The Irish Experience 2011

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2011-07-30T00:20:00.000-07:00

Today is a full day of packing and flying back to our homeland. What an incredible month. Thank you to all family, friends, staff, parents and especially Garry for giving us an incredible month in Ireland.

Until next time...

To the Mountains!

2011-07-28T02:17:00.000-07:00

Glendalough

Today we had an amazing adventure! We headed up to Glendalough, which means "Glen of Two Lakes". It is located in a beautiful glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland. Glendalough is renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement. It was founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin, a hermit priest. Sadly, it was destroyed in 1398 by English troops. The students had a chance to walk through the beautiful grounds, go inside the cemetery and stroll along the beautiful path on the lake. After enjoying the lovely afternoon in Glendalough, we went to Powerscourt.

Powerscourt is an Irish Estate located near Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland. It is famous for its incredible mansion and beautifully landscaped gardens. Today it occupies forty-seven acres. The house was originally a 13th century castle but was altered during the 18th century by a German architect. It is now owned and run by the Slazenger (British sports brand) family. Today the students were able to enjoy the incredible view and beauty of the Powerscourt golf course, Avoca Handweavers restaurant, the incredible hotel, gorgeous gardens and the Triton Lake. The sun was beautiful today in the Wicklow mountains.

Tomorrow students will be studying hard for their final exam. After the exam it's our big end of the term Gala! Stay posted...

Rural Ireland, natural beauty, homemade scones, peaceful tour and delicious soft Irish icecream...

Glendalough Tower

Cemetery in the Moutains, Glendalough

The Irish Experience!

Glendalough

Irish Bagpiper, Glendalough Entrance

Powerscourt!

Everyone together in Powerscourt

Castle "House" in Powerscourt

Taking in the Sun at Powerscourt

Flying Across the Gardens of Powerscourt

Dublin Adventures

2011-07-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Beautiful Grounds of the Museum

Yesterday's group visited the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail). It is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe. it was involved in some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's history and its emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Over the 128 years it served as a prison, its cells held many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence.

Children were sometimes arrested for petty theft and held in the prison, the youngest said to be a seven year-old boy. Many of the adult prisoners were eventually deported to Australia after their stay. Men, women and children were imprisoned together, up to 5 in each cell, often with only a single candle for light and heat. Most of their time was spent in the cold and the dark as each candle had to last the prisoner for two weeks.

Kilmainham Gaol was closed as a prison in 1924, by the government of the new Irish Free State. Following lengthy renovation, Kilmainham Gaol now hosts a museum on the history of Irish nationalism and offers guided tours of the building. ( http://www.tourist-information-dublin.co.uk/). Students had the afternoon to tour the Gaol, ask questions and learn about the life during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The second group today visited the Irish Museum of Modern Art. It is known for its leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The Museum presents a wide variety of art and artists in the country. The students had the afternoon to explore the beautiful grounds of the Museum and enjoy the beautiful sunshine in Dublin.

After a busy afternoon of exploring, we had dinner at the Thunder Road Cafe and went to Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin! Words can not do justice to this spectacular show. The dancing, music and acting was incredible. It was a magical two hours in the Gaiety theatre. (Due to copyright, no photos or video were taken. See http://www.riverdance.com/ "The Journey" - this is the one we went to!)

Petty theft, modern art, imprisonment, delicious food, and Irish culture, Riverdance...

Mastering the Dublin Transportation

The Entrance of Irish Museum of Modern Art

Fish Eye View with Ben!

Relaxing Before Dinner

Inside the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

RIVERDANCE!

Models of Dublin

Churches of Dublin

2011-07-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

Christ Church Cathedral Dublin

Today half of the students went to see St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church. The remainder went to visit Dublin's Kilmainham Gaol. A blog will be on the Gaol tomorrow.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was built in honour of Ireland's patron saint. Saint Patrick's Cathedral is right beside the famous well where Saint Patrick baptize converts on his visit to Dublin. In 1191 Saint Patrick's parish was granted collegiate status and then in 1224 was raised to a cathedral status. Today's building dates as far back 1224. Saint Patrick's Cathedral is now a National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

