From Dublin to Cork

In our first day in Dublin, we explored Trinity College as well as the National Museum, where we saw expeditions on prehistoric Ireland, Viking Ireland and Ireland’s gold. From there we ventured to the National Library, where we furthered our knowledge on W.B. Yeats. In the afternoon the students were free to explore the Grafton Street and Temple Bar areas. After a day in Dublin City, the students had evening class with Niamh and talked about more current Irish issues.

Thursday we went back into Dublin to O’Connell and Henry Streets and the General Post Office. The majority of the students saw the newest Harry Potter movie, with costumes and all!

On Friday we visited Kilmainham Gaol where we learned more about the prisoners held there and its connection to the Easter Uprising of 1916. After returning to King’s Hospital to freshen up and put on our “smart” clothes, we visited the house of the President of Ireland. Unfortunately the President was vacationing, but we enjoyed tea and a tour of her entertaining rooms. Shannon got quite the opportunity of a lifetime: playing a song on the President’s Steinway piano! In the evening the students put the finishing touches on their drama performances which they will perform in Cork on Sunday evening.

We arrived in Cork this evening after a great few days in Dublin. On our way we stopped at the Rock of Cashel to enjoy the heritage site and stretch our legs. Next stop was Cobh to visit the Annie Moore statue and explore the coastal city. This evening, after checking into our accommodations in Cork, we went to Kinsale for a teen music festival and listened to Irish bands. Needless to say, it’s been quite a week!