NUI Maynooth and My Time in Ireland: November 2013

     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.