The Beatonite Invasion of ‘09 (Ireland)


On Monday, the eighth of June, 2009, I, along with forty fellow Beatonites and our risible leader, Alex Beaton, set out on a new expedition...the invasion of the Emerald Isle! In the span of twelve days, we traveled the land of Scholars and Kings, of the Wee Folk and the Quiet Man. Our objectives included kissing the Blarney stone, traversing the Ring of Kerry and raising a pint of stout to St. Paddy. To say it was interesting was an understatement!


Our expeditionary force was made up mostly of veterans of former forays into the Land of the Scots. These included compatriots Tom and Melissa Curtin and Mary Cooper Miller from the Beatonite Uprising of ‘03, Charles and Kay McKinnon and Linda Irvin from the Beatonite Incursion of ‘05 and Merv and Pam Forney, and my daughter, Amy, from both the Beatonite Incursion of ‘05 and the Beatonite Venture of ‘08. Though I didn’t know the remaining Beatonites, I knew that they have been battle hardened and I looked forward to serving with them. Also enlisted were rookies Steve and Missy Brandon who, while new to the Beatonite ranks, are veteran campaigners in foreign lands.


I, along with the majority of the force, made landfall in country on Tuesday the ninth and the remainder joined us on Wednesday. Our endeavor then began in earnest.


Wish us luck! Better yet, wish the Irish luck. They’ll need it!


To join the journey, click the link below. For additional photos, look for camerasalong the way.


To Day 1 - Our Arrival in Dublin