From Galway to the Streets of Dublin

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!

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)

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

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

 

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

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!