A very special event hosted by Passage Hurling Club took place last Thursday evening July 30th in the area. Twenty two members of Milwaukee Hurling Club USA who were in Waterford for the World GAA Games were guests of Passage Hurling Club for a few hours.
The visitors were met at their apartments in the city by Passage President John Hearne, Chairperson Michael Murphy and PRO Fintan Walsh and put on aboard a Suirway bus. The visitors were welcomed aboard by Michael Murphy and then were guided on a trip around the Passage club's catchment area by the PRO. It took in a visit to Faithlegg and Cheekpoint, then back over into Gaultier and Dunmore East where they went up to the Dunmore Golf Club and got a panoramic view of the harbour and coastlines of Waterford and Wexford and a lovely view of Dunmore East. village, It was then up through Killea, down Ballyglan and through Woodstown on past Geneva Barracks, the up to Passage Hurling Club Grounds and on into Passage.
It was then an over and back trip by all across to Ballyhack courtesy of Passage East Car Ferry. Over then to the Community Centre in Passage where they were greeted by a great crowd young and old alike including three representatives from Croke Park from the World games organising committee Tracey, Aine and Kayleen. In the Centre and outside they were provided with lots of refreshments by the Ladies Catering committee. Music was provided by Peter Hanlon and his friend John and we had a lovely display of Irish dancing from three local youngsters brother and sister Senan and Saoirse Flanagan and Rena Corcoran.
The Passage PRO then read a short poem he composed for the occasion for the visitors and a presentation of a beautiful Waterford Crystal Tray engraved for the occasion on behalf of Passage Hurling Club was presented by John Hearne Club President to the Milwaukee Club which was received on their behalf by their Captain Mike Stuht who thanked the Passage Club for the great reception.
Michael Murphy again spoke words of welcome on behalf of Passage and good wishes to the guests. A group from the Milwaukee team the gave a rousing rendition of "Roll out the Barrell" and to finish off a memorable evening the band at first played the American National Anthem which the visitors sang loudly and finally Amhran na Bhfiann echoed loudly around Passage. The Passage Club wishes to thank the local Development Association, Surway Bus Company and their driver Alan Doherty, Clem Jacob Hire and Passage East Car Ferry and all club members involved in the great occasion in many ways.