In the summer of 2008, the Oregon Chorale toured Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The best party of the trip was the banquet at Bunratty Castle, with dining, drinking, and singing together.

A singing tour is so different from just being tourists: we participated in local events, met wonderful people, and of course, got to sing “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond”… at Loch Lomond in Scotland.

Oregon Chorale 2008 Tour Program

Personally, I also enjoyed the opportunity to extend the trip and spend a little time working with the folks at Intel Ireland, then do a smaller tour afterward. On that tour we experienced the amazing Skellig Michael – well before it became a Star Wars icon in 2014.

Skellig Michael is a former monastery, built over a thousand years ago. Visiting it was an adventure, starting with the boat trip out to the island. We learned later that if the seas had been any heavier, they would have had to cancel the trip.

Then there was the hike up to the top. Literally one slip and you’d be in the ocean.

…and the peak of the island, where the monks lived.

Amazing and unforgettable.