March Madness

I'm not really referring to the basketball, as I don't believe I'll be catching much, if any, of it. However, it's March and it's madness that I've already been in Ireland for 6 weeks! It's also mad windy here all the time. I'm sort of shocked it hasn't knocked me over yet, and it makes the thought of emerging from the still-aired comfort of my apartment a bit daunting.

I realize I haven't posted anything in a month, so I will have to update! Things have been going very well! In the last month I've had a good share of traveling. I did a day hike in Carlingford, a quaint town on the east coast, about 1.5 hour drive north of Dublin, and just below Northern Ireland. It would be considered a "hill-climb," and it was intense! About 2 hours going straight up first, very rocky with thick tuffs of grass and very boggy land. The way back down was also surprisingly wet and challenging. However, the sheep studding the mountainside and views of the Irish sea in three directions from the top was breathtaking. Here are some pictures from the hike:


With my friend, Jenna, at the beginning.


The group (which was made up of primarily International students, as most Irish students are home on the weekends) on the way up!


The group (and sheep) nearly at the top!

The next exciting thing to happen in February was probably seeing a very fun and talented band, Kila, perform on campus. They play traditional Irish instruments, but the music has a bit of an african and jam band influence. The performance space was packed with enthusiastic students. Here's a peak:

The uilleann (pronounced "ill-en") pipes and wooden flute.


And the Bodhran player.

The most recent highlight of the month was a weekend trip to Northern Ireland, organized for the American students in the program. We spent a day going from the town of Derry (which is similar to Belfast regarding it's history with CatholicProtestant/NationalistLoyalist issues), then spent the afternoon along the northern coast - walking through the ruins of the ocean-side Dunluce Castle and walking along the spectacular Giant's Causeway (which I've been told rivals the Cliffs of Moher in splendor and beauty. I have yet to see the Cliffs!). We also had a free day in Belfast, during which I saw some of Queen's University and Botanical Gardens, and the poorer, Loyalist streets of the city and their murals:

Mural in Derry


Dunluce Castle


Looking over Giant's Causeway.

As for March, I'm looking forward to my parents, Ann, Dan, and Dan's girlfriend, Sarah's visit! They are arriving this Saturday, March 10th! They will be in Maynooth for a night (that's about all one needs to see this town!), taking a trip into Dublin and a day trip along the east coast, then they will be heading west, where I'm hoping to join them toward the end of the week!