Galway! (Part 2 of 2)

    Busy, Busy, Busy. With the semester coming to a close I have had paper after paper occupying my time and the time not spent on papers... sleep! (and a little bit of soccer!).  So, in lieu of that my blog posting has simmered down... but I thought I should post after such a hiatus!
    Referring back to my trip to Galway.... so long ago! How I miss the west coast! Anyways, my second day in Galway consisted of a trip through the Burren, one of the largest areas of limestone rock in Western Europe, and the spectacular Cliffs of Moher! Travelling into the Burren, I witnessed another different landscape in two days. (other being Connemara) The limestone rising up everywhere, and with pouring rain making disappearing lakes come up in the fields. After a short stop at Poulnabrone Dolmen, an ancient megalithic tomb from 2500 BC, I made my way to the Cliffs of Moher with the beautiful Clare coastline unfolding before me and a willful sun breaking through a rain sodden day. Walking towards the cliffs edge the beauty of the cliffs were breathtaking. With a strong wind behind me I embarked upon a walk along the massive, emerald covered cliffs, experiencing I feeling I know I will only have in Ireland. Maybe the pure beauty I find in the landscapes combined with a rich sense of simple appreciation for where I am, how I got here, what I left, and whats in the future give me this new feeling. Regardless of what it is, I know as I walked away from the cliffs and the lively gem of Galway City with a feeling of pure content.

 Eyre Square-Galway City

 Galway City Harbour

 Galway City to Salthill

 The Burren-Limestone Landscape

 Cliffs of Moher

 DunGuaire Castle

 Cliffs of Moher

 Poulnabrone Dolmen Megalithic Tomb

Cliffs of Moher

Galway! Part 1 of 2

     Back to posting! After a tumultuous two weeks consisting of one week of tonsillitis and a second week consisting of a trip to Galway and lots of studying, I finally have time to post. (Sort of!) I will be breaking my Galway trip into two parts: 1.Connemara and Kylemore Abbey 2. The Burren, Ciffs of Moher, and Galway City.

     Here in Ireland we are given a study week halfway through our first semester as a way to give students time to prepare for midterms and basically equals America's Thanksgiving Break. Taking the first weekend of the break I booked and planned a trip to Co. Galway on the west coast of Ireland.

     Making my way to Galway via impressive public transportation I arrived on Thursday evening, making residence in Barnacles Hostel on Quay Street (The street where all the pubs are!). Waking up to a foggy morning, unsurprised by this of course, I took a bus to the small town of Letterfrack. On the bus was just me and two old Irish fisherman who told me they had never left Co.Galway in their lives and had no intention of doing so. Arriving in Letterfrack I made my way into Connemara National Park. As it is the off season for Tourists, I was the only one! Walking into the beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara, seemingly isolated from the world, I set off on my hike.

    Climbing up the mountains slippery stone paths consisted of rain, being cloaked in fogged, and a strange encounter with a sheep at almost the summit. Reaching the top I was greeted by a magnificent view of Leterfrack Bay and behind e the sweeping Connemara landscape. Descending the mountain I trotted back into Letterfrack with time to spare. Taking a chance I thought I would walk to Kylmeore Abbey. Close to Letterfrack but not close enough to walk I made it about halfway until I decided to stick out my thumb. To my surprise and elderly lady stopped, picked me up, and brought me all the way to Kylemore, even offering to wait to take me back! Telling her it was no need I made my way to the abbey and into its expansive walled Victorian garden. Greeted by more pouring rain, I never had a closer friend than my rain coat at this time. Walking back from Kylemore and into Letterfrack I boarded the bus and returned to Galway an extremely soaked, hungry, yet fulfilled individual.

