It has come...

Last night was our reception we held for all who have been a part of making this first "Mercyhurst in Ireland" trip be a success; and it went very well. This also means now that our time here is indeed ending, and today is the day to pack our things. last night at the reception, when I was hearing mostly Dr. Hosey, the other professors, and our remarkable friends from Ireland speak, it hit me that words truly, truly could not express the gratitude I was feeling; it honestly overwhelmed me (and I will admit, brought me to the brink of tears). I could have never, with my heart and imagination both working there hardest, I could have never dreamed of a more rewarding ten weeks of my life. Spending my last term of my undergraduate career in Ireland, and making the friends I have, and connecting with other students, creating lasting frienships with professors (and their families for some), seeing what I have seen, meeting my distant family in Ireland and making this incredible country a home away from home has changed my life. I can only imagine what it will be like to be home in a few days (seeing how the oh so surprising volcano has the ability to quickly change our plans) and think back on this trip as a memory. I don't even like mentioning that seeing as I am still here, sitting in my Park Hotel townhouse; but it will be so rich to have the memories I have, and 'rich' is exactly the word I am looking for, this trip is priceless. I am not sad to go; in fact I truly am excited to come back. I'm sure once the actual 'see ya laters' come it might get a little mushy; but truly it is only because I will a 'homesickness' will hit me once I'm on the plane heading to the States. I have family here; real family...but also friends in Dungarvan who I know I will see again. I could go on for hours about how this changed my life or the lessons I've learned or how forever grateful I will be; but this is not meant to sound like a 'good-bye' post. I will write again about Ireland sometime, while on my next journey here...

Tending Bar!!

I can officially check off of my 'list,' that I have bartended in Ireland. In highschool, my friend Kristen and I made, or started I should say, a list of things that we hope to accomplish in our lives. I will never forget sitting in her kitchen writing down that I will bartend at some point in Ireland. Shockingly...and to my surprise, I worked last night at the Anchor. I truly had one of the most entertaining nights yet while there! It must be a combination of making some incredible memories while knowing I was actually accomplishing more on 'my list.' When I first got there I had no clue what I was doing. I felt like I was in the way! Thank goodness it wasn't busy yet! A young girl, she was twenty-eight and from Hungary unforunately was stuck showing me the ropes! By the end of the night we had a blast together though. My favorite part of the night though was before it had gotten busy...I literally had been behind the counter for maybe three minutes when someone walked in and 'Timmy' - Tamara I believe my friends full name was, told me to take the customer with her thick accent (haha), I'm laughing because I was not expected just to be thrown in without knowing anything or even how to use the cash machine! Anyway, he asked for a pint a of Heineken and I was to serve! So I undoubtedly was not a pro when pouring my first pint. It was clear I was a 'newbie!' There were five young gentleman (I guess I could call them), more like Irish lads, sitting right on the other side of the counter from me. They had a blast seeing I had no idea what I was doing. After a few minutes though and few more pints I poured, they sat and told me what to as I poured each pint and within five minutes I had it down like I'd been doing it my whole life! Timmy was laughing thinking they were a bother but I told her they were actually helping! Things started to pick up eventually and I really had a good time. The hardest part was the cash machine, and understanding the Irish accents! Otherwise, there were only a few times where I didn't know the actual drink being ordered. I truly had a blast and they even said I could come in for some more hours if I wanted before I leave Thursday. I had great craic at the Anchor!

The Gold Coast!

I will start with stating that we again, could not have been more fortunate with the weather we had while touring the countryside! We first stopped only to walk through some peaceful pastures to get to an old tomb where there were Ohm stones standing. We have seen them at places like Ardmore too but every one amazes me. Not to mention that we truly were in the heart of the country; that tomb was just in the middle of nowhere it seemed! And to think of all that have walked over those fields and stood on that ground, it again is just mindboggling like so many other things we have gotten to see on this trip. After we visited the tomb Brian, the bus driver stopped where we could walk along the cliffs. There is something about stairing out into the open sea. It is freeing in a way to see for so many miles as we stand in one place. The other thing that is captured in my memory is how the green, how the incredible landscape goes right to the edge of the cliffs, and the beautiful flowers that look like they are specifically planted are scattered across the land. It is truly majestic. The other thing we were fortunate to see were the Mahon Falls. The mountain goats alone were worth the drive up there! Those animals are incredible the way they run up the sides of the mountains! And gosh just the gigantic, breathtaking hills that surround you. The landscape reminds me of parts of California; but I just love how it seems like you are always just minutes away from completely different landscapes and treasures in this country.

