As the trip comes to an end everyone has been wondering where all our time went. Looking back and realising we have been her for a month seems unreal. Throughout our trip we have all learned so much. Whether it is about Irish culture in general or how to apply literary theory, we will all walk away with something.
During our trip I met so many new people and made so many great friends. This summer will be one I never forget thanks to the journals and pictures as well as the memories.
I’ll be sad to say goodbye to everyone at the airport but can’t wait to see them all again at the class reunion. I just want to say thanks to everyone for making my summer so fun and memorable. It truly will be one to remember.
--Katie S.
This trip has been an amazing experience! During the month, I met so many new people and made great friends. It is almost over and I know that I will miss everyone. My favourite part of the trip has been visiting Kinsale and getting fish and chips, but I enjoyed everywhere that we went. I hope that everyone can make it to the class reunion, because we are like a big family now. Some people want to go home to see family and friends, but I wish that we could stay here longer and continue our trip around Ireland. Thanks to the teachers and adults that kept us under control, this trip has been incredible and I will never forget it.
The day had finally come to leave Maynooth, after a long 8 nights there I was ready to move on and experience Dublin. The bus was very late so we had to wait nearly an hour for it to arrive. When it finally did it was not a long drive to Trinity College in Dublin. Although I had already seen alot of Dublin, after having used the DART from Maynooth, there was still so much I had to see and experience. Dublin really is a beautiful city and now that we are staying here I am able to appreciate it alot more. The politicians and writers of the past are remebered in statue as well as streets being named after them. For example Daniel O'Conell has a street named after him and a statue on said street. Although the big city air is very similar across the globe certain characteristics make Dublin stand out. Such as the street statues. All in all, I am glad we are able to stay in Dublin because I can now integrate better into the Irish culture.
A little late because of shotty internet but here's a student blog about their trip to Cobh!
Today we went to Cobh, a small waterfront town home to the first recorded female on Ellis Island and the White Witch along with various small, family-run businesses. Many people went in search of this White Witch to be told about their future, but were disappointed to find that she wasn't available! The town was beautiful and most people were talkative about their own travels (including Toronto), and how they would love to move there, while we are all telling them we want to move to Ireland!
That same evening we were all allowed to stay out and listen to live Irish music by a traditional band and dance. We sang along to Whisky in the Jar and Danny Boy and one of our friends even Irish danced for all of us and a crowd (she was amazing). The band was rambunctious and even let someone else sing a couple of songs for us. I've never experienced live music like this and would be more than happy to repeat the experience!!
I miss Toronto, but this is an experience of a lifetime!!
Today I got to experience something that truly is Irish. I had the opportunity to watch a Gaelic Football and Hurling match at the historic Croke Park. The people of Ireland are beyond doubt very passionate about there sports! Especially these games! We were cheering for Dublin; there colours being blue and white, and the whole crowd seemed like a sea of blue and white! It reminded me of being at a Toronto Maple Leafs game! The fans are very supportive and very enthusiastic when cheering! They swear a lot to! All of the fans get really involved in the game! I guess this is the equivalent to Canadians and our hockey!
I liked watching both sports, but Gaelic Football stood out for me. I mean the game takes so much skill and coordination to play. Just dribbling the ball across the field seemed very impressive! I like how the game was very fast paced, so it was enjoyable to watch. I saw a lot of dad’s taking there kids to see the game. This is similar to what happens back home, but instead its baseball or hockey.
One of the other really cool things about seeing the games here is that it all was taking place in Croke Park! The same place where bloody Sunday took place! We saw what happened on bloody Sunday in the movie Michael Collins, and several people mentioned it in there Irish voices presentation. We talked and learned so much about it, and now we are here! We are in the exact place it happened watching a game just as they did in Michael Collins time! It was also interesting to see that some of the original Croke Park was still there in the middle of the new modern version!
Ireland is the most amazing place I have ever been to. The twenty seven days are flying by and i can't believe that we only have eleven more days of this! Not only are we getting a credit out of the way, but i have met some of the most amazing people here. I know that the friends we meet here will last a lifetime, and we will all go home a little different because of it. The scenery takes my breath away every time we explore new areas, the fields look like they are covered in quilts, with different patches of green subdivided by rock walls. The castles are amazing, and we have been able to explore them and get a sense of what they used to be like. The entire country is soaked in history and Irish pride, every new place we come to teaches us a bit more about the culture. Irish hospitality is not just a myth either, each place we stay in welcomes us with open arms and has made us feel more than welcome. I cant wait to see what is coming up, I will miss everyone, and cherish the memories forever. Now that we have a taste of the world I know there will be more travelling in our futures!
Clare M.
