Saturday, July 21, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Out with Waterford, in with Dublin
Wednesday July 11th 2007
After a morning of classes which covered such topics as the European Union and Ireland’s economic policy, Irish poet Seamus Heaney among others and their works, the continuing role of influential Irish in America and conversational Irish the rest of the afternoon was dedicated to the GAA workshop. The Gaelic Athletic Association is an organization founded in Ireland in the late 1800s as a means to support nationhood and promote Irish sports. Four members of the GAA led the workshop coaching and training students on the rules and tactics of Gaelic Football and Hurling. The afternoon was dry thankfully, “it was sweet, we learned from the truly experienced people,” said Ryan Raines. The talent was out in force and some of our own were even considered to be contenders! Student Michael Blatti boasted, “I was nearly recruited; they wanted me to sign up! I’m glad we learned all the rules but it would have been more fun to have played a few games. It’s just such a manly sport, no padding!” The workshop served as perfect preparation for the match we will be seeing in Dublin. Everyone was very enthusiastic about it. “I enjoyed the workshops; I wish we could have played an actual game! On second thought it might be better off, I’m a terrible goalie!” said Wallace Gowan. The nightly activities Irish dance and drama were on evening agenda. The Siege of Ennis and Walls of Limerick have nearly been perfected as students kicked their heels up, and drama presentations are looking up and up as each group develop more and more of an idea about the life and times of their iconic Irish figurehead. A movie was necessary for the low key night of packing up and moving out. Lights out in Waterford!
Thursday July 12th 2007
Today brings the second leg of our stay in Ireland. Heading to Dublin was smooth and thorough! It took a bit of teamwork to get all our luggage and supplies together and the coaches packed but we are a well-oiled machine and practiced at lending helping hands. This of course is no surprise as our 2007 group is hands down an incredible bunch, just fantastic! With each tour we’ve been on and each location we’ve visit shining reports have been issued as anyone we encounter is glowing with compliments! Our staff is enjoying themselves as much as the students! Adrienne Reuss Senior Counselor beams “Everyone is wonderful, it is an absolute pleasure to work with these kids, and they have been nothing but a joy the whole time!” We were then welcomed to King’s Hospital in Palmerstown with an opening day barbecue. And to get used to the city of Dublin and its environs we set out on an evening coastal drive and tour around Dublin bay! Our destination, Howth head, is a fishing village in South County Dublin. Howth itself is a very large hill surrounded by cliffs, and the summit has incredible views across Dublin Bay. Sean Roberts described it as a “perfect place for camping, I can just imagine it! ”The harbor was previously used as a shipping port however nowadays it is primarily a fishing center and yachting harbor. The spectacular views set the stage perfectly for our time in Dublin!
Friday July 13th 2007
First full day in Dublin debuted with a tour of Kilmainham Jail, this is a necessary introduction to all things Irish. The Jail was built in the late 1700s and has played a role in practically every act of Ireland’s anguished path to independence. Megan Dunne, “there is just so much history going through there it felt really cool!” Described as grey and threatening, this building was suitably dreary in the Dublin rain, Friday the 13th made for an extra air of eeriness! Wallace Gowan said, “The jail was very informative, it touched me. I can feel the pain of everything related to Irish history. I can feel it.” The girls enjoyed the love story underlying the prison stories, “it made me ache hearing the story about Joseph Plunkett and his bride, Grace … and then seeing the painting of Madonna and child that was in her cell, I couldn’t see straight!” said Julia Aguilar. The tour was extremely informative and Elizabeth Borah focused on detail, “I just loved the Victorian section in the new jail; the architecture was fantastic with the staircase and all. The stories about the prisoners were really interesting, especially the idea that huge numbers during the Famine were actually trying to get into jail as the conditions in the prison were so much better than what they were living in”. Katya Reichert commented, “It was so eerie, the executioner’s cell was so much colder than all the others”. A driving tour of the city center followed on in the afternoon and we learned about the history of Dublin as a Viking settlement, saw the sites of the 1916 rising, the governmental buildings, monuments, castles and hot spots. When asked about first impressions of Dublin all responses were positive, though one truly savvy traveler Deirdre Engelman pointed out that “chocolate bars are twenty cent more expensive!” Welcome to a European capital city! Emily Drennan said, “Honestly, leaving Waterford was bittersweet; since it was the first place I’d ever stayed in Ireland I’m sentimental about it! But Dublin is so pretty… even in the rain!” After dinner our Irish Way group joined up with the other international students now boarding at King’s Hospital. French, Italian and Spanish all came together to dance the night away at a disco put on at the school. So far Dublin is a hit!