Our last class...

Well the end is approaching quite fast and I am sad to report we had our last class Wednesday night. Fortunately though I found it to be one of the most enjoyable classes yet. Joe had requested one of the instructors he works with as well as some of the students to come in and play some of their instruments and show us some traditional dancing; those girls were truly incredible! I know we have experienced some live music in some of the pubs and of course have had our dancing with the older folks on Tuesday, but these girls were incredible! They are so multi-talented! Not to mention, we learn about how it is Irish culture how it would not be abnormal for these dances and whatnot to take place in the home a while back and for what we learned to be the number one form of entertainment; that would have been so much fun! Even the video Joe had showed us, it truly tugged at my heartstrings and really made me love even more the culture of Ireland. Those classes really did provide us with some incredible information; and I must say it made me more and more excited with each class to have so many roots and ties to this country. I really have found my appreciation and take so much pride in being Irish; being a part of these Wednesday night classes and meeting my family, etc...have all truly changed something in me and have really made an impact.

So I'm sitting here going over some of the writings we have covered and I realized I have yet to really discuss our trip to the West! Now I know many others have posted about this trip, and unfortunately I again am unable to put up any photographs, but this truly was one of my favorite locations we have visited as a group. The Burren came up in conversation when I was skyping with my family the other night because where my family goes to vacation Up North every summer off of Michigan, on the north side of the Island we're on there is a very similar landscape. It is famous because there are only a few places on the earth that the limestone and rock cover the ground like it does in the Burren as well. The picture of the Alvar is what is located on Drummond Island.
Driving through the Burren, seeing the cliffs (even with the immense fog), visiting the tomb that is again, mind-boggling, and setting the scene for so many of the pieces of work we study was something special. I know I will be back to visit that country again, especially the Burren! Next time hopefully with some equipment to rock-climb!
Gosh and I can't forget that when visiting my family in Dublin this past weekend they introduced me to the oh so famous Irish television program "Father Ted." These films all take place on the Aran Islands and in the West; unbelievably funny...
I truly consider myself one of the luckiest girls being able to have seen all that we have on this trip...

These are my cousins! They are both sisters, Orla is on the left and Grainne is on the right. They are wonderful. I will have another photo of all of us; their parents Ann and Jim, and Orla's husband Nini and her three boys Aiden, Osheen, and Oscar. The reason they are a part of my blog is because I just visited them again this past weekend and had a lovely time! They know so much about our families history and just the history of Ireland in general. Ann, Orla and Grainne's mother is who told me about my great, great, great grandfather. It is her great, great grandfather I believe (if I have it all correctly) and she told me some very special stories. Martin (whom survived the famine) lived until he was one-hundred and eight years old! Delia, who was seventeen when she came to the states was also living throughout this time period (she and Martin were in the same family). She came over at a very young age and was responsible for sending the money she made back to the family so they could continually move one at a time to the States. A sad story Ann told me of Martin though, that he himself had told and said he wanted this to be passed on and told so we knew what life was like, was: during the time of the famine, as he would look across to his pile of turf to burn, he would witness people as they tried to move up or down the street. Each person practically would lean against his pile due to their weakness and inability to move much. Often times they wouldn't be able to continue, many of them would simple fall and sit against it. There were others who simply sat there until they passed. Martin tried to pick the one's who had some bit of strength in them to keep going up off the pile but it was only if he was able to do it himself. I know this was a very short summary of the story but for the sake of the blog I wanted to simply get the point across. It sounded horrendous. Ann, on the way from the bus station quickly took me near the river where there is a memorial set up for the famine.
Anyway, of course my family and I spent a lot of time just together enjoying each others company but they too are so knowledgeable and very interested in the classes I'm taking and what we've been reading. They took me to James Joyce's tower they have right on the bay and showed me many places that took part in Ulysses. Another thing that was just so interesting was how they took me down to many of the little ports (and the big ones where all of the yacht clubs are!) and old marinas and we discussed how some of the small, old fishing boats around were similar to those that were used years and years ago. I know that it was not the same part of the country, but like we discussed in Synge's play "Riders to the Sea" today I couldn't imagine going out in whatever conditions to fish like they had to do; not to mention do this to survive. The more I get to see and learn the landscape and see more of the country, the more the works we've been reading come alive. It is really a neat thing.

