Chemistry go to Glencree
Like everyone else out there in business-land, the recession left us feeling as though Mike Tyson had given our ribs and mid-section a good pummelling. Now, without wanting to tempt fate, it does seem as though the worst may be over. But that might just be the warmer temperatures, brighter evenings and the cheery chorus of daffodils waving madly as you cycle into work. Who knows? Yet we live in hope that the Gods of Advertising (those notoriously fickle and vindictive deities) have been appeased for the time being at least. So seeing as our last group activity was a bout of alcoholic angst at Christmas, we thought it time to put our heads tentatively above the parapet and headed off to the marvellously titled ‘Centre for Peace and Reconciliation’ in Glencree. Interestingly, and you can read more on the website, the centre was used to house German orphans during the war and the Church opposite has many German military personnel buried there, including downed Luftwaffe pilots and sailors whose bodies had washed up on Irish beaches. They even have the grave of a spy who committed suicide rather than be captured alive. Having ruminated on this timely reminder that there are far more important things going on in the world than ads, we got on with the reason for our visit – a team training/building session (not like this, honest), from which we gleaned some important insights that we hope to implement in the business. Then we tucked into a hearty meal before, typically, imbibing far more booze than was really necessary. The next day some of us climbed one of the nearby mountains – an energetic alternative to the pharmaceutical hangover cure. There were no punch-ups and no-one ended up crying on the stairs whilst having to be consoled by colleagues. So we judged it a success. And we’d recommend the location if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get away, whether professionally or personally – if only to sample the glorious fry-up after a breath of invigorating mountain air. Here are a few photos.
Richie, Nicole, Adrian and Peter arrive.
Keith in front of the Centre.
The view
The ethos.
The mountain.
