We could hardly believe it when we met at 8:00 a.m. outside Saint Mary’s Church in Carrigallen for our ninth and final Saturday excursion in Ireland. The weeks have flown by, and this special day was filled with excitement and a touch of nostalgia. Our destination? Emerald Park – a theme park near Dublin known for its thrilling rides and cheerful atmosphere.
As we arrived, the first thing that caught our attention was the towering wooden roller coaster – the largest of its kind in Europe. For many of the girls, just seeing it sparked a wave of excitement. We quickly made our way into the park, and thanks to our early start, we were able to enjoy some of the most popular rides before the queues began to form.
The sun was shining brightly, making it the perfect day to explore the park. We spent the morning hopping from one ride to another, and after getting soaked on the Viking Splash ride, we took a break to eat and recharge. In the afternoon, we headed to a newer part of the park, home to two recently built roller coasters. We soared on flying chairs, browsed through some souvenir shops, and continued trying out different attractions.
Later, we explored the final section of the park – designed for younger visitors but filled with peaceful green areas, winding paths, a circus tent, and even a small zoo. We enjoyed a refreshing ice cream, rode the carousel, and relaxed while deciding which ride would be our last.
Tired but happy, we returned to the bus, and the journey back flew by as we shared stories, laughed, and remembered our favorite moments from the day – and from the past nine weeks.
This final excursion was not just a fun day out, but also a perfect way to close this unforgettable Irish adventure. We’ve made memories, grown together, and formed friendships that will last far beyond these nine weeks.
Until next time, Ireland – thank you for everything!