Unbelievable.

I have a direct connection with the famine!

My great, great, great grandfather Martin Diskin was a grown man during the famine. Unbelievable. He lived until he was 108 and has told his stories...

So many connections!

Ok...so a few of us are talking about our assignments and talking about John Synge whom we are currently reading. Gosh do I wish I had a way to put up some of my pictures right now! The reason being, and because we were talking about Synge, we're also talking about our trip out to the West of Ireland; specifically the Aran Islands. I know also that in one of my previous blogs I mentioned how many of the writers we have been studying have also traveled a lot and Synge was indeed one of them. We had mentioned in class that throughout his travels, he met William Butler Yeats while he was in Paris. It was there that he was encouraged to go back and live on the Aran Islands to get a better grasp on his own work. Sure enough we know that John Synge did indeed follow through with this encouragement and we (the students who have been talking about our own trip) feel like we too have experienced a little of what John Synge did himself. The Aran Islands must have been pretty desolate at the time Synge lived there and I absolutely can see how he would have had much time to spend with his creative thoughts. I also found it interesting after looking further into John Synge and his works that for his 'book-length journal' called The Aran Islands it was Jack Yeats who had done some of the illustrations; who I know I mentioned a little bit about him in a previous entry regarding some of my time in Dublin. Everything just seems so interrelated...

Over time...

As I was sitting in the Park lobby eating lunch with friends, a Miss from the front desk came over to ask if any of us were 'Erin Wallenhorst.' I of course made her aware that I am indeed who she asked about and she informed me that someone was on the 'tele' for me at the desk if I'd like to take it...It was Grainne! Grainne (and obviously the rest of her family) is one of my relatives! I couldn't have been more happy to hear from her and certainly found it as a surprise. She rang to see if I'd like to visit one last time before I venture home back to the states and we of course kept on with the conversation. I truly can't wait though seeing as the rest of my relatives whom I have not met will be in Dublin this weekend as well; Grainne's sister Orla and her three kids whose names have momentarily slipped my mind.

Thinking about it now though, I have been intrigued by all of the names of my relatives and even a friend from back home whom I've been thinking of lots since I have been here. This is was I had the urge to blog about...

The other night in class, when Joe was teaching our Irish Culture class, one of the things we talked about and discussed was with regard to mythology and stories, etc...As we talked about this a name came up that I have small connection with: Tadhg. It is pronounced like 'Tiger' just without the 'er' at the end. This struck my interest because my friend from home is named Daragh. I have known him for years and know the majority of his family. His mom is from Ireland and now that I am here, he has offered many times for me to travel a bit and meet his relatives. But the name Tadhg comes into the picture because that is his oldest brother's name. His sister's name is Benvy, and the other brother's name is Jarliff. I remember a few years ago having a conversation about his sibling's names and talking about Ireland and how he always gets to visit; and now I am here, meeting with my own family and learning of my own history. This past week when we had class with Joe I started thinking about all of this sort of stuff and I really felt something when the culture we were learning more about and all of the history and the stories...all of this has been a part of my family's history for years.

J'aime Paris...