Galyway City Center, Eyre Square

Connemara National Park, Letterfrack Co.Galway

Rugged Connemara

 

My Climbing Buddy

Kylemore Abbey

 

 Kylemore Abbey Lough

 

Connemara

 

 

 

A Day in Bray

    Getting off to an early start (6 a.m!) I made my way to the Irish rail once again, making a beeline to the small, seaside town of Bray in Co. Wicklow. Disembarking the Irish Rail after an hour and a half trip, I was greeted by a cool crisp sea air, ridding me of all my morning grogginess. A foreboding Irish fog hung over the town as I strolled through alleyways to the beach. Ahead of me, at the other end of the shoreline, cloaked in the fog was Bray Head, a 241m headland forming a  portion of the Wicklow mountains as well as being my destination. Deciding to make my way to the top, I started off along the cliff walk leading to Greystones. About halfway to Greystones, and unable to find the route up, I turned around...realizing I had past it from the start.
    Unconventionally ascending to the top of Bray Head, due to me missing the path, I bore witness to one of the most beautiful expansive views of my life. Stretching all around me for miles (well, kilometers...) was a gorgeous coastline and the shadowy rims of the Wicklow Mountains. Deciding not to call it quits and descend I progressed off the beaten path along the tops of the mountains, interconnected by their highest points. After about two hours of hiking I was now in a place of my own. Civilization was nowhere to be seen and the countryside and ocean was all mine. Making camp for lunch on one of the peaks, the peace around me was indescribable. The sides of the cliffs around me were cloaked in blankets of both green and orange-turning ferns, rippling with the wind creating a wave effect matching the waves crashing below. With the ocean like a blanket before me and the mountains sheltering me from the world, it was a truly beautiful place.
   Losing track of time, I eventually had to turn around and descend. Saying goodbye to the mountains and boarding the Dart, a quick stop in Dublin led me to bear witness to a huge protest march against the austerity measures in Ireland with some very creative ways of expressing dissatisfaction present. Leaving Dublin and heading home to Maynooth absolutely famished I cooked myself dinner, did some work and now am reminiscing on a much needed relaxing and beautiful day.

Bray Beach and possible future location of my flatmates and I's polar bear plunge

A portion of the Wicklow Mountains

The Bray Coastline

The Bray-Greystones Cliff Walk

 

The Fiscal Austerity Hearse

Austerity Kills.

On to week 3!

    Its currently 9:13 in the morning as I write this but I felt it needed to be done and my flatmate is taking his own sweet time getting ready for the gym. This past week has included class, football (soccer) tryouts, more classwork, and a day in Dublin. Class proceeded on a normal basis, and tryouts were held on Wednesday. After four days of waiting I came home to a text saying I made the team. Going into the weekend with high spirits I got all my work done and then on Sunday had myself a nice solitary day in Dublin...
    My day started with a beautiful Irish morning, the light just breaking over the trees, the water in the harbor glistening beautifully, and me feeling absolutely grand. After a 45 minute train ride on the Irish rail, through some very gorgeous and understated countryside, I arrived at Tara Street station. Making my way to my first stop, St.Patricks Cathedral, I passed the Christ Church Cathedral, and attended the Choral Eucharist. The choir was absolutely marvelous in such a magnificent cathedral. Backtracking, I went to Dublin Castle, had myself my first Cornish pastie in temple bar, and then hit the museums around Merrion Square. The National Museum and National Gallery of Art, two spectacular museums, managed to occupy my time for quite while, not realizing it was almost seven by the time I left! As I made my back to Tara Street Station along the Liffey River, it made me really realize I was truly happy to be here. Taking my tired feet home I managed the walk home then fell into a heap on my bed...and slept! Now I am fully rested, my roommate is ready, and surprisingly... happy today is Monday! I have my GAA tryouts today (Gaelic Football, a combination between Rugby, Soccer, and Basketball) and class. Off I go now, onto another spectacular day in Ireland.