Saturday, July 14th 2007
Morning classes jumpstarted the day followed by a castle making workshop. The aim was to learn about the history of a specific castle and how its role contributed to Ireland’s past. There is a level of artistry that keeps surfacing as the students are challenging themselves in new ways. This will be an ongoing project that students will have the opportunity to continue working on. A prize will be given to the best creation! That evening we were in for a treat, a group of musicians came down from Belfast and entranced and enchanted us with their traditional tunes. “It was really cool how they went into detail describing the history of their instruments; I loved that they didn’t just sit there and play at us” said Matt Kelly. And oh did they play! There wasn’t anyone without a head bobbing or a foot tapping, Nicholas Comeaux cheered on saying it was “totally awesome! It was the best ever, hearing them play live doesn’t even compare to any of the CDs I’ve listened to before”. Furthermore we were lucky to hear all about the history of the instruments; Thomas Carr described a favorite part of the musicians’ visit, “Mapping the progression from traditional Irish music to the folk music at home was so interesting”. Kerry Murdoch echoed this saying, “We got to learn the roots of traditional Irish music first hand! It was great to have so many of us participating with the drummers and Irish dancers”. And what a talented bunch we are ourselves!
Sunday, July 15th 2007
Sunday, a day of rest meant a lie in to start the day! Rested and rejuvenated the group decked themselves in Dublin hues, navy and royal blue, and we set out for Croke Park to watch Laois and our own Dublin compete in the Leinster Final in Gaelic Football. The winner will play in the All-Ireland final next month! It was a sea of blues in the jerseys, face paints and flags, as we cheered and chanted along with the buzzing crowd of locals and those rooting for the home team. After the GAA workshop with the rules under our belt we knew what the sport was all about! Croke Park is often referred to as Hill 16 because of its foundations built from the 1916 rising, and the atmosphere is like nothing ever experienced at any arena, stadium or court back home! This was a general consensus among the group. Burke Kearney, prefacing his sentiment with an expression of pride in the honor of being quoted in the online diary, described how cool it was to watch the game and sport itself saying “the atmosphere was intense –probably the best sporting event I’ve ever attended!” And when Dublin came out on top there were more thrills and excitement! Matt Kelly was stunned at the intensity of this fast paced game, “we rushed the field!” Meghan Esworthy said, “It was my favorite part of the trip so far!” What a lucky day for us all, winning weather as well! Up Dublin!
Monday, July 16th 2007
We’ve been spoiled with royal treatment here so far, and today we were invited to the President’s Residence! Aras an Uachtarain is the formal name and it was built in 1751. IT has been the residence of the Irish president since 1937 after Ireland cut off ties with British Crown and established the office of the president. President Mary MacAleese is in the middle of a 7 year term and was preceded by Mary Robinson who began the tradition of lighting a candle in the window. Leaving the proverbial light on for those who have left the country, reminding them that all are welcome home anytime, it is something that has kept many going. No wonder we were welcomed so openly! Where else but in Ireland would one be invited into the home of the President for high tea, as if it were your neighbor or Granny?! It was a treat for all of us, Meghan Butler said “We just had tea at the President’s home, it’s so exciting!” Jessica Moody commented on the buffed and polished look of our group, “We’re so fancy! Look at us all dressed up, so civilized!” The tour was brief as a number of rooms were closed off, but a story went along with everything, there were anecdotal descriptions running deep into the fabrics and moldings of the interior. Ryan Raines described the residence saying, “It was like stepping into the house of Ireland’s history”. Students found themselves reclining on the self same sofa upon which sat Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, Elton John and President Clinton to name a few. “The lack of security surprised me, it was very relaxed! This was surprising in comparison with the White House sniper training. It was really informative, good tea!” said Wallace Gowan. The afternoon at the President’s house ended as students took turns tickling the ivory’s! What an opportunity. And despite not actually meeting President MacAleese it was still a terrific day. Perhaps next time she’ll be about whenever we stop in for tea!