I haven't quite had the chance yet to talk about many of the places we have traveled as a group in too much detail; like Dublin too in depth, especially Paris, and now we have added the West of the country to the list! Today though my memories of Paris for whatever reason have really tugged at my heart. Going to Paris has always been a dream for me and going there with an open mind could not have been more rewarding. I have two Uncles who live in Paris. I see them often given that my Uncle Mick tries to visit the States twice a year at least. All my life though I have only heard of how he talks about it and have seen it in the movies; living it was quite something though. And that is just want I want to stress...the living part of Paris. Yes, seeing the Louvre, going to Musee D'orsay, climbing Le Arc de Triomphe, and many other wonderful tourist attractions provided so much entertainment, not to mention memories! I know I had previously mentioned how actually getting to rest my eyes on some of the artwork I have studied before boggled my mind, played with my emotions I could even say! But I have to admit that none of those incredible sights stick out to me as my favorite part about that trip. When I think back on Paris I smile every time I remember how I was able to wander the streets the whole afternoon and evening of the second day there. The moment I was given the 'go ahead' to walk alone, I jumped on the nearest metro line and randomly decided to get off at the St. Germaine stop; that could not have been more of a better location. I came up the underground steps and immediately saw people, some busily and other clearly nonchalantly enjoying their afternoon walk just crowding the streets. There were tents set, boutiques, with jewelry and candies and homemade crafts for sale on my left as I strolled down the street and took it all in. What elated me most though was after the stretch of tents, I entered into the part of town where all of the cafes were door to door and there were little shops lining the streets and the tall trees towered over the sides of the road making the old buildings behind them pop. After walking honestly maybe only ten minutes I sat at one of the closest cafes and ordered a coffee so that I could take it all in; then it truly hit me...this is exactly what every other Parisian was doing! It wasn't that all of these other people lining the streets at the cafe's were tourists and this was the first time they were experiencing the streets of Paris, it was simply that this is what the norm is. People watching. I immediately began falling in love with Paris. As I continued to walk I stumbled across little shops or bookstores I wanted to explore; especially the bookstores in this particular part of town seeing as this is where many writers are known to have come. Actually, now that I have brought that up it reminds me that in class today when discussing Singe, that he too traveled Europe and landed in Paris. It was hear he met Yeats was it, or Joyce? And was told to go back to the West of Ireland. Still, the thought of all of these writers and artists of all kinds traveling Europe, no wonder many of them stopped in Paris for a stay. The thing I looked forward to most every day was when I was able to split from the group and get back on the Metro only to randomly just pick a stop and explore. Monmontre was another incredible place! I went back again after we went as a group to see le Sacre Couer. Truly one of my most cherished memories was walking up to the little square, just completely surrounded with people and little shops and coming to the square where an amazing number of artists all set up their eisels and were at work painting, drawing, etc...It was my favorite day.

The other part of Paris that was truly a special experience for me was seeing my uncles in their own home. Being able to make memories with them in Paris was something I had longed for ever since I was a child. They have one house in Paris and another down in Roussillon in Provence, down in Southern France. Quite lucky, yes? The first night my uncle came to pick me up we hopped on the metro only to walk up to the street and sit at a cafe before our reservation at Le Select, of course we would do that! We sat side by side talking as the world just went on in front of us. He took me to Le Select because he told me back in the day this is where everyone came; the writers, artists, etc...again, this did not surprise me; and I truly felt like a Parisian as I sat beside him. When we finished it was time for dinner and he took me across the street to La Coupole. I think I had wrote a little about these previously, how we ordered fresh oysters and everything; he took me there because both of these locations are very old and are known to be a true experience of the culture. I absolutely loved it. I know I rambled but I am understanding more and more why the writers we have studied (or at least some of them) longed to leave Ireland and see more; there absolutely is a lot to see, to feel, and experience around this continent.

Traveling.

On the way back from Waterford and our last stop at the Kennedy's Homestead, I was thinking about this past weekend and just this whole trip in general. We have certainly seen a lot; from Dublin to the West of Ireland even to London and Paris. It made me think of all that we've been reading but mostly Joyce. I am unfamiliar with much of what we've read thus far in class but now that I am becoming more familiar with this literature and the authors, it made me think (as I began rereading the Dubliners on the bus) about how Joyce never returned back to Ireland once he had left. He longed to travel too...and not only that but reading some of his literature kind of gives you a quick escape into his view on his homeland; "An Encounter" sticks out the most in my head. These readings and our experiences are certainly giving me things to ponder.

