12-23
Home
I’m HOME!!!!!! What a crazy day. The plane ride was good – short because I slept so long. The car ride home was six hours! That was not so good. It’s great to be back. I missed it here so much.
Coming back there are defiantly some mixed emotions. I loved my time in Dublin completely. But being home is great. Living with Ann was fantastic. Working with Billy was the best I could ask for. School with everyone was fantastic. My hope is that we’ll all try and keep in contact but I know how unlikely that is.
Well Slante and goodnight.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dublin
12-22
Dublin
Wow what a last day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Cody and I woke up, both broke not knowing what to do. He had wanted to see the Dail and Billy had said he’ have something for me so we went in. Showing Cody around was a bit strange because no one was in as it’s suspended until after the Holidays. I showed him around best we could, we got lunch there and then headed up to Billy’s office where we found 100 EURO!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!! We were livin’ rich! Saying goodbye to the Dail was really sad. I loved my time there. It was strange to be leaving.
Then we headed back to the Hostel changed and met up with Lacey. She had never been to Kilmanhum Gaol before so I headed back to the prison. It was probably the best tour that I’d gotten (third times the charm I guess). Cody loved the history of it all. It meant a lot to lacey and I to be there after learning so much about all the revolutionaries and politicians who had spent time in its walls.
Then I decided I had to do something I’d never done before in Dublin before I left. So we all headed on the DART up to Howth, a little fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. It was great. We walked along the harbor and watched the sky turn pink over the Irish Sea. It was really, really beautiful. As usual my camera wasn’t working, but Cody got some great shots. Billy Timmins bought us a half dozen oysters from the bay. OOOOOOHHH MY GAWD! SO GOOD.
We headed back down to Dublin and tried to go to the storehouse. It was closed, which was a blessing in disguise. We stumbled across the carol service at Christ Church Cathedral. When the Corries. Mom and Grace were here we heard the choir warming up. They were fantastic. The best. They sang a song in Gaelic, which took my breath away. One thing that was strange was that none of the carols had the same tune as they do in the states which was bizarre and a bit embarrassing. We actually didn’t have tickets but a priest snuck us some which was awesome.
After the carol service we met up with Lacey one last time at Gogherty’s for music. The band played my favorite traditional songs and then some. They actually were the first band that I heard at Gogherty’s which was great. As we were leaving they played Galway Girl and it made my night.
Dublin
Wow what a last day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Cody and I woke up, both broke not knowing what to do. He had wanted to see the Dail and Billy had said he’ have something for me so we went in. Showing Cody around was a bit strange because no one was in as it’s suspended until after the Holidays. I showed him around best we could, we got lunch there and then headed up to Billy’s office where we found 100 EURO!!!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!! We were livin’ rich! Saying goodbye to the Dail was really sad. I loved my time there. It was strange to be leaving.
Then we headed back to the Hostel changed and met up with Lacey. She had never been to Kilmanhum Gaol before so I headed back to the prison. It was probably the best tour that I’d gotten (third times the charm I guess). Cody loved the history of it all. It meant a lot to lacey and I to be there after learning so much about all the revolutionaries and politicians who had spent time in its walls.
Then I decided I had to do something I’d never done before in Dublin before I left. So we all headed on the DART up to Howth, a little fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. It was great. We walked along the harbor and watched the sky turn pink over the Irish Sea. It was really, really beautiful. As usual my camera wasn’t working, but Cody got some great shots. Billy Timmins bought us a half dozen oysters from the bay. OOOOOOHHH MY GAWD! SO GOOD.
We headed back down to Dublin and tried to go to the storehouse. It was closed, which was a blessing in disguise. We stumbled across the carol service at Christ Church Cathedral. When the Corries. Mom and Grace were here we heard the choir warming up. They were fantastic. The best. They sang a song in Gaelic, which took my breath away. One thing that was strange was that none of the carols had the same tune as they do in the states which was bizarre and a bit embarrassing. We actually didn’t have tickets but a priest snuck us some which was awesome.
After the carol service we met up with Lacey one last time at Gogherty’s for music. The band played my favorite traditional songs and then some. They actually were the first band that I heard at Gogherty’s which was great. As we were leaving they played Galway Girl and it made my night.
Galway - Dublin
12-21
Galway – Dublin
Today we headed out from Galway and made our way to Dublin. Our hostel is ok – cheap but try’s to get you for every penny. Went to Dublin Castle – for the 5th time. Cody thought it was really cool. Then to Christ Church but it was closed. We met my friend Lacey for diner, we ate at a grocery store lunch counter (very classy). The night took a downturn when the place didn’t accept American express and I was out of money. Thankfully Cody was able to help me out. We went to O’Dunnaghoes for one last night of music but, alas it was not to be. The place was so crowded that we ended up just going back to the hostel. Good night over all, great day once again
Galway – Dublin
Today we headed out from Galway and made our way to Dublin. Our hostel is ok – cheap but try’s to get you for every penny. Went to Dublin Castle – for the 5th time. Cody thought it was really cool. Then to Christ Church but it was closed. We met my friend Lacey for diner, we ate at a grocery store lunch counter (very classy). The night took a downturn when the place didn’t accept American express and I was out of money. Thankfully Cody was able to help me out. We went to O’Dunnaghoes for one last night of music but, alas it was not to be. The place was so crowded that we ended up just going back to the hostel. Good night over all, great day once again
Rome - Galway
12-20
Rome – Galway
Today was a crazy day of travel. We flew from Rome to Dublin (a flight packed with priests). There was a cat chilling at our gate which was really funny, especially when priests started coming over to take it’s picture. The flight seemed to take forever. I had finished my book and my IPOD was dead – bad news for a Ryan Air flight. Then we took a bus to Galway.