Tuesday, July 17th 2007
Today was a huge day for all of us! We set off from Dublin at first light; early starts are a must whenever the days are as full as this. The trip today included the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick a Rede bridge, both located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The Giant’s Causeway has both mythology and geology associated with it. It is said that Finn MacCool built the causeway in order to conquer Benandonner, the Scottish giant. He ended up victorious however not without Benandonner ripping up the causeway leaving only some of the hexagonal stone columns dipping between the waves as if the handiwork of giants. The geology describes the basaltic lava flowing and splitting creating the hexagonal cracks. What do we think? Kara Erb said, “I believe! The giant lives!” And as for the scenery? Michael Blatti described the view saying, “the landscape was too beautiful to be painted” Brittany Weimar said, “From looking at pictures I expected it to be amazing, but nothing compares to an experience firsthand”
And Carrick-a-Rede bridge is 1 meter wide and 30 meters high and spans a break between the sea cliffs and the small island of Carrick-a-Rede. The bridge is put up every spring by the local fisherman and they have been doing this for the past 200 years! Scotland lay as though we could reach out and touch it, looking out over the the sea cliffs with the black basalt and white chalk was incredible! Carrick-a-Rede bridge proved rickety! According to Shea Connell, “it was gorgeous, just breathtaking… literally breathtaking, I couldn’t breathe crossing over the bridge!”
Two boys summed perhaps best summed up the day and its significance: Wallace Gowan, “Yes, it was a long and tiring day but so worth it. It has been a family dream to come over here. I’d seen pictures from the Giant’s Causeway so it was very strange to be out walking on the stones, they were perfectly placed like a child walking up stairs for the first time. I think I took at least one hundred pictures for my Dad, he’ll want to see every inch of the place!” Frances Xavier Cassidy III, “the picturesque landscape and the rugged terrain of Northern Ireland have given me a new outlook on life. It has brought me to the realization that I must return immediately to the land of my forefathers”.
So the day was a hit! Nicholas Comeaux, “Giant’s Causeway has made this trip for me; this really was a defining moment on the Irish Way. Seeing pictures of it is what made me want to come to Ireland after all! And as if today couldn’t get any better –tomorrow’s Riverdance!” We stopped for grub on the way home in Ballycastle, a harbor town, marking the east end of the Giant’s Causeway, or what Molly Ferns described as a “quaint Irish village”. The pizza was hard to resist as the dinner of choice although local fare of fish and chips was the big hit of the evening! And although the first real sign of rain came as we were loading onto the buses to complete the journey home, the sun came out soon enough. The perk? A full blown rainbow spanning the sky, an arc Roy G. Biv would have envied! We drove on passing seaside village after seaside village on our coastal drive down the Antrim coast the sky was full and the mountains, standing ahead and hanging behind, framed our route. Nothing could have been more fitting than sticking Braveheart into the DVD player while settling into the snug of the bus with Scotland in the distance.
After a morning of classes which covered such topics as the European Union and Ireland’s economic policy, Irish poet Seamus Heaney among others and their works, the continuing role of influential Irish in America and conversational Irish the rest of the afternoon was dedicated to the GAA workshop. The Gaelic Athletic Association is an organization founded in Ireland in the late 1800s as a means to support nationhood and promote Irish sports. Four members of the GAA led the workshop coaching and training students on the rules and tactics of Gaelic Football and Hurling. The afternoon was dry thankfully, “it was sweet, we learned from the truly experienced people,” said Ryan Raines. The talent was out in force and some of our own were even considered to be contenders! Student Michael Blatti boasted, “I was nearly recruited; they wanted me to sign up! I’m glad we learned all the rules but it would have been more fun to have played a few games. It’s just such a manly sport, no padding!” The workshop served as perfect preparation for the match we will be seeing in Dublin. Everyone was very enthusiastic about it. “I enjoyed the workshops; I wish we could have played an actual game! On second thought it might be better off, I’m a terrible goalie!” said Wallace Gowan. The nightly activities Irish dance and drama were on evening agenda. The Siege of Ennis and Walls of Limerick have nearly been perfected as students kicked their heels up, and drama presentations are looking up and up as each group develop more and more of an idea about the life and times of their iconic Irish figurehead. A movie was necessary for the low key night of packing up and moving out. Lights out in Waterford!
Thursday July 12th 2007
Today brings the second leg of our stay in Ireland. Heading to Dublin was smooth and thorough! It took a bit of teamwork to get all our luggage and supplies together and the coaches packed but we are a well-oiled machine and practiced at lending helping hands. This of course is no surprise as our 2007 group is hands down an incredible bunch, just fantastic! With each tour we’ve been on and each location we’ve visit shining reports have been issued as anyone we encounter is glowing with compliments! Our staff is enjoying themselves as much as the students! Adrienne Reuss Senior Counselor beams “Everyone is wonderful, it is an absolute pleasure to work with these kids, and they have been nothing but a joy the whole time!” We were then welcomed to King’s Hospital in Palmerstown with an opening day barbecue. And to get used to the city of Dublin and its environs we set out on an evening coastal drive and tour around Dublin bay! Our destination, Howth head, is a fishing village in South County Dublin. Howth itself is a very large hill surrounded by cliffs, and the summit has incredible views across Dublin Bay. Sean Roberts described it as a “perfect place for camping, I can just imagine it! ”The harbor was previously used as a shipping port however nowadays it is primarily a fishing center and yachting harbor. The spectacular views set the stage perfectly for our time in Dublin!
