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After conspiring with the Mercyhurst contingency in Ireland, I booked tickets to Dublin with faith that I would be able to meet up with their group in the terminal. Luckily for me, it was easy to find them upon arrival and thus began my five day reprieve in Ireland.
From the Dublin Airport I was transported via coach to the lovely costal town of Dungarvan in Waterford county. Having the afternoon to settle in, I was taken around town by my fabulous tourguide, Rachel. In the evening we ate a traditional Irish meal in Merry's Pub before proceeding to Downey's where I had my first true Irish Guinness. Greeted by a bright and sunny day, uncharacteristic for the time of year, perfect cycling conditions took us around the countryside of Dungarvan and Abbyside where we saw cliffs and beaches overlooking the Celtic Sea. The next day, following morning mass and a brunch made very peaceful by the makeshift sugarbowl zen garden in the center of our table, we caught a bus to Cork, a city southwest of Dungarvan. Despite pouring rain we managed to both explore and shop around the city. In our adventures we found the Cork Opera House, St. Finarre's Cathedral, and the remains of the Cork Red Abbey, a 13th century Augustinian abbey. After a soggy day we were able to dry up with some warm coffees in a small pub- one of the only places open late on a Sunday.
Monday was marked by an exclusive tour of Lismore and Ardmore areas around Waterford County. The day began with a full Irish breakfast and fortified for our travels, Rachel and I met our guide Tom Keith and made our first stop at Dungarvan's city hall where I received an official welcome to the town by its mayor. While there were strong winds, rain held off for the day and we were able to see the grotto and Cistercian monastery on Mount Melleray, Lismore Castle, St. Carthges Church, the walled city of Youghal (pronounced ya'll), and St. Mary's Collegiate Church and Graveyard, which houses the font at which Jonathan Swift was baptised. Additionally, we were taken to sites connected to St. Declan, the patron saint of Munster, such as the Round Tower, Ardmore Cathedral, and the Oratory, where St. Declan is most likely burried. The last stop of the day was St. Declan's Well, a quiet location for reflection and healing. The location and its church remains from Ireland's early Christian period have been used throughout the years as place of prayer and many religious groups have organised candle lit vigil processions, marking the ruins with the sign of the cross as a symbol of devotion.
The next morning we hitched a ride up to Waterford City where we toured the House of Waterford Crystal (see a video of some glass blowing!) and Reginald's tower, a location indicitive of Waterford's viking laden history. After a delicious lunch at La Blaa, a local cafe where we received free caramel squares, we went to our respective buses- Rachel back to Dungarvan and myself on to Dublin. After approximately a three hour ride to Dublin City, I checked into my bed and breakfast and got out into the city to do some sightseeing. I passed the spire and the GPO, then crossed the Ha'Penny bridge catch a glimpse of Dublin Castle. I even had a chance to pilgrim to the International House of Mercy, the founding location of the Sisters of Mercy. From there I found dinner and a bar stool in O'Donohues Pub where a group of local musicians meet every night to play traditional music. Musicians outfitted with guitars, whistles, bohdran, and fiddle began to slowly filter in and After recording a tune or two (another video to check out), I was prompted by my neighbor at the bar to ask the group if I could have a go at the fiddle. No more than ten minutes later the musicains were raising their glasses to the fiddler from the U.S.A.
My last day in Ireland was spent exploring Dublin's cultural sights. I began by walking to St. Patrick's Cathedral and continued to venture into all the museums I could find! My final stop for the day was Trinity College Library to see the Book of Kells. While photography in the exhibition was prohibited, I was able to take photos of the Long Room of the library. This was not only a beautiful hall, but a point of contention for the Star Wars industry as the Jedi Archives from Star Wars Episode II look uncannily similar. Despite accusations, designers claim that the Long Room had no influence over the set.
After a long day of treking around the city and an unforgettable trip to Ireland, it was regrettfully time for my return flight. I hope to return to Ireland someday, but until then...
Leaving you to enjoy a tune by Makem and Clancy- The Rambles of Spring:
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