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| 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!
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| All Ready for the Festival! |
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| Patiently Waiting for the Parade... |
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| Entertaining Galway Dancers |
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| Frogs as Big as the Roof! |
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| Captain |
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| Making Everyone Laugh |
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| Striking a Pose for the Canadians... |
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| 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.
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| Everyone Outside the Monastery |
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| Enjoying its Beauty |
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| The Celtic Cross |
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| 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.
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| The Irish Experience Makes its Way to Dublin... |
Irish countryside, cows, monastery learning, bustling streets of Dublin...
