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