Friday July 13th 2007
First full day in Dublin debuted with a tour of Kilmainham Jail, this is a necessary introduction to all things Irish. The Jail was built in the late 1700s and has played a role in practically every act of Ireland’s anguished path to independence. Megan Dunne, “there is just so much history going through there it felt really cool!” Described as grey and threatening, this building was suitably dreary in the Dublin rain, Friday the 13th made for an extra air of eeriness! Wallace Gowan said, “The jail was very informative, it touched me. I can feel the pain of everything related to Irish history. I can feel it.” The girls enjoyed the love story underlying the prison stories, “it made me ache hearing the story about Joseph Plunkett and his bride, Grace … and then seeing the painting of Madonna and child that was in her cell, I couldn’t see straight!” said Julia Aguilar. The tour was extremely informative and Elizabeth Borah focused on detail, “I just loved the Victorian section in the new jail; the architecture was fantastic with the staircase and all. The stories about the prisoners were really interesting, especially the idea that huge numbers during the Famine were actually trying to get into jail as the conditions in the prison were so much better than what they were living in”. Katya Reichert commented, “It was so eerie, the executioner’s cell was so much colder than all the others”. A driving tour of the city center followed on in the afternoon and we learned about the history of Dublin as a Viking settlement, saw the sites of the 1916 rising, the governmental buildings, monuments, castles and hot spots. When asked about first impressions of Dublin all responses were positive, though one truly savvy traveler Deirdre Engelman pointed out that “chocolate bars are twenty cent more expensive!” Welcome to a European capital city! Emily Drennan said, “Honestly, leaving Waterford was bittersweet; since it was the first place I’d ever stayed in Ireland I’m sentimental about it! But Dublin is so pretty… even in the rain!” After dinner our Irish Way group joined up with the other international students now boarding at King’s Hospital. French, Italian and Spanish all came together to dance the night away at a disco put on at the school. So far Dublin is a hit!
Saturday, July 14th 2007
Morning classes jumpstarted the day followed by a castle making workshop. The aim was to learn about the history of a specific castle and how its role contributed to Ireland’s past. There is a level of artistry that keeps surfacing as the students are challenging themselves in new ways. This will be an ongoing project that students will have the opportunity to continue working on. A prize will be given to the best creation! That evening we were in for a treat, a group of musicians came down from Belfast and entranced and enchanted us with their traditional tunes. “It was really cool how they went into detail describing the history of their instruments; I loved that they didn’t just sit there and play at us” said Matt Kelly. And oh did they play! There wasn’t anyone without a head bobbing or a foot tapping, Nicholas Comeaux cheered on saying it was “totally awesome! It was the best ever, hearing them play live doesn’t even compare to any of the CDs I’ve listened to before”. Furthermore we were lucky to hear all about the history of the instruments; Thomas Carr described a favorite part of the musicians’ visit, “Mapping the progression from traditional Irish music to the folk music at home was so interesting”. Kerry Murdoch echoed this saying, “We got to learn the roots of traditional Irish music first hand! It was great to have so many of us participating with the drummers and Irish dancers”. And what a talented bunch we are ourselves!
Sunday, July 15th 2007
Sunday, a day of rest meant a lie in to start the day! Rested and rejuvenated the group decked themselves in Dublin hues, navy and royal blue, and we set out for Croke Park to watch Laois and our own Dublin compete in the Leinster Final in Gaelic Football. The winner will play in the All-Ireland final next month! It was a sea of blues in the jerseys, face paints and flags, as we cheered and chanted along with the buzzing crowd of locals and those rooting for the home team. After the GAA workshop with the rules under our belt we knew what the sport was all about! Croke Park is often referred to as Hill 16 because of its foundations built from the 1916 rising, and the atmosphere is like nothing ever experienced at any arena, stadium or court back home! This was a general consensus among the group. Burke Kearney, prefacing his sentiment with an expression of pride in the honor of being quoted in the online diary, described how cool it was to watch the game and sport itself saying “the atmosphere was intense –probably the best sporting event I’ve ever attended!” And when Dublin came out on top there were more thrills and excitement! Matt Kelly was stunned at the intensity of this fast paced game, “we rushed the field!” Meghan Esworthy said, “It was my favorite part of the trip so far!” What a lucky day for us all, winning weather as well! Up Dublin!
