A visit to Connemara by children and their parents from the Holy Cross School in north Belfast went ahead yesterday despite a fire at the hotel which is hosting the trip.
Galway fire brigade was called to the fire, which broke out in the chimney of the Quiet Man Cottage beside Peacocke's Hotel in Maam Cross on Saturday night. Much of the cottage's thatch was destroyed, but no one was injured in the incident, which occurred during the annual Bogman's Ball function.
Mr Basil Keogh, the hotel's proprietor, praised the actions of his staff during the incident. He invited the Holy Cross school children and Fr Aidan Troy several weeks ago and said he was delighted they were coming. They will be taken to Galway ci ty, the Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey during the three day-visit.