Trips Travels

There are several things that you think of when you think of Ireland, those being the rain, beautiful countryside, the blarney stone, and alcohol. I experienced all of these in one day on the drive from Kilkenney to Dungarvan. We drove through the countryside until we got to Blarney, which is where I debated if I needed the gift of gab or not. I had that decision made for me (by me) as I climbed up the castle steps without realizing where I was going. I decided while I was up there to kiss the stone and make that memory, giving myself the gift of gab, although Im sure I already had it on a good day. While at the castle grounds I also saw the poison gardens and the blarney house. Both were also wonderful and I had a great time. After we spent some time there, we continued our journey home and stopped in Middleton, which is a smaller town just outside of Cork to see the distillery there. This distillery is home to the biggest whiskey names in Ireland, most noteably Jameson. We explor...

Recently, on a bus tour from Killarney, I experienced the ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is a long looped road around one of the many jutted edges of the West coast of Ireland. It is a longer road, although we took a shorter route due to wanting more time to explore Killarney. On the bus ride, we stopped at a mesmerizing blend of dramatic landscapes, coastal vistas, quaint villages, and ancient landmarks that highlighted the beauty of this island nation. When going through this scenic drive I realized that I am not always connected with the people around me and am moreso connected with the environment, thats why I was connected with the W.B Yeats poem An Irish Airman foresees his Death in which it is described as being loyal to country and its scenery vs people who can change. In all, the Ring of Kerry is more than just a scenic drive; it’s a journey through the heart and soul of Ireland. With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and welcoming communities, it offers an authen...

Today we went to Dingle to explore and see the peninsula. Dr Reed told us of the magic of this place, and didn't disappoint. We hiked a cliff, picked up a lamb, and relaxed on a beach. We started our day by going to a lamb farm which had beehuts. These were ancient buildings built of rock that people lived in, which also had sheep farms around it. We were able to go inside a barn to pet and feed sheep, there Dr. Snyder picked one up and let other people hold it too. This was cool, then we went on to a giant hill where we were able to climb and see the ocean as well as the Skellig islands. All of this nature reminded me of the poem by W.B Yeats titled The Stolen Child in which it describes nature and how beautiful it is. Letting humanity go back to it. As a adult growing up in an increasingly digital and industrialized world, I see the connection with nature decreasing and our respect for it going away. We are almost stealing the children from nature. In all, my time in Dingle wa...

Yesterday I travelled to the cliffs of Moher, which to get to we had to travel through the Burren national Park. The Burren is a barren, rocky landscape that looks extraterrestrial in nature. Going from a place where it looked as though plants could not grow, to the cliffs was an interesting journey. It really opened my eyes to the possibility of nature and how beautiful it can be in all forms. One poem by William B. Yeats that captures what I am trying to express is The Realists HOPE that you may understand! What can books of men that wive In a dragon-guarded land, paintings of the dolphin-drawn Sea-nymphs in their pearly wagons Do, but awake a hope to live That had gone With the dragons? The way I take this poem in, is that it explains what mankind makes in stories is based on nature. It also awakens hope for more of what we want and instead of trying to stay away from these, we turn them into truths.

When we visited the Rock of Cashel, which is also known as St. Patrick's rock, I explored for a good amount of time. Realizing how amazing it looks and how grand the church actually was. Walking through the cemetary there was a good reminder of how precious stories and life are, because it showed just how much it meant to the community. It also explained the story of the rock and the church atop it, and why they both were there. It reminded me of Yeats' poem A Coat I made my song a coat Covered with embroideries Out of old mythologies From heel to throat; But the fools caught it, Wore it in the world’s eyes As though they’d wrought it. Song, let them take it For there’s more enterprise In walking naked. which I interpret as not letting people tell you how to see things and experiencing them for yourself. Which is also what I have learned from this trip, to not let others tell you how to experience something. Yet, I started looking for four leaf clovers while I was a...

This morning I had gone to the Bakery for some breakfast, since we had no bread left in our townhouse. The bakeries name is "Dun Artisan Bakery", and they sell fresh made good every morning. Although they are unique in that they only stay open until they sell out. When I went in around 8:30 in the morning, they were almost sold out so I tried a Morning Bun which is a combination croissant and cinnamon roll. It occured to me that this might be the last time I am going to this bakery for awhile since the other classroom is farther away from the town center. At the new classroom there is a McDonalds across the way that would be easier to go to than the Dun Artisan Bakery, however I would not be supporting local businesses that way and would feel bad about it. This reminds me of the poem we read for class today by William B Yeats titled The Coming of Wisdom which is THOUGH leaves are many, the root is one; Through all the lying days of my youth I swayed my leaves and flowers ...

Yesterday I had eaten dinner at a Chinese restaurant. The place was called "Noark Asian Cuisine" and it was above a place called Eurogiant. It was a place I had passed several times on my way to class but hadn't taken any thought because it was on the second floor so all I saw from the ground floor was the entrance door. The door was a normal door so I hadn't considered it until I got invited to go. Walking in, it looked like a nice place to eat, with decorations and what you would think would be in a Chinese restaurant. Then I realized the prices were different from when we were walking in and it felt very superficial. I took inspriation from Willim B. Yates' poem The Realists . HOPE that you may understand! What can books of men that wive In a dragon-guarded land, paintings of the dolphin-drawn Sea-nymphs in their pearly wagons Do, but awake a hope to live That had gone With the dragons? I realized that I had a superficial and overgrown view of what I thought...

Yesterday was St Patrick's day, a day commemorated for years by food, drinks, and excitement. As a student of Mercyhurst in Dungarvan, I had the honor of marching in the annual Dungarvan St. Patricks Day parade. Everyone had played a part and I myself had carried the American flag for our group. As the day went on I went to the pubs to see if anyone was celebrating, and realized that everyone has actually celebrated the night before. The night before Saint Patrick's day there was live music in the square, and fireworks to round out the night. It was that night after the fireworks that everyone was out partying and drinking at the bars. Which goes along with a quick poem I read in class aptly titled A Drinking Song by William B. Yates. The poem goes Wine comes in at the mouth And love comes in at the eye; That’s all we shall know for truth Before we grow old and die. I lift the glass to my mouth, I look at you, and I sigh. I think this poem embodies the spirit of St Patric...

Minnies pub where trivia was held   From the classroom to the pub, Ireland is a very unique and interesting country is what I have learned. For one of my classes titled literary Ireland, I read  The Crock of Gold  by James Stephens and I had noticed that the Irish culture is very much a mix of other cultures. Nowhere is this more apparent than in everyday life. A local said it best, there is a story of an old woman who was asked if she believed in fairies, to which she replied "God knows I don't, but they are still there". This unique perspective is what makes Ireland such a literary gem as it has lots of different cultures baked in. Last night I did pub trivia, and realized I knew more of it than I thought, which had me wondering if these things were more universal than I thought, or was Irish music becoming Americanized.  I have conversed with locals and I still find it hard to tell because of the nature of Irish emigration and their history of belonging to other c...