Arriving at Maynooth, I did not have many expectations as to what the campus or rooms would look like, for none of the teachers had been here before either, yet I was overwhelmed by stunning architecture, lavish greenery and a historic yet cozy atmosphere. Seeing all of the past priests and graduates on the walls, had a very humbling effect on me. I suddenly realized how rich and important every aspect of the Irish culture truly is. As we explored Dublin after getting our DART passes and had some dinner at a cafe, more of the lessons we have learned about in class came to life. We got to see the actual post office that was under attack during the Easter Rising of 1916, complete with bullet holes. A wave of emotion comes over me as I think about the immense history of Ireland and the fact that many of the students here, myself including, could have had family here during the most difficult of times. Ireland was my first major trip away from home and I do not think I could have chosen a better location. Ireland is our new home away from home and although I look forward to seeing my family and friends, I do not wish to leave this unbelievable country. The pictures we take may help us remember and reflect on good times, but the culture we experience and the bonds we form will make this trip unforgettable.
Today was our first day in Maynooth. The campus is amazing, it is so beautiful. The architecture is phenomenal. I feel like I have gone back in time. We got to do a walking tour of campus and the downtown area. The downtown area is such a little university town. We went grocery shopping and bought food for our eight days here. We only walked for about ten minutes and we were at the end of the town. I think I am going to like it here. It feels comfortable and homy. I am looking forward to getting our dart pass for Dublin. I have heard so much about it. Also my Irish ancestors are from just outside of Dublin in a place called Swords. I am hoping to visit there when I am in Dublin. Also we are going to a Gaelic football game and a Hurling game. I am so excited to go see these games because I love sports and being active. I have never seen any of these sports before, I hadn't even heard of Hurling before I went on this trip. I am looking forward to the last two weeks of our trip. I hoping for sun.
I wrote this piece based on my observations on our trip to the Aran Islands and the class reading of Riders to The Sea.
A Monologue By A Youth From The Aran Islands
The edge
This is where I stand,
Tilting on the question, should I stay?
I look down from this desolate, abandon shrine.
The tears of fishermen's widows from the past pouring down on me.
Gloomy clouds hanging over this lonely, morbid landscape,
Reminding me of the history this here ground knows.
The waves
Crashing against the cliffs below,
Bringing me back to more questions.
I wonder about Synge, Yeats and Gregory,
They have all walked this island gaining inspiration
And have not I?
Hungry for adventure,
Craving crowds of people.
The fog
Keeping my future out of focus.
I must decide.
For the world waits for no one.
I am a blank canvas,
Open to the world.
My pen in hand,
My camera in my mind.
I am ready!
The isolation
I may feel at times,
My life as rocky as this here place I leave.
But I will be fine.
My heart and head have so much more to learn.
Beyond these rows of stone walls,
Beyond the dangers at the edge of this island.
The ocean
Calls for me,
Bullying this boat in which I board.
This is not goodbye,
This is just a part of my journey.
I shall live day by day,
Living each moment I am given.
For this life is no where near over.
Today was an interesting day. A new theory has been discovered. The theory that whenever the urge to shop is in my blood, it rains. Whenever my friends and I go someplace to sightsee or shop, it rains. When we choose to stay in, it doesn't. So, as we went to the lovely town of Cobh today, it obviously rained, poured and then drizzled a little more. Not that I didn't enjoy such rainfall but there was a point where I thought I would become fully saturated from the rain. Thank heaven that some brilliant soul thought to invent the umbrella.
The town of Cobh is a cute, picturesque little town that was the last port Titanic sailed from. I find this quite amusing for some reason because it doesn't seem like a little town like that could house a huge mega-ship like the Titanic. Inside the heritage centre, there was an exhibit and though it was closed, it looked like an interesting place to go and learn a little more about the city.
While shopping for vintage clothes, we walked into this little shop with the nicest shopkeepers that one could possibly hope to find. They were kind enough to tell us a little about the town of Cobh. Apparently the island that rests across the channel from the main town used to house a prison. The shopkeepers called it the "Alcatraz" of Ireland. Intruiging. I myself am interested in the "unescapable" prison. Why? Because some prisoners actually did manage to escape from Alcatraz. Some inmates escaped from the prison on the island too. They swam across the river and managed to elude capture. Wouldn't that be a story to tell the grandchildren?
Tonight, we went to listen to some Irish music that was being played in The Flying Enterprise. I must say right now that the only reason I remember the name of the restaurant is because of Star Trek. Two of my friends would be very pleased with themselves because they've been trying to make Star Trek part of my life ever since they became obsessed with it. Anyways, we listened to music in the restaurant.
I was pleasantly taken aback by the music. I have a few Irish songs on my iPod but to hear it in person and live was a completely different experience. I've noticed something about Irish music. It's either long and sad or short and fast. I've theorized that the long and sad ones are because the Irish are very poetic and need to get everything they feel out, therefore rendering a regular three minute song about two minutes. The musicality of Irish ballads are actually very calming, no matter how tear-jerking they are. The fast songs are short because 1) the musicians get tired of playing their instruments too fast and this is a good thing because 2) the people can't keep dancing to the extreme tempos that are playing.
I really liked the songs that were played. For some of the fast songs, my friends and I jumped up and began to dance. Some of the music was so catching and uplifting that you could barely do anything but dance. Sometimes it was an effort just to stay on the sidelines. Dancing to Irish music is a lot of fun. Because of that, I am inspired to download my Riverdance CD onto my computer. Because the music was on the last night in Cork, I had to pack quickly. I played music most of the time I was packing and I was dancing along with it because I was so inspired to dance after that performance. I really enjoyed it. So that was today, July 15th.
