Across the Boyne
President Ronnie with 17 members and 6 guests had an excellent joint meeting which was enjoyed by all Tuesday 01 September at the Boyne Interpretative Centre with President Donald Gordon and members of the Dublin Rotary Club.
After travelling South by bus the day started at Drogheda Railway Station where participants from the two clubs joined together and, being very fortunate with the clement weather - a perfect day with beautiful sunshine and a cooling, gentle breeze, 23 Rotarians and guests had a delightful walk along the Boyne Valley footway to the Battle of the Boyne Centre (around 6 kms covered in 1 hr and 20 mins).
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The other 23 Rotarians and guests were given a bus tour of the Boyne Valley area, which included a visit to Navan and was also enjoyed by all present. The walkers arrived at the Oldbridge Estate first, though it was not a race in any way. When all were reunited a 2 course buffet style lunch with tea or coffee was devoured in the Tea Room - empty plates telling their own story!
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Dublin President Donald welcomed Club members and President Ronnie thanked him for his idea which had arisen in a chance conversation between them at a Rotary meeting in Athlone. Hon. Sec. Tony Keegan gave an excellent brief and entertaining description of the alliances and power struggle of the 9 Years War - King Louis 14th versus the rest of Europe with his ambitions for increased power – and how this led, in a European History and Politics context, to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 in the middle of that period.
There followed a guided tour of the exhibition and introduction to the centre from Laura - a "local" (from Williamsburg, Virginia, USA) guide - who highlighted from the front lawn aspects of the battle and the ridges where the Williamites and Jacobites formed. This was followed by audio visual displays and a video re-enactment highlighting key moments of the Battle. It was all very well laid out and appreciated.
A fond farewell was given to the Dubliners and the parties returned to their respective capitals.
An excellent day, well organised by the two Presidents, with the uppermost thought left that we should do it more often!
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