T20 Tour in Dublin & a Walk for Diabetes
A First Visit to Malahide
ICT recently took a small group to Ireland for the T20 series: our first visit to The Village, Malahide Cricket Stadium in Dublin.
Without the temporary stands, the ground resembled a typical village cricket venue in England. Hidden behind one of the stands was a small clubhouse, where a couple of our crafty guests managed to sneak in for a few well-earned pints of Guinness.
The ground reminded me of Sunbury Cricket Club, where I first watched Surrey play in the old Sunday League.
Opening the batting that day was none other than Micky Stewart, who has just celebrated his 93rd birthday!
England vs Ireland: A Competitive Encounter
Ireland are a developing side and still relatively new to international cricket.
I was surprised by the strength of England’s team – very strong indeed, perhaps with one eye on the upcoming World Cup.
Ireland featured a handful of county players in their lineup. England won the toss, chose to field, and restricted Ireland to 154/8. They then chased down the total comfortably, winning by six wickets.
Evenings in Dublin – Guinness, Food & Local Flavour
Evenings on this tour were a bit different from our usual overseas trips, where we typically organise dinners and drinks.
In Dublin, most of the group chose to walk along the canal, explore the castle, or hunt down the best Irish fare on offer, which, of course, goes hand in hand with the black stuff: Guinness.
A local I chatted with in Temple Bar put it simply: “If a restaurant or bar doesn’t sell Guinness, it won’t survive!”
I tried a few local dishes to complement the porter, but the standout for me was the oysters with a heavy splash of Tabasco. Absolutely to die for!
Reuniting with Familiar Faces
The next scheduled match was on Wednesday, and I was pleasantly surprised to bump into several guests who’ve toured with ICT before, all enjoying the Irish setting.
As they found me in the stands, one of our party joked, “You know everyone!”
It made me truly appreciate the community we’ve built.
Rain Stops Play… And Sparks Reflection
Unfortunately, after a long wait, the game was abandoned due to rain – well, it is the Emerald Isle for a reason.
By the time the decision was made, we were already halfway back to the hotel. The wet weather wasn’t exactly a shock, but it does raise the question: why schedule cricket in Ireland in September?
Ireland clearly needs funding to grow as a cricket nation, so we understand the commercial pressures; but something has to change.
Everyone I speak to seems keen to see the back of The Hundred.
Personally, I’d love nothing more than a return to the Sunday League. Imagine packed county grounds every weekend—surely that would help all counties, not just the venues that host The Hundred.
A Guinness Tour Like No Other
On Saturday, we toured the Guinness Brewery. A local Irishman told me it’s home to the most expensive pint in Ireland, and I can see his point. For £38, you only get two pints!
But to be fair, it’s a brewery tour like no other. The science behind brewing Guinness is fascinating, and they probably sell enough tickets to keep going even without selling a single pint.
It must be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
Wrapping Up The Series
The following day was the final day of our tour, and the third T20 in just six fun-filled days. England secured another convincing win to wrap up the series 2–0.
We had a brilliant crowd and, as they say in Dublin, a really good time!
Wellness Walk For Diabetes – A Personal Journey
On a more personal note, last Sunday I took part in a “Wellness Walk for Diabetes.”
It was advertised as a 10-mile walk, but my app clocked it closer to 13!
I chose to do it for a few reasons. Firstly, my brother lives with diabetes, and I know several of our regular tour guests do too. This felt like a meaningful way to help.
Secondly, it was a great way to get my legs moving again ahead of our upcoming tours to New Zealand and Australia for the Ashes.
I walked with nearly 4,000 others, crossing 11 London bridges – from Battersea Park to Tower Bridge. My goal was to raise £150. I hoped to beat that, but I never imagined I’d raise over £1,363.
I’ve been truly astounded by everyone’s generosity. Most of the donations came from friends I’ve made through ICT tours.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
Over the past 10 years, we’ve had more than 1,500 travellers join us, and so many have become genuine friends who stay in touch.
That speaks volumes about the community we’ve created, and I honestly can’t thank you all enough.
It means the world to me. I feel incredibly lucky to have met so many lovely, kind-hearted people on our tours.
Once again, a huge thank you for your support!
See You Soon…
I look forward to seeing many of you soon in New Zealand, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
Best wishes,
Gary
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