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.