Much to tell...

It has been...a long, time. I plan on writing more at my earliest convenience and I must say, I have lots to share. I have wandered the streets of Paris, I have mingled with my relatives, I have visited locations in London and more throughout Ireland that relate to our studies, and though there is much more, I have made some incredible memories I am excited to write about. We (the group of traveling students) have just arrived home from our excursion from County Clare only to begin another filled week of what I can only imagine is full of more exciting experiences. You will hear from me in the very near future...

Food.

I know this is slightly off topic with regard to this relating to our class...but I just have to write about something: food. The food in Ireland has been brilliant. The majority of students discovered a little place called Jitterbeans the first week of being here; this is a Godsend. Fresh coffee on the go, incredible paninis, and oh my goodness their berry scones. In fact, I just purchased a berry scone to indulge in later on in class on my walk home from the library. It just seems all of the food here is so fresh! Even all of the bread we buy at the market; we all had to get used to how quick it all gets moldy! And let me also point out that I am living in a hotel. I am now realizing that I am beginning to know everyone on staff and no longer need a menu anytime I enter the bar for a meal; I am not embarrassed. In fact it excites me because it takes me back to my childhood when my younger brother and I watched "Dunston Checks In." I know this post may be silly...but none the less it is something I simply could not let go unnoticed. Ok and it's not just the food before I end this post...every cup of coffee whether it is 'to go' or sipping it while reading along the Key, it is all delicious. I think I have found what I long to do in life...I want to be a food critic.

Dublin!

Well I must say Dublin was quite a highlight of this trip thus far for me! Just driving across some of Ireland's country was exciting, but being able to visit a city (mind you where one third of Ireland's population lives) and see some incredible sites was truly, truly a treat! We got in around lunch time and we were all quite tired from the early start. Once we got all checked in to the hotel and began walking though I think the energy level of the whole group was ignited! We started in the courtyard of the castle right in town while our wonderful, 'all-knowing' tour guide Mr. Tom Keith discussed our surroundings. We kept on walking and went to the tourist center and again, I felt the energy levels rise as we discussed the upcoming day's events! I wont give you a step by step of every single thing we did...that would turn into a book very quickly! I undoubtedly have some highlights though! Trinity college, oh my goodness, waaasss incredible! I want to go. And the library there that they have preserved; it was breathtaking! All of the bicycles and the wedding that was going on and the HUGE trees were incredible. I could have sat there all day writing in my journal and people watching all of the diverse crowds swarming the campus. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting a tour of Parliament. There is something about the history we talk about on this trip and going to the sites where it all took place that makes everything truly come alive. For example the flag that JFK gave when he visited I believe in 1963 was hanging in the hall. As I type all of this though I am anxiously trying to get to my favorite part of the whole weekend...
I met my relatives!! I met my grandma's cousins; and if I had my own computer I would put up a photo of them but hopefully I will get to that if I borrow someone's computer rather than this library one! I met with Anne Higgins at mass and from there we went off exploring! After I had my own personal tour with her we picked up her daughter, Grainne. I can't even begin to explain the amount of fun I had with them! Anne Killeen Higgins took me all around the city, to Museums; where I am very happy to tell you we saw the Yeats exhibit at the museum! And then she took me to where she and my great Grandfather had grown up; it was such an incredible treat! I did not know I was going to see them until Tom Keith 'made' me with is cellular on Saturday; I am truly grateful! I will also be returning to Dublin to visit them later on before we return stateside and will have much to discover.
Reading Yeats too has been very enjoyable now that we have seen many of the things the young author once saw himself. Oh! And downstairs in Christ Church (which was ABSOLUTELY one of my favorite stops...) there was a poem beside a picture I was reading and sure enough I knew exactly whose it was! Can you guess??
Riding throughout the city on a double-decker bus, going out to fun pubs at night, seeing The Book of Kells, going through some absolutely gorgeous gardens, actually meeting my relatives, pouring a perfect pint! All of these things and so much more truly made this trip something to remember. I can only imagine what is to come!

