Hector: Sure I am only a young one, don't be cross with me. Its just I love all these wonderful people and I just want to let them know how much I care. I'll try real hard not to get so excited in future. Okay....!
I thought we were popping over for a couple of hours to see a few schools in the finals do a presentation, then receive the appropriate awards and that we would be heading home by lunch time. So, in my wisdom I brought Hector along with me, seeing as I thought it would only be for a couple of hours. When I got there and much to my surprise, there were coach loads of transition year students arriving, approximately 3,500 students. Wow, I thought, we are in for a long day!!!
The Taoiseach, Norma Smurfit, Joan Burton, Sister Stan all spoke to the students and there was music from Mary Black and the Republic of loose!!! The noise was incredulous at times, so, myself and Hector moved in and out of the conference centre according to the noise levels.
We met so many people who knew all about him and were thrilled to meet him in person. We actually met a student from Cork who had been a volunteer with her school in the kennels in Cork and she had played with him when he was 6 and 7 weeks old. She could not believe how much he had grown.
My daughter's group unfortunately did not win a prize but they had had a most amazing day, it was an experience to be among so many young and inspiring people.
Hector: It was a great day, loads of people to meet and say hi to. Also a great opportunity to check out goodies the kids dropped. Michele did try to stop me but sometimes I was just to fast for her!!
Hector: You know I love water and it was very tempting to be so close to the water and not get my toes wet!!!