A Beautiful Maynooth Morning

Dublin Castle

Temple Bar

O'Connell St. Lower

Christ Church Cathedral

 

The River Liffey, cutting through the heart of Dublin

St.Patricks Cathedral

 

 

Maynooth Week 1

   My first full week at Maynooth has come and gone. Moving in, orientation, getting the feel of the town, and a couple nights out are all under my belt. Orientation was a standard one lasting only two days. The rest of the week was filled with opening a bank account and other logistics of being in another country. The evenings were more hanging out as we all have no work yet!
   The couple of nights in Maynooth were filled with times in the roost pub catching a game or two, enjoying the student union pub, encountering donkeys in the middle of the road at 12 at night, and enjoying my new friends company. My first pint of Guinness while here was had as well. Theres not much to say but the school is beautiful. The campus is gorgeous. A new library, an astonishing church, a ruined castle on campus, an orchard, a cemetery, a closed tunnel made out of trees. This year will be good one.

Dun Laoghaire Day 2 into 3

   My first true irish night has come and gone...and running into the morning. It being approximately 3:44 am here I'm faring better than my Irish compatriots, solely on time difference alone. Feeling adjusted but not quite there yet. Tonight was quite a good one. After a lazy day, the evening arrived and so did the company I would be spending the evening with. Accompanying a boy and girl (Jamie and Gillian), we took the Dart (the train) into Dublin to see The Staves in concert at the pepper canister church, a tiny architectural wonder of a building with beautiful acoustics. After getting lost on the way there, the concert was amazing and only the start of my Irish musication. Getting lost on our way home we managed to find the station and cam back to the house where we spent a fare amount of time watching the uk versions of many American tv shows. (Mainly so they could prove to me their tv is better. I had to agree!)
   Keeping this short, I learned plenty today in terms of music and television. The evening was grand and all in all it was an amazing night.

P.S. Check out The Staves, Kodaline, Lucy Rose, The 1975, Laura Marling, Alt-J, The BlackKeys. All great music from acoustic to alternative to indie.

The Beautiful "The Staves" Trio singing a portion of their song: Facing West at the church! Have a Listen. (Wasn't able to embed!)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201086990389643&l=6512278039269157031

The Venue; Pepper Cannister Church in Dublin

Dun Laoghaire. Day 1.

   Alas I have arrived. My first day in Ireland became my assimilation day into my new leisurely Irish lifestyle. (Which will last all of four days. Thank you school.) After arriving in Dublin as the sun was just breaking over the harbor I made my way to Dun Laoghaire to stay with the lovely family hosting me for my temporary hiatus before the start of university. As they all rushed off to work I was left alone to explore my new home...
   Out the door I went to a warm Irish day. (needless to say it was a little misty) Making my way down the hill towards the ocean I struggled to believe I was here. Strolling along the ocean it couldn't have been more beautiful. The sun slowly stretching its way acosss the ocean, illuminating the rocky shoreline and in time the town behind me. At that point I knew I would love it here,but not without certain whims in leaving. As the town awoke it was time to get some logisitics of my arrival sorted out. A new cell phone, bank information, and a couple of necessary items and I was all set.
   Now, as I write this I have been up for approximately 28 hours With a third cup of tea and a red bull already consumed Im struggling to stay awake. It will, however, be done. I do have a home-cooked Iris meal of cabbage and beef to look forward this evening as well as possibly another promenade along the ocean. My day has been a success and Maynooth is on the horizon.

P.S. Look right then left when crossing the road. I learned quick.

 

First Post!

    Looking out my window it's a dreary day. The drip drap of rain is slowing and I see green. Green grass, green trees, green plants. Your typical Irish day yes? Well, its actually a New England day. Sitting in my armchair, a soccer game on the tele, I'm making my first post.
    In about two months I will be making my way from my home in Massachuestts to the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, Ireland. Pursuing a degree in Business and Management while having the experience of a lifetime. I'll be recording everything, from my university life to my free time. Letting all of you know exactly what its like to leave the comfort of your home and inhabit a foreign country for four years. Cheers! (that may be British...not Irish...) Wish me Luck!