Cork!

Well! I was feeling adventurous and I decided to jump on a bus and trek to Cork. I absolutely loved it! It was a day of wandering through busy streets full of people from all over. I did a lot of fabulous people watching! It was clear shopping was one of the big attractions in this young, fun city.
Also, now that we have begun reading poetry by Yeats I have found myself reading the poems over and over again. As much as I love reading poetry, I am not familiar with Yeats and I feel the need to look them up and read about each and every one of them! Yesterday morning I took my book of poetry to the lobby of the Park Hotel and ordered coffee for myself. As I sat there I ended up talking with a group of older women who all meet on Tuesday mornings and I absolutely loved their company! As I went back to reading I ended up reading some of the poems that weren't assigned and tried making them come alive as I tried tying them to all of the encounters I have had with residents of Dungarvan. People in this country undoubtedly have a way about them...whether it be their hospitality or their story-telling, that seems incredibly genuine. I get some of that from the poems as well. I hope to have a better grasp on the poetry we're reading as the days pass.
Tonight we also have our class with Tom Keith about the history of Ireland and hopefully will be able to attend a play following class. I imagine I will be writing about this in the very near future as well as some about our trip to Dublin this weekend! I am very excited.
All in all, thus far the people in this country have captured the majority of my interest; I absolutely love meeting new people here and start conversations whenever I can. Traveling to Cork has also ignited my passion to travel even more now. Not making plans just going...I hope there will be much more of these memories to be made!

Swans...

This will not be along post; but I have just finished reading Yeats and absolutely loved the first poem, "The Wild Swans at Coole." After initially reading it I went back to read it again...I understand why he used swans in the poem but knew there was much more. I believe it had to do with time passing clearly as he discusses that nineteen years have passed, but he also stresses how much has changed with him and nothing with the beautiful swans. The reason I really liked this is because upon arriving in Ireland, I have seen more swans than ever before; and they are magnificent. One thing I remember thinking to myself on the bus when I saw them on the water one of the first times was that they were indeed swimming in pairs. Yeats describes this too, as they swim with their loved ones. There really is no special revelation I had I just wanted to note how nice it was to picture this poem as I read it. I am curious though with regard to Yeats describing there only being fifty-nine swans...if they swim in pairs one must have been alone. I know there is a lot more to get out of this writing I just thoroughly enjoyed it having it been my first time reading this poetry!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I am so unbelievably grateful to be able to say I spent this St. Pats day in Dungarvan Ireland! It started with of course...some photographs; but shortly after we went to the beautiful cathedral in town for Mass. Where in fact, I did the second reading! Mass was actually very different for me (and I am sure everyone else), it was all in Irish and the many people who attended mostly responded in only Irish, I loved it. Soon after mass though was the infamous Dungarvan parade. First...I may never be able to say again that I was a part of the St. Patricks Day parade in Ireland, it was something! We all had on our green 'Mercyhurst' shirts and had both American and Irish flags and wore just flattering head-bands with bouncy shamrocks! What was even more surprising is that when we entered the town square they announced our group but then had us up on stage so that we could watch the rest of the parade...it was LONG! I mean it was a great parade but wow, for such a small town I was impressed. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the parade. Not so much because of how amazing and memorable it was, but more so because it really gave me an idea and a look into their culture. The parade presented all age groups, from very, very young athletic teams to all of the areas surrounding community centers with all of the elderly; it was wonderful! And truly, the elderly friends in the parade were the most exciting! The parade also presented all of the local businesses and workers, etc...It just made me see and get a feel for how much they appreciate these things here. After the parade they had a great reception and then we were on our own to discover the festivities...
Being surrounded by this true Irish environment is something special and being able to experience the holiday here was undoubtedly a treat. It certainly is different from home...
I know I will have much more to write about but I had to conclude the day with a quick recap before I rest my head. Saint Patrick is quite loved...

