Caught up in Crocheting

Several students took a workshop with counselor Noreen to learn how to crochet, as well as how crocheting came to Ireland as a means to provide income during the famine.  Families crocheted intricate designs as luxury goods.  After quickly catching onto the craft and crocheting over the past few days, we have several headbands and a couple of scarves completed!

Sunset Crew

This evening, a group of Irish Way students walked to the Bundoran beach with counselors Noreen and Katie to watch the sunset.  On our third attempt to watch the sunset over the water (the first two times it was rainy and grey) we caught a spectacular and colorful end to the day... we all agreed it was amazing!  

Gaelic Football

John, Anna, Caroline and Erin show support from the sidelines for fellow Irish Way 

students playing Gaelic football.

Students playing in the Gaelic football match

Catherine, Carolyn, Meghan, Ellie, Heather and Katie getting pumped for the game

Jessica, Brigid, Brianna and Shannon getting ready for the Gaelic football match

This evening, many of us learned the rules of Gaelic football and had a match with other students staying in Bundoran.  

Caitlin, Tom and Jessica dip their feet in the holy waters.

Caitlin adds a prayer to the tree at St. Patrick's Well.

James is checking out items left at the statue of St. Patrick.

After Abbey Mass Rock, we walked down to St. Patrick's Well, where people come to observe the Immaculate Conception each year on August 15 by standing in the blessed waters.  Near the well is a prayer tree where people tie things to the branches to signify a prayer.  

Ballyshannon & beyond!

Catherine reenacting the role of a priest at Abbey Mass Rock

Katie, Carolyn, Ellie, Heather, Meghan, Anna, Caroline and Catherine at Abbey Mass Rock

Today we took a trip to the small town of Ballyshannon, a charming village not far from Bundoran.  Niamh led us out of town to the Abbey Mass Rock, where Catholics used to attend secret mass during the penal period.  

So, catching up on our travels ...

... we've been having a blast! Over the past few days, we've been cliffjumping in Donegal Bay, visiting W.B. Yeats' grave in Drumcliffe, and taking in traditional Irish dancing in Bunduran. What fun!!! Keep in mind that all of these activities have taken place with incredible scenery all around. Yeats' beloved Ben Bulben mountain seems to follow us as we explore the region. Another highlight from yesterday was our trip to the Glencar waterfall, an incredible sight that Yeats sought out for serenity. Enjoy our photos!

What was life in a castle like???

We headed into the town of Donegal this morning, catching a glimpse of what life in a 17th Century Irish castle was really like. Following the 'Flight of the Earls' in the 1600's, the Brooks family moved into the castle and lived quite the life. The tour provided students with detailed accounts of royal life and insights into how a castle was designed.

Sunday morning Irish Way classes with Niamh focused on the arrival of St. Patrick and Christianity to Ireland.  To wrap up class, we sang some lively Irish songs, including Wild Rover, Belfast Girl and Molly Malone.

 

After class, we broke into teams and used various materials to build boats.  Dressed in wet suits, students competed to see who could row fastest across a small pool... but all the boats sank. To overcome this obstacle, students swam with their boats to the finish line!

In the evening, we were introduced to rock climbing and abseiling (repelling).  Anna and James even climbed the wall blindfolded!

Happy Fourth of July!

In the afternoon we went to experience first hand about ancient burials and tombs (topics from the class) as we traveled to Carrowmore, a megalithic burial ground. Some of the tombs date back to 500 years before the pyramids.

After dinner, we pulled on the wet suits and learned how to surf! Even though when we got off of the bus it was pouring rain, those planning to learn participated in the lesson on the beach and got into the water. Luckily the weather soon cleared up after hitting the water and we had some very successful first time surfers. Everyone agreed that this was an exciting way to celebrate the Fourth of July. 

To continue the 4th of July celebration, we used a portable grill and celebrated with hot dogs and sparklers!