Building Bridges

This year, one of our assignments for our class was to be involved within the community of Spiddal in order to build bridges and truly make connections with the community. At times, this was difficult because our cottages were located 2.2 km from Spiddal and it is a very small town with an approximate population of 1,445 people so there is not a lot of activity going on particularly in the months that we stayed there. Even so, we tried everything that we could to put ourselves out there.

Michael and I talked to the Community Development Leader, Aiden, located in Spiddal by Tigh Giblin's three different times looking for opportunities to be involved in the community. At first he thought he might be able to arrange something for us to help out with a country-wide competition amongst towns in Ireland called Tidy Towns. This competition is to see which towns are the cleanest, and most well-maintained, so projects for this could include painting, lawn-care, planting flowers, and otherwise picking up trash and "tidying the town." Unfortunately, projects for Tidy Towns did not really start until after we completed the program, and Aiden was also concerned about our safety and their liability even if we could do anything to help, so we were unable to participate.

We discussed other possibilities such as volunteering with the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) at matches since there is a field located between Park Lodge and Spiddal. Again, we were there too early to be able to help with very many matches. Aiden told us that he spoke with people involved in the GAA concerning volunteer projects, but they did not have any work or suggestions. He also explained to us that there were extensive background checks that would take upwards of eight weeks to complete in order to work with kids in any way in Ireland.

Although we were unable to find a service project that would qualify for assignment, we talked to quite a few different people, and we talked to Aiden several times. Through our conversations, Aiden learned quite a bit about us and the Study Abroad program that we were on. I believe that we also laid groundwork for future trips, since we made Aiden aware of our program and the service assignment, and were able to build a bridge from our program to the community of Spiddal in that way. Although we did not successfully complete a project, Michael and I were successful in "building bridges" between us and the community of Spiddal, which ultimately was what the project was about.

Dingle Field Trip

This last weekend, my classmates and I all went on our final field trip to the Dingle Peninsula in southwestern Ireland, which just happens to be the westernmost part of Europe. Knowing it was our last field trip we were a little sad, but still excited to make the most of it.

Hannah and Michael on a stone bench in front of an awesome tree

Our first stop was to (William Butler) Yeats' Tower and Coole Park where we met our Irish Literature professor for a class. He was able to show us around and explain the site as well as read us Yeats' poetry. The tower was where Yeats had lived at one point and Coole Park was where Lady Gregory (a good friend of Yeats) lived and had many friends who were important in the world of Literature.

Dr. O'Brian reading Poetry at Coole Park

The next place we went to was the Cliffs of Moher. This was one of my favorite places that we have visited. The weather was great and the views were absolutely stunning. Also, for the Harry Potter fans out there, a scene from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was filmed there.

You can see the little specks that are people on these massive cliffs

We spent a couple of days in Dingle and were able to tour the coast. The weather was really nice for a change, which we appreciated since we were outdoors a lot. Before we went back to the cottages, we stopped at Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle was absolutely amazing. The castle itself was pretty cool, but nothing too different from the many other castles we have visited on this trip, but the grounds and gardens around the castle were stunning. We had 2 1/2 hours there and I still was not able to see everything. First Michael and I walked through a magical little forest trail, which was gorgeous and so forested it was like we were somewhere else, and not on the grounds of the castle with a bunch of tourists. Here we were greeted with forestry native to Ireland, and some that was transplanted there. We also saw a pretty little waterfall. It was very peaceful and serene and I definitely could have spent more time there.

We did make it up to the castle, and kissed the Blarney stone, which is said to gift whoever kisses it with the skill of eloquence. To kiss this stone, you have to hold onto metal bars while laying on your back, and someone working there holds onto you.

Me kissing the Blarney Stone

We were also able to see the Poison Garden, which is an interesting collection of plants that are poisonous. Some of the plants are said to be so dangerous that they are forced to be put behind a cages. There were many other gardens that we really did not have time for, but if anyone reading this blog decides to go to Ireland, I would definitely recommend Blarney Castle because it is so beautiful.

Climbing Croagh Patrick and Westport

Last weekend we had a field trip to a beautiful small town about an hour and a half north west from where we are staying; Westport. When I looked up Westport and things to do, it was obvious that it was an outdoorsy, adventurous place to go. For example, the main attractions are climbing Croagh Patrick (a mountain), biking or walking the Greenway, or doing various other walking/hiking trails. So as long as the weather was nice (fingers crossed) I knew it was going to be a good time...and even if it did rain (it always does) I figured it would still be fun.

On our journey to Westport we stopped at a few different scenic locations for pictures and a break from the bus. One such place was Croagh Patrick. Croagh Patrick is a famous mountain in Ireland, because it is named after the Patron Saint, St. Patrick, who is said to have fasted on this mountain for 40 days, and is now a huge pilgrimage for people in Ireland. About half of our group (9 of us) made it all the way up to the top, and although I was the last one of us 9, I still made it. Luckily the weather was pretty good, and we were only hit with a few spots of rain. Although my legs were sore for quite a few days afterward, I was proud of myself for making it.

See that mountain? Climbed it. 

Michael and I looking pretty worn out at the top of Croagh Patrick.

After climbing Croagh Patrick, we went to our hostel and then found food to eat (we were all starving after climbing a mountain!) and enjoyed some of the nightlife in Westport. The next day, a group of us decided to walk the scenic route of the Greenway on our way to the Westport House (as much as I wanted to bike that day, my legs were not having it). It was a beautiful, scenic route and I could definitely see why the Greenway was such a popular attraction. The grounds on the Westport House were gorgeous, and I was definitely grateful for the journey. Although my legs were super sore, they felt better after walking. After this journey, we were planning on visiting some of the cute little shops in Westport (and buying the "I climbed Croagh Patrick" t-shirt we saw in the window of one) but because it was Sunday, everything was closed. Despite that disappointment, I thought Westport was a beautiful town (it has won awards for being so clean) and I am happy I can now say that I have climbed a mountain.

Just throwin' up our Lopes on the beautiful grounds of the Westport House.

Oh look! Michael found Humpty Dumpty at the Westport House.