Supply Chain Manager Joseph Freker celebrated his 10-year Arthrex anniversary in Ireland; a familiar destination for him.
Back in 2019, Joseph and his wife were in the Emerald Isle to spread her mother’s ashes. Touring was not their priority, but a brief introduction to the beautiful landscape and a new acquaintance in their chauffeur, a Cork resident named Francis, inspired Joseph to return for a true vacation.
Fast-forward to 2023, the couple was ready to rediscover the island. This time, they were joined by Joseph’s good friend and coworker, Global Supply Chain Manager Tim Grieser, and his wife.
They lingered in London for two days, exploring Parliament, Big Ben and places within walking distance from their hotel. But the real vacation began with the flight to Ireland.
Once they landed in Cork, the group were met by Francis, who once again served as the appointed chauffeur for the trip.
Giving up control of the wheel allowed them to simply enjoy the journey.
“It was nice to avoid the stress of public transportation,” Joseph recalled, “and she doubled as our tour guide for the entire trip.”
They did all the tourist destinations: The Guinness Factory tour in Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and visiting the various castle ruins dotting the hillsides. But the real enjoyment came from the in-between destinations; the small, local pubs, shops and towns along the way.
“It’s all the little towns you skip over because you don’t know what you’d experience in them,” Joseph remarked. “We stopped to visit [Francis’s] friend on his farm and got to hold lambs. I didn’t expect to be doing that.”
Francis took them on every scenic route possible and stopped in many small towns for meals. Each place offered something new, and the driver’s connections created more possibilities.
Joseph and Tim, weekly golf partners, were surprised when Francis got them a reservation at Lahinch Golf Club, a links course outside of Ennis known for its beautiful backdrop, rolling greens and rich natural architecture. This was a chance of a lifetime for them, and they enjoyed every moment of the experience.
“We didn’t think we’d get to play since the club was always booked,” Joseph said, “but Francis had some connections and got us some time. It was really exciting.”
The more well-known destinations like Dublin, Cork, Galway and Dingle had their own charms as well.
Galway offered them a collection of unique and colorful shops during the day, and live music poured from pub doorways at night. In Dingle, the group dined at the seafood-only restaurant Out of the Blue, which can be found in the Michelin Guide. Joseph ordered the black sole, and described it as one of the most delicious meals he’d ever had.
Having visited many small towns and cities, Jospeh appreciated the chance to see Ireland from the eyes of a local, something many tourists miss out on by focusing only on popular destinations.
“I would like to thank Arthrex for this wonderful opportunity,” Joseph said, “It was a trip that I will truly never forget!”
For every five years of employment with Arthrex, employees are eligible for a company-paid Trip of a Lifetime to recognize their dedication. Look for more Trip of a Lifetime highlights on the Arthrex Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.