Our group listened to some Irish folk music! It was very interesting and everyone really enjoyed it. It was pretty obvious that the lead singer had had a little too much to drink, but they were still good anyway. I couldn't really understand what they were singing, but the Irish people there seemed to be singing along and enjoying the tunes. This cute lady went up and sang for us and she was so good. I enjoyed the (I know I'm going to spell this wrong) electric ukalaeley. And the lead singers drum thing was ridiculous. And they were actually good at singing! I wanted to buy their CD, but I didn't know where I could buy them. Anyway, good times listening to Afghan and French and Irish folk music. Also, Katie's dancing was insane.
-Connor T.
Today we are leaving Cork, and traveling to Maynooth, where we will be staying for 8 days before we travel to our final destination Dublin. It has been such a great experience so far! We have all become a big family able to go and talk to just about anyone if we feel homesick or if something is bothering us. Over the past few days we have gone on a few trips. After the mid-term exam on Wednesday we went to Kinsale, the seafood capital of the world! It was great to watch the tide come in and the seafood was very good also. Our next trip was to Cobh. On April 11, 1912 Cobn was the final port before the Titanic set out on her journey across the Atlantic. Some people got their hands read by a local while others visited the White Witch! Following Cobh, we went straight to dinner and then found ourselves on the dance floor. A local band was playing Irish music! It was great to watch everyone having such a great time.
-Sam M.
We're leaving Cork today. I really enjoyed the Flying Enterprise restaurant. It was nice having good tasting food rather than the food we had in Galway. We listened to Irish music the night before and it was fantastic. The performers played a few songs that a few of us recognized, like the Beatles. I'm not going to miss Cork as much as I'm missing Galway, but I'm still going to miss it nonetheless. We're heading to Maynooth today and then Dublin after that. I'm not exactly looking forward to the bus ride but I'm looking forward to seeing new places and sights.
-Sean T.
Greatings bloggers
today the class went Cobh for several hours, Cobh is that last port that the titanic stoped at before it sunk. the town itself wasn't really anything specail. it was you average tinny little tourist town consisting of several gift shops (if we havent seen enough), resteraunts, and other small businesses. however, one thing that made cobh specail was the white witch of cobh. The white witch is also know as helen, she is a psycic who tells peoples fortunes. i was lucky enough to be one of the two students who was able to get there fortune told. it was a half hour long process in which she throughly read my palm and read tarrot cards givng me inmformation about my current life, my future, and my past lifes. Apperantly i will be rich and famous and get to retire at age 32 and live in my big mansion with my doctor wife, whose name should start with a J. if helen is accurate i am in for a bright future.
goood day
Jack D
July 11, 2010
Hello everybody,
This is Anne writing a blog about Ireland 2010!! We're taking a grade 12 English course here, and I have fallen in love with this country. It's so green here, and the people are so nice!
We stayed in Galway for 11 days, which is easy to count, having left on the 1st. And today, we left for Cork! Cork is apparently the second biggest city in Ireland. Which is odd, because I thought it was the smallest city we were going to. I don't know where I got that idea.
I should probably actually do this in chronological order. That might make more sense.
So we woke up this morning and went to breakfast. Then we returned to our rooms at which time we all frantically tried to ensure that our rooms were acceptable for the teachers review. Having crammed all of our clothes and other necessities into our suitcases, we rolled and pushed and pulled our luggage to the bus. From there, we had a delightful bus ride to Limerick.
At Limerick, we stopped to have lunch. I would have taken pictures of all of this only, unfortunately, my camera is broke. So I apologize. The majority of us went to McDonald’s or Burger King. Look at that Irish culture. After lunch, we returned to the bus for more exciting bus riding.
As distressing as leaving the bus was for a second time, we all forced ourselves to clamber off. It just so happened that it was worth it. It was a beautiful day outside, and Blarney castle was absolutely stunning. The first thing we all wanted to do at Blarney castle, of course, was to get ice cream. With that vital component of our trip complete, we decided we would go and look at some of the unimportant things available there, such as kissing the Blarney stone. We climbed up millions of stairs to reach the top of the castle. The view was spectacular. We lined up in order to kiss the stone. I am not exactly sure why it is necessary for the one who kisses the stone to be up-side down, but that seems to be the way it goes. According to every person I have asked, kissing the Blarney stone is supposed to grant the kisser eloquence. I think I am ever so much more eloquent now. After this, we wandered around the gardens and found the Blarney house, which we wanted to enter but was sadly closed at the time. We also walked down by the lake, got slightly lost, but found our way back. We were all ecstatic to get back on the bus, of course.
Our ultimate destination was Cork. When we arrived, we said our tearful goodbyes to the bus, grabbed our luggage, and headed off to our new homes. We set ourselves up, went to dinner, had a walking tour, and got back home. And that pretty much brings us to the present.
So with that, I will end my blog, and get myself into bed, for it is very late. Goodnight to all!