After visiting Saint Patrick's, we head to Christ Church Cathedral. According to the earliest manuscripts, Christ Church was present as early as 1030. Dúnán, the first bishop of Dublin and Sitriuc, Norse king of Dublin, founded the original Viking church, which was probably subject to the archbishop of Canterbury. By 1152 it was incorporated into the Irish church and within a decade the famous Archbishop Laurence O’Toole had been appointed. This future patron saint of Dublin began a reform of the cathedral’s constitution along European lines and introduced the canons regular of Saint Augustine forming a cathedral priory, which was to survive until the Reformation following the liturgical use of Sarum (Salisbury) in England. (http://cccdub.ie/)

Christ Church

Smiles of Dublin

Entering Christ Church

The Gals

Reverence

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

Beautiful, old, historical Dublin, and Saints...

The Trek to Newgrange

2011-07-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Newgrange!

The passage and chamber of this incredible structure was built approximately around 3200 BC. This Megalithic Passage Tomb covers one acre and is beautifully decorated with megalithic art work. The Megalithic mounds entered Irish mythology as fairy mounds. Newgrange was to be home of Oenghus, the god of love. It has been calculated that Newgrange would have taken 20 years to construct. The passage and chamber of Newgrange is famous for the what happens during the Winter Solstice. The interior is illuminated by the sunrise. A beam of sunlight shines through the top of the entrance and penetrates all the way until the end of the passage. Since it was not winter solstice this weekend, we had a simulation of what it would look like. It was incredible to see how the small shaft of light illuminates the entire chamber. This event will last for seventeen minutes at dawn on the Winter Solstice. Each year Newgrange has a lottery for people to be entered to receive a spot in the chamber to watch the phenomenon. 25, 000 people apply annually and, there is only room for 50 people to be chosen.

Bottom of the Mound

Entrance for the Light to Come in During Winter Solstice

Blue Skies. Sunny Skies.

Ready for Flight

Full Speed of...fun!

In addition to the incredible tour that we had at Newgrange, we also had a tour guide on the drive to and from Newgrange. She was incredible and provided us with thousands of years of history. After leaving Newgrange all the students had the chance to watch their first Gaelic football match.

Gaelic football is played with teams of 15 on a rectangular field with H- shaped goals at each end. The object of the game is to score by kicking or striking the ball with the hand and getting it through the goals. The team that has the highest score, wins. You are also allowed to carry, soloing (dropping and then toe-kicking the ball upward into the hands), kicking and hand-passing to your team-mates. Gaelic Football can be compared to a combination of rugby, soccer and basketball. Here, take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEAbWrdB9XU

Gaelic Football Photography: Jenn Piersma

Gaelic Football, Dublin

Devoted North American Fans

Number One Canadian Fans

North American Fans!

Megalithic, Fairy Tales, Irish Stadiums, Sun...

Back to the 1800's

2011-07-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Dublin in the Night

We had a busy and exciting day in Dublin. We visited Trinity College Dublin and toured the beautiful grounds and had the chance go into Trinity College Library Dublin.

Trinity College Library Dublin is one of the world's great research libraries, holding the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. Since 1801 it has had the right to claim a free copy of all British and Irish publications under the relevant copyright acts and has a stock of nearly three million volumes housed in a total of eight buildings. There has been a library since Trinity College was founded by charter of Queen Elizabeth in 1592. The earliest surviving building, the Old Library, was built between 1712 and 1732 to the design of Thomas Burgh.

At the same time, we got to see the Treasury for the display of Irish medieval gospel manuscripts, principally the Book of Kells, the Book of Armagh and the Book of Durrow. We learned how the manuscripts were created and the minerals they used to bring such vibrant colours to their work. It was incredible.

Outside the Museum

Two of Our Wonderful English Teachers
Trinity College Dublin

For dinner we were treated to the lively and delicious Thunder Road Cafe in Temple Bar. To finish off an amazing day we went to see Translations by Brian Friel at the Abbey Theatre. The Abbey Theatre was founded in 1903 by W.B. Yeats and Lady August Gregory. Its precursors were the Irish Literary Theatre and Frank and Willie Fay's National Dramatic Society. With patronage from Miss Annie Horniman, premises were purchased on Old Abbey Street and on December 27th 1904, the Abbey Theatre opened its doors for the first time. (http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/)

Thunder Road Cafe!