Monday, July 16th 2007
We’ve been spoiled with royal treatment here so far, and today we were invited to the President’s Residence! Aras an Uachtarain is the formal name and it was built in 1751. IT has been the residence of the Irish president since 1937 after Ireland cut off ties with British Crown and established the office of the president. President Mary MacAleese is in the middle of a 7 year term and was preceded by Mary Robinson who began the tradition of lighting a candle in the window. Leaving the proverbial light on for those who have left the country, reminding them that all are welcome home anytime, it is something that has kept many going. No wonder we were welcomed so openly! Where else but in Ireland would one be invited into the home of the President for high tea, as if it were your neighbor or Granny?! It was a treat for all of us, Meghan Butler said “We just had tea at the President’s home, it’s so exciting!” Jessica Moody commented on the buffed and polished look of our group, “We’re so fancy! Look at us all dressed up, so civilized!” The tour was brief as a number of rooms were closed off, but a story went along with everything, there were anecdotal descriptions running deep into the fabrics and moldings of the interior. Ryan Raines described the residence saying, “It was like stepping into the house of Ireland’s history”. Students found themselves reclining on the self same sofa upon which sat Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II, Elton John and President Clinton to name a few. “The lack of security surprised me, it was very relaxed! This was surprising in comparison with the White House sniper training. It was really informative, good tea!” said Wallace Gowan. The afternoon at the President’s house ended as students took turns tickling the ivory’s! What an opportunity. And despite not actually meeting President MacAleese it was still a terrific day. Perhaps next time she’ll be about whenever we stop in for tea!
Tuesday, July 17th 2007
Today was a huge day for all of us! We set off from Dublin at first light; early starts are a must whenever the days are as full as this. The trip today included the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick a Rede bridge, both located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. The Giant’s Causeway has both mythology and geology associated with it. It is said that Finn MacCool built the causeway in order to conquer Benandonner, the Scottish giant. He ended up victorious however not without Benandonner ripping up the causeway leaving only some of the hexagonal stone columns dipping between the waves as if the handiwork of giants. The geology describes the basaltic lava flowing and splitting creating the hexagonal cracks. What do we think? Kara Erb said, “I believe! The giant lives!” And as for the scenery? Michael Blatti described the view saying, “the landscape was too beautiful to be painted” Brittany Weimar said, “From looking at pictures I expected it to be amazing, but nothing compares to an experience firsthand”
And Carrick-a-Rede bridge is 1 meter wide and 30 meters high and spans a break between the sea cliffs and the small island of Carrick-a-Rede. The bridge is put up every spring by the local fisherman and they have been doing this for the past 200 years! Scotland lay as though we could reach out and touch it, looking out over the the sea cliffs with the black basalt and white chalk was incredible! Carrick-a-Rede bridge proved rickety! According to Shea Connell, “it was gorgeous, just breathtaking… literally breathtaking, I couldn’t breathe crossing over the bridge!”
Two boys summed perhaps best summed up the day and its significance: Wallace Gowan, “Yes, it was a long and tiring day but so worth it. It has been a family dream to come over here. I’d seen pictures from the Giant’s Causeway so it was very strange to be out walking on the stones, they were perfectly placed like a child walking up stairs for the first time. I think I took at least one hundred pictures for my Dad, he’ll want to see every inch of the place!” Frances Xavier Cassidy III, “the picturesque landscape and the rugged terrain of Northern Ireland have given me a new outlook on life. It has brought me to the realization that I must return immediately to the land of my forefathers”.
So the day was a hit! Nicholas Comeaux, “Giant’s Causeway has made this trip for me; this really was a defining moment on the Irish Way. Seeing pictures of it is what made me want to come to Ireland after all! And as if today couldn’t get any better –tomorrow’s Riverdance!” We stopped for grub on the way home in Ballycastle, a harbor town, marking the east end of the Giant’s Causeway, or what Molly Ferns described as a “quaint Irish village”. The pizza was hard to resist as the dinner of choice although local fare of fish and chips was the big hit of the evening! And although the first real sign of rain came as we were loading onto the buses to complete the journey home, the sun came out soon enough. The perk? A full blown rainbow spanning the sky, an arc Roy G. Biv would have envied! We drove on passing seaside village after seaside village on our coastal drive down the Antrim coast the sky was full and the mountains, standing ahead and hanging behind, framed our route. Nothing could have been more fitting than sticking Braveheart into the DVD player while settling into the snug of the bus with Scotland in the distance.
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