ó Murchú, gives a very eloquent introduction to the Run.
A minute of silence for the children to feel harmony inside their hearts...
..and chance to pass the torch amongst the children!
Nirbhasa from the World Harmony Run team holds the torch with Bernadette Whelan, who helped us immensely in organising this school visit. Thank you so much!!!
A nice photo with the principal, Mr Ó Murchú, who is an accomplished international ultrarunner himself. He was complimenting us all on how fit and lean we looked!
This looks like a bit like a scene from Star Wars...
Back into town again, where we are meeting up at the Peace Gardens beside St Patrick's Cathedral. Leslie Moore from the Dublin City Council Parks Department has very kindly agreed to meet us and explain a little about the Gardens.
If there's one thing our Bulgarian runner likes, its flowers!
A nice photo beside the Peace Gardens plaque.
Now...time for a little bit of fun! Viking Splash Tours have very kindly have offered team a chance to go on one of the tours. (We haven't told any of the runners what's involved - we let them find out for themselves!)
Once the team put their Viking hats on, their demeanour instantly changes...
Rui makes a very good Viking.
Sailing along the river Liffey, looking for something nice to plunder...
The perfect boat for the 21st century Viking that likes his creature comforts. Why leave the boat and run screaming ashore, when you can just drive. We might even convert our Harmony Run vans so we don't have to take the ferry to Ireland :)
Ahhh, nothing as nice as seeing a bunch of happy Vikings...
Afterwords we met up in the Lotus Yoga studios for a very nice meal, with dishes provided courtesy of Cornucopia restauraunt, which has also been a wonderful friend to the World Harmony Run for many years. We really appreciate the support of the local community wherever we go - it makes us feel incredibly welcomed and at home.
Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages
- Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!
- Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min
Distance: 7 km
Team Members:
Apaguha Vesely (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Andre Carvalho Ribeiro (Portugal), Sumahat Strohn (Germany), Mladen Vujaklija (Croatia), Petar Mihaylov (Bulgaria), Rui Paulino (Portugal), Vladimir Ilyasov (Russian Federation), Laszlo Szente (Hungary), Barbara Tabackova (Slovakia), Abhejali Bernardova (Czech Republic), Charumati Pernicka (Czech Republic), Sadanand Magee (Ireland), Mangala Keenan (Ireland), Nirbhasa Magee (Ireland), Natalia Romanova (Ireland)
Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.
Gallery: See more images!
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Planerad rutt för World Harmony Run 2012 |