So Hungry and Happy!

Translations is more than thirty years since it was first produced is now regarded as a modern masterpiece. Subtle and resonant, it's political drama, an historical tale, a funny and clever play about language and a tender love story.

Outside of the Abbey Theatre

James Joyce

TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel

Amazing Seats!

Excited for the Show to Begin

Gaelic, Book of Kells, History, Thunder Road Cafe, Lots of Laughs...

Dublin from Above!

2011-07-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

Dublin, Ireland

Here we are. Dublin, Ireland! We had our first day of classes here at University College Dublin. Everyone is excited to be a part of the big and bustling city of Dublin. We had a wonderful tour of Dublin on a our own double decker bus.

Here we had the chance to see all the incredible architecture, statues, the place where 2.2 million pints of Guinness are daily manufactured, the river Liffey- personified and immortalized by James Joyce as Analivia in Ulysses, beautiful churches and of course The O2 (U2 were the first band to play in the venue, when Bono and The Edge performed"Van Diemen's Land" and "Desire" to a private audience).

Campus life, ISP's, Bono, Temple Bar Street, tourism, the big city...

View from the Top!

Garry and the Gang

Double Decker Day

Thumbs Up for Dublin

Dublin City Tour

Historica Dublin Monument: Daniel O'Connell

Enjoying the Hustle and Bustle of Downtown Dublin

Learning Our Way Around...

The O2 for U2

From Galway to the Streets of Dublin

2011-07-19T03:20:00.000-07:00

2011 Galway Arts Festival

We had an amazing time in Galway last night as we watched the annual Galway Arts Festival parade down main street. It was packed with people from all over the country to watch. There were incredible pieces of art illuminating the streets. Dragons, clowns, stilt people, magicians, you name it. It was both beautiful and magical. The students were amazing and participated in the dancing!

All Ready for the Festival!

Patiently Waiting for the Parade...

Entertaining Galway Dancers

Frogs as Big as the Roof!

Captain

Making Everyone Laugh

Striking a Pose for the Canadians...

Streets of Galway!

With an early start and a big yummy breakfast, we boarded the buses and made our journey to The Monastery of Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis in Irish meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós"). This monastery is situated in County Offaly, south of Athlone on the River Shannon. It was founded between 545 and 548 by a young man from Rathcroghan. Clonmacnoise is strategically located in order to become a major centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century. It became the most famous monastery in Ireland with visitors from all over Europe. Many of the high Kings of Tara (was a title of authority in ancient Ireland) were buried here.

Everyone Outside the Monastery

Enjoying its Beauty

The Celtic Cross

Clonmacnoise!

After students had a chance to explore the beautiful grounds of the Clonmacnoise, we continued our Journey west to the streets of Dublin! We are all here safe and sound. Everyone is getting settled and enjoying their new place of residence here at the University College of Dublin. Tomorrow classes resume and we start the second half of The Irish Experience.

The Irish Experience Makes its Way to Dublin...

Irish countryside, cows, monastery learning, bustling streets of Dublin...

All the way to Galway!

2011-07-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

Cliffs of Moher

All the way to Galway!

Today we left Cork and ventured to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. This spectacular world of Moher welcomed us with high winds and an incredible drop off 214 metres

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower. (http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/TheCliffs.aspx)

After leaving the Cliffs, we crossed through parts of the Burren Penisula and "snake roads" and into Galway. Today we had an incredible opportunity of going through Galway's city centre and experiencing The Galway Arts Festival. Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's largest international arts festival. Founded in 1978 it has grown into an event with a significant reputation.

Mysteriously high cliffs, incredible winds, live music and delicious food.

Smiling in the Wind

Our Tough Guys

A Little Chilly...

The Sun Came Out!

Higher than the Cliffs

Beautiful

Spontaneous Irish Entertainment

Galway Arts Festival 2011

Slán Go Fóill Cork! (Good Bye for Now Cork)

2011-07-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

What an incredible experience we've had here in Cork. The weather has been so wonderful, the Irish countryside and sea has been breathtaking and the people have been so wonderful to us. Thank you Cork!

