The school’s second trip abroad in two years was a resounding success as 48 students and six teachers took in the sights, sounds and sun of the Spanish capital Madrid in September.
Departing Dublin in the early hours of a Saturday morning, students hit the cultural trail immediately upon landing in Madrid with a visit to the main Spanish national art museum, the Museo del Prado. The culture vultures got a close up view of an array of works by Franciso de Goya, Raphael and many others, including Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s astonishingly detailed The Triumph of Death. From there students enjoyed a spot of lunch before taking in a walking tour of the historic old town. The early start and baking sun took their toll, however, and, by the end, most were only fit for bed, teachers included.
Refreshed and revitalised, students took to the thrills and spills of their Sunday excursion at Parque Warner like ducks to water. Leaving their cultural hats back at the hotel, there was only one thing on their minds – rollercoasters. After a hectic day filled with screams, laughs and a few tears (courtesy of Mr. Keenaghan and Mr. Murphy) they threw themselves into the evening’s arctic activity – ice-skating. Some were more nimble than others on the ice and the KCS group bid farewell to the rink with several walking wounded in their ranks.
Exhausted from the previous day’s all-action itinerary, students were back on the cultural trail the following day with a stop off at the Las Ventas Bullring in the heart of Madrid. While not to everyone’s taste, students got a riveting insight into one of the most controversial aspects of Spanish culture. From there, students travelled to the Reina Sofia Museum housing works by 20th Century greats Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. Eager to get a panoramic view of Madrid, the group took the El Teleferico cable car to Caso de Campo park before striking it out at bowling that evening.
The first stop on the final day of the 2015 tour was the home ground of Real Mardid, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for a guided. Doing his best Cristiano Ronaldo impression, Mr. Keenaghan (kitted out in the home jersey) was hoping to be mistaken for the Portuguese superstar. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. But even he had to admit it was a fantastic way to round off an enjoyable and educational four days.