A real tea party!

Hello again from Ireland! It has clearly been a few days since my last blog and goodness what busy days they have been! Not only were the incredible sports of hurling and rugby thrown at us, I also want to brag about a tea party that I was oh so fortunate to attend. Yes...a tea party; and a real one at that! In a real castle and everything! Sunday, March 14th a number of students paid €20 to attend an event at the Castle of Lismore. This has been home to the Dukes of Devonshire since 1753 and we were fortunate enough to enter the gates of the grounds and indulge in delicious tea and biscuits before touring the the property's incredible gardens! Talk about really experiencing the past...I felt like a little kid imagining what life would have been years ago and if I were to be walking the same land; I would have had to be a pretty significant kid to begin with! Regardless, that was quite the experience and being a part of that history was brilliant.

Yesterday, Monday the fifteenth (aka the IDES OF MARCH!) all of the students including most faculty went on a tour of West Waterford. This was an incredible, exhausting day. We visited the town of Ardmore, the oldest Christian settlement in Ireland and saw the round tower and Cathedral along with some other miraculous sites. The cathedral near the round tower was breathtaking in itself; on the west gable of the cathedral is artwork that dates back to something like the 9th century! Standing in that very spot gave me to the chills. Placing my hand on the round tower that was 1,000 years old and learning the history did just the same. After Ardmore we traveled back to Lismore with the whole gang. Because the castle is closed to the public we were not able to return back inside the gates; but seeing it was just as wonderful. Not to mention Lismore has so much I could write about that it would take days! The cathedral, St. Carthage's to be specific that we visited again gave me the opportunity to live in the past and just imagine what it would be like to be in that very place. It was cold. It was large. The altar tomb we learned about with the 12 disciples covering the sides was brilliant. The fact that all of what we saw still stands is something magnificent. We also visited Mount Melleray Abbey in Cappoquin.

Again, there is too much to write and now that a day has passed and I plan to go back through all of my pictures and read about the history again I can only imagine it will all come to life. I truly did feel I got to live in the past.

Seeing as tomorrow is St. Patricks day I know I will be back writing soon. Many more memories are to be made and more history is yet to be lived.

My very first post...

Seeing as this is indeed my very first 'post,' I will apologize ahead of time for any lack of excitement! Let us begin though, shall we? I have spent an entire week in Dungarvan Ireland as of today; and I must say, leaving will be quite difficult if such experiences and memories continue to be made! Upon our arrival to Dublin we were greeted with incredible hospitality and amusement! I could not have felt more welcomed by such a wonderful town. From the civic reception held for us, the banners hanging in the busy streets of the center of town, the numerous friendly smiles of the people of Dungarvan, and who could forget our lil' gathering at the local Merry's bar...a warmer welcome simply could not have been given.
My schedule has been very relaxed given we our missing a professor...I have attended some of the symbology classes being taught and have done the readings from The Dubliners all the while getting to know my new environment! It truly has been wonderful. For our Irish Seminar class we traveled to and toured the Gaeltacht region of Waterford county and watched a documentary on the cadets who were present for JFK's funeral. I loved every second of that trip! Not only was the documentary absolutely fabulous, but seeing the countryside and visiting a local pub together afterward was something for the books! As far as the reading, this is the first time I have really sat and read James Joyce, and I love him! At first being thrown into random stories and immense emotions threw me off a bit; but the more I read and the more I understood his style of writing I have come to have a great appreciation for his stories. It is very easy, now that I have experienced a week in this lovely country to make his characters come alive and understand what is happening. At one point Joyce refers to a 'northern accent' one of his characters has and this immediately stuck with me. Many of the other students and I have discussed the differences in language since we have arrived. The different accents or the usage of words or even the speed!
I know this post is not full of riveting things...but I know that once we visit Lismore this weekend, once we travel through the countryside on Monday, and when we experience the exciting St. Patrick's day and parade I will have much more to write about. Thus far my daily walks in the hills surrounding our hotel and meeting new faces has undoubtedly been my favorite part of this past week. I can only imagine what the next nine weeks have in store...