Today we are packing up everything and getting ready to head to our next adventure to Cliffs of Moher and then onto Galway for the the weekend. It'll be sad leaving Cork but we are all extremely excited to see more of the beautiful coast of Ireland. Thank you to all the parents, friends, families and teachers who have helped make our first two weeks in Ireland an incredible experience.

We will see you soon in Galway!

Heavy luggage, last minute laundry trips, Cork journal entries and exciting bus rides.

Reluctant Packers...

Not how Mom Taught us to Pack...

The Town with Three Names

2011-07-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Statue on the waterfront of Annie Moore and her brothers. Annie Moore was the first person to be admitted to the United States of America through the new immigration centre at Ellis Island, New York on 1 January 1892.

Before heading to Cobh Harbour, students had a busy day in class working on presentations, assignments and conferencing with their teachers for their upcoming ISU's. You're almost half way- keep up the hard work everyone!

Cobh

Downtown Cobh

Cove, Queenstown and now today, Cobh Harbour (pronounced Cove). A world renowned historical town with one of the largest natural harbours in the world. This beautifully colourful town has experienced invasion, emigration, transportation and adventure.

Following the Great Famine of 1846, Cobh became Ireland's main emigration port. During the Famine, 2 million Irish citizens emigrated the country from Cobh harbour. In 1849 Queen Victoria made a visit and renamed it to Queenstown. However, in 1921 the town reverted to the old name of Cobh. This town's port is also well known because Titanic's last port of call was Cobh.

Students had the opportunity to tour the Cobh Heritage Centre which provided live footage, art work, diaries and histories on influential members and ships of Cobh harbour. We also had a beautiful stroll through the colourful port town while snacking on amazing candy that could be equated to the "Charlie and the Candy Factory".

ISU's, The Great Famine, Emigration and Delightful Candy...

Inside Cobh Heritage Centre

Students with Annie Moore

Enjoying some Delicious Candy on the Port!

Enjoying the Beautiful View of the Port

Charlie's Candy Factory!

Posing on a Canon. No Pun Intended...

Dance Like the Irish

2011-07-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

Another incredibly gorgeous day in Cork. Students have been working very hard on their upcoming assignments and enjoying the beautiful grounds at the University College Cork.

After completing today's classes, we went to visit the beautiful Neo-Gothic St. Finn Barre’s Cathedral. Students had the chance to hear a presentation about the history of the Chapel as well as a tour. St. Finn Barre’s is known for the beautiful sunlight that illuminates the Chapel due its number of stain glass windows that surround the entire Chapel. All the stain glass windows highlight the most important stories of the Bible.

To finish off the amazing day, we put on our dancing shoes and made our way to Lough for an open-air Céilí with live Irish music and Irish Dancing. The students all gracefully danced to the Irish jigs and are now ready to start competing. Thank you especially to the girls for closing our evening by beautifully singing O Canada for the Irish crowd. Everyone loved it!

Assignments, blue skies, Irish jigs, Neo-Gothic history and a big Happy Birthday to Steph!

Studying on Campus

Studying Hard

St. Finn Barre's

Inside St. Finn Barre's

Happy Birthday Steph!

Waiting to Jig

Shannon Dancin' for Ireland

A Fiddle Jig for the Dancers

Mastering the Irish Steps

The Ceili Band

Grab Your Partners and Dance!

Blue Skies and Beaches in Kinsale

2011-07-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

After a full morning of English classes, we journeyed to the picturesque seaport of Kinsale. We spent the afternoon in the beautiful sunshine at the 17th century fort of Charles Fort, named after King Charles II. Here we learned what brought about the end of Gaelic Ireland in 1601. Students had the time to explore the incredible grounds and architecture.

After the tour, we took advantage of the incredibly sunny weather and went to the beach! It didn't take the students long before they were running onto the beach and into the Atlantic Ocean. We had an amazing afternoon enjoying the sunshine and beautiful weather. To finish of the day, we strolled into Kinsale and enjoyed the most incredible Fish and Chips at the famous Dino's on the pier.

Irish Sunshine, rolling hills of Green, Laughing, Dino's and Narrow Roads...

