Aran Islands and Dublin

     While studying in Ireland my classmates and I get to take some field trips around Ireland. The past two weeks I was able to see the Aran Island and Dublin the capital city of Ireland. First I'll talk a little bit about the Aran Islands.

Monastery

The Aran Island consists of three islands, we unfortunately only got to visit one it is named Inishmore the largest of the three. Inishmore is only nine miles long so it isn't a very big island. It was also very cold on the Aran Island, we were suppose to take a bike tour, but had to take a bus tour instead. On the tour we got to see what used to be a big monastery, but there was not much left of it. Around the monastery was also a very old cemetery. The other huge attraction we got the pleasure of seeing was an old fort called Dun Aengus, which is at the edge of a 330 foot cliff. Even being near the cliff was such a rush. At this fort I laid on the ground, and peered over the edge how the ocean beat against this cliff. It sounded like thunder every time a wave hit the cliff and felt like it got louder with each crashing wave. It was honestly breath taking to see not only the fort, but the natural cliffs.

Cliffs near Dun Aengus

        After being on the Aran Islands, we went back to our cottages for a day before heading off on our next adventure in the capital city of Dublin. While in Dublin I so many things that I could write about it for days, but the one thing that really stuck with me the most of visiting Kilmainham Gaol musuem. Kilmainham Gaol was an old Irish prison, it was a different type of prison than anyone had encountered before. It was about separation and silence. All prisons before had just put everyone into one room and didn't really care about reforming anyone. This prison was suppose to be better with single occupancy rooms. 

Seeing the room through an eye hole

Executed after the Easter Risings

While in Operation Kilmainham housed many people, but it also housed a lot of Irish revolutionaries over its span of 128 years. Most notably the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. After surrendering during the Easter Rising, many were bought here and executed shortly there after. After each person was executed they were taken and thrown into a giant pit to rot. This is seen as a major downfall for England's rule of Ireland, because it outraged the common people. While being in this place for the short amount of time I was I could honestly feel the history.

One last thing during the Tuesday and Wednesday Jessica and I walked almost 25 complete miles. Until next time guys!

Cork and life

Our room at the hostel

This past weekend I was able to travel to southern Ireland to a place called Cork or Corcaigh as it is in Gaelic. A small group of (Myself, Jessica, Alexa, and Regan) took a three hour bus ride, which wasn't bad but I wouldn't want to be on a bus much longer than that. In Cork we reserved a four bed private room at a hostel called Kinlay House. When we arrived in Cork we honestly had no idea where it was. After wondering around for about 20 minutes we finally asked a local, and he sent us off in the right direction. The right direction was about a 15 minute hike to the top of hill.

Jameson

That night we in search of food and a fun time. We ate at a place called Rocking Joe's Dinner, then we headed for a pub. We looked through a travelers guide for the best pubs and decided on a place called Bru's Bar. When arriving we found some of our classmates who also went to Cork and had a few drinks with them. That's where I discovered a found a drink that I can never stray away from Jameson Irish whiskey with ginger ale and lime.
We then headed off to find some live music and we soon found out at the next two pubs were almost double what they were at the Bru Bar. So we called it a night.

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral

Main Aisle

The following day our group decided to do some exploring of the city centre, saw a cathedral off in the distance and headed that way. It was Saint Fin Barre's cathedral which was part of the Church of Ireland. Being right next to the cathedral was absolutely break taking. We walked to grounds around the church and saw headstones from the 1700's. Just being on the outside and seeing how much detail the people who built it put into it was amazing. The pictures I post of this church don't do it the slightest justice.

Entrance to the Cathedral 

Valentine's Day Coffee

Ocean view 

      The one last thing and I'm out of here. Sunday was Valentine's day and I was lucky enough to be able to spend it with my wife. We went out for coffee in Spiddal just the two of us. And on the walk back we stopped and took in the ocean.

Catholic Ireland

When most people think of Ireland,  they think of a Catholic red head who drinks a lot. As it turns out not all people from Ireland have red hair.... Which was kind of a disappointment for me. I have also met a lot people at the pubs who like to drink. However, the one that stood out to me the most was how many people here say they're Catholic. I have not met a person here yet that does not consider themselves Catholic.

This is very interesting, because I'm not used to people being so outspoken about their religion. After speaking to some locals about it I found out that most people consider themselves Catholic, but most do not attend church. Then in our Irish Culture class I found out how big of a role the Catholic church played in their government. The Catholic church actually had a special position for many years, until the Irish people voted it out in 1972. Our Irish Culture professor spoke about the Catholic religion, and one thing that came up was the Catholic scandals of child abuse that have been uncovered. And you could see all over her face that talking about these scandals affected her deeply. Our professor also said that its an interesting time for the Irish people, because they are deeply questioning the Catholic church. The people of Ireland felt so deeply offended that the priest who they held at such a high standard could do that to kids. Our professor said this is why so many people are still Catholic, but do not attend church. And that more than ever people are shying away from religion. It was interesting to hear about all this and discuss it. One last thing before I sign off. Today is Ash Wednesday, so if you're giving anything up for Lent I would like to hear it!

Beginning of the Adventure.

I left home for Ireland on Saturday January, 30th. It just happened to be my 24th birthday and I spent around nine and half hours on a plane. Now I'm not complaining or anything, because after that plane ride I ended up in IRELAND! I was very excited on the way, but to be completely honest I was also scared on the flight over here. I have traveled to Europe before, but was always staying with friends who knew the area. Here in Spiddal it's up to me and my classmates to figure it out.

When we finally arrived in Shannon, Ireland on Sunday we had to take bus ride about an hour to get to Spiddal which is where I'll be for next three months. The cottages are very nice and have everything that a person would need, but the best part of where we are is the ocean is literally a five minute walk from my front door. Coming from Nebraska it just seems almost unreal to me. We will be attending classes Monday thru Thursday 10-2. So far the classes seem interesting enough, but my favorite will be Irish History. Also, on Monday our class walked into Spiddal (which is about a two mile walk) to do a walking tour of the town. After the tour some of us stopped in a Pub where I had a pint (or four). After being there for awhile we got to know the bartender who told us a lot about Spiddal and taught us some Irish that you won't learn in class. 

On Tuesday we went to the nearest city which is Galway. The city is very old and they have a church that is still in use today that's over 500 years old. We got a medieval tour around the city which was very interesting. After Jessica and I went got some pizza at restaurant and just walked around the city. After just a few days in Ireland I'm loving it. I will update this blog as least once a week, so be sure to check it out!