At the top of Charles Fort

The Crew

Enjoying the Beautiful Day

In the Ruins of Charles Fort

A Perfect Afternoon

Sun and Smiles

Beach time in Kinsale!

Keeping Warm!

The Monastic life in the Mountains: Skellig Islands

2011-07-11T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Skellig (which means sharp rock) Islands rise out of the Atlantic Ocean about 12 Km off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry, Ireland. Skellig MIchael, host to 10,000 pairs of nesting puffins, majestically rises 714ft above sea level. At the top of this incredible rock lies a spectacular and well-preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period (early as the 5th century). Here students learned about fascinating stories of the life of the monks and their way of survival on the isolated island.

Small Skellig Island is just as awe-inspiring with 29, 000 pairs of gannets- the second largest colony of such seabirds in the world! From a distance, it looks like a snow covered island in the middle of the Atlantic. You can actually smell it almost before you see it. Incredible.

This weekend, students were courageous, inspiring and full of excitement as we traveled to the Skellig Islands. This included a remarkable road tour on the Ring of Kerry, a wavy, wet and exciting boat tour to the Islands and an awe-striking experience of hiking to the top of the world renowned Monastic historical site.

Puffin Birds, Unexpected Gannet Droppings, Breath Taking Views, and New Friendships...

Excited to Board the Boat!

The Irish Experience

Very Prepared Gentlemen for our Voyage

Off to Skellig Island!

Serenading our Boat with Irish Tunes

Thousands of Gannets

The Crew on our Boat Ride to Skellig

The Skellig Islands

The Cave Entrance to the Island

On a Photography Mission

PUFFIN!

Too Much Fun.

Lunch Break on the top of Skellig!

Posing for our Boat Ride Home to Cork

Testing the Waters...

Behind Irish Bars

2011-07-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine being put into jail at the age of 9 or committing an offense in order to get jail time just so that you can eat?

Welcome to the Cork City Gaol (1823-1923). Located 2km from Cork's main road. This castle-like prison once housed 19th century prisoners as early as nine years old (believed to be the age of reason). When being in the Cork City Gaol, you are accompanied by wax figure inmates, each representing their particular period in Irish history from pre-famine times to the foundation of the State.

Enjoy the pictures of the students galloping across what we call "the shaky" bridge and posing with Gaol inmates.

Shaky bridges, steep hills, soft rain, and Gaols...not jails.

Smiling Ladies on the trek to the Gaol

The Adventure Crew Swinging the Bridge to the Gaol

Posing with the Wardener

A Terrified Inmate...

Playing a Round of Poker with an Inmate

Cork City Gaol Entrance

Stacy Loves the Rain

Kiss The Blarney Stone!

2011-07-06T03:40:00.000-07:00

Blarney Castle, Cork Ireland

From tranquil to serene, to mystical and magical...

It has been said that to kiss the Blarney Stone it will bring about a charm on the kisser, to bestow upon them a silver tongue with which to spin tales and songs to mesmerize others. Many students of The Irish Experience were extremely brave and laid down to Kiss the Stone. We also enjoyed the incredibly beautiful gardens, woodland and the Castle.

Mystical, 60 acres of green, fern gardens, exciting bus rides through Cork.

Running Happily in the Rain

Miss Jenn (English Teacher)

All of us together!

Our Exciting Bus Ride Home..

Arrival to Cork!

2011-07-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

Mountains, beautiful landscape, beaches and sea cliffs.

We made it! Here we are. Sorry for the delay. We are still getting settled. For now, here is a little snippet from our excursion to Cork's city centre. The students enjoyed the "jelly bean" houses and the beautiful architecture as we walked from our residence to Cork's downtown. As well, we were able to witness some beautiful artists while the sun was shining. The weather has been great so far!! Our next adventure is Blarney Castle. It has become a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures.

Potatoes, green and rain jackets.

The Boys Prepping for our Hike into the City Centre

Girls on a Mission

Capturing the Beautiful Architecture of Cork

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2011-07-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, best friends, everyone! Happy Canada Day! We have safely made it! ...to our boarding gate. We are now waiting patiently to board the plane. Lots of smiles and excitement on this side. Let the adventure begin. Updates to follow upon landing.

Excitement, anxious conversations, over priced airport sandwiches, Canada.