Galway was packed. Five day’s till Christmas on a Friday and its was out of control. Carolers filled the streets with music, shoppers bustled trough the streets. It was great. Cody loved it. We walked down to the bay to look out over the Ocean. That was awesome. Then we more or less just walked around watching the town go from shoppers delight to club central – a bizarre and rather abrupt shift. We spent the night in the search for music, failing because everyplace was so packed. We had a great time none the less.
Rome – Galway
Today was a crazy day of travel. We flew from Rome to Dublin (a flight packed with priests). There was a cat chilling at our gate which was really funny, especially when priests started coming over to take it’s picture. The flight seemed to take forever. I had finished my book and my IPOD was dead – bad news for a Ryan Air flight. Then we took a bus to Galway.
Galway was packed. Five day’s till Christmas on a Friday and its was out of control. Carolers filled the streets with music, shoppers bustled trough the streets. It was great. Cody loved it. We walked down to the bay to look out over the Ocean. That was awesome. Then we more or less just walked around watching the town go from shoppers delight to club central – a bizarre and rather abrupt shift. We spent the night in the search for music, failing because everyplace was so packed. We had a great time none the less.
Rome
12-19
Rome
Day two in Rome was epic. We destroyed the city. We started off with breakfast – bread and cheese – at the Vatican. Then up to Saint Angelo’s then to Piazza Novana for some fountains and a cool market, then to the massive Pantheon – a massive pre-Christian building that is today a church. Then to the Trevi fountain a massive Bernini fountain that is said to ensure a return trip to the city if you throw a coin in behind your back. Then over to the Tomb of the Unknown solider, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum. The forum and the Coliseum were amazing. To see these things that have been there for hundreds of years before Christ was crazy. The Coliseum was breathtaking. Then to the Piazza della Republica for more fountains and an amazing church (Santa Maria Degli Angeli). Then over to the Spanish Steps for sunset. Finally to Piazza del Popolo for more churches and fountains.
We stayed in that night – not wanting to get beaten up – and watched movies with some guys in our hostel. Good night over all. Amazing day. I’d always wanted to go to Rome but never thought I’d get the chance. My blog clearly doesn’t do it justice . But wow. Completely amazing.
Rome
Day two in Rome was epic. We destroyed the city. We started off with breakfast – bread and cheese – at the Vatican. Then up to Saint Angelo’s then to Piazza Novana for some fountains and a cool market, then to the massive Pantheon – a massive pre-Christian building that is today a church. Then to the Trevi fountain a massive Bernini fountain that is said to ensure a return trip to the city if you throw a coin in behind your back. Then over to the Tomb of the Unknown solider, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum. The forum and the Coliseum were amazing. To see these things that have been there for hundreds of years before Christ was crazy. The Coliseum was breathtaking. Then to the Piazza della Republica for more fountains and an amazing church (Santa Maria Degli Angeli). Then over to the Spanish Steps for sunset. Finally to Piazza del Popolo for more churches and fountains.
We stayed in that night – not wanting to get beaten up – and watched movies with some guys in our hostel. Good night over all. Amazing day. I’d always wanted to go to Rome but never thought I’d get the chance. My blog clearly doesn’t do it justice . But wow. Completely amazing.
Rome
12-18
Rome
Wow what a day. Woke up early and headed out before I was supposed to meet Cody at the bus station. Our hostel was right by the Vatican – yeah how cool – but a bit out of the way. It’s nice to come back to though.
I got up early headed out – something that seems to be a trend. I walked down the road and ran into St. Peters square. It was amazing. To stand in this place that I’d seen so many times in movies and on TV seemed fake. I really felt like there must be a screen up and that it wasn’t really there. Then I walked down the Tiber seeing St. Angelo’s Castle – the fotress of the Pope. It originally was a mausoleum but then the Vatican turned it into a fortress should the Vatican ever come under attack. Pretty cool. Then I made my way up to Piazza del Popolo. It’s an awesome square with two massive matching churches on one end and an amazing fountain in the middle.
Then it was time to meet Cody. I missed him, ran out of credit on my phone, and when I got credit my phone died. Ugh. No worries though I headed back to the Vatican and went into St. Peters. Beautiful. Really just amazing. It’s massive and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Then I made my way up the Copola which is a massive staircase that leads up to the top of the Dome of St. Peters basilica. Not only do you get to see inside the dome but the outside as well. Seeing the sun set over the city of Rome was breathtaking. I really just couldn’t have asked for more… but I got it.
The staircase leaves you inside the basilica itself. When I got down I realized that there was mass going on. I decided “hey how many times am I going to get this chance?” When I was going in I saw Cody! What luck. We celebrated mass together and then went back to the Hostel.
We got ourselves some food – pasta – and headed out. It was a good night until I got beat up by some crazy, very drunk, Italian. He started yelling at his friend and pointing at me. Cody and I threw up our arms and said “hey don’t point at me like that” and he launched himself at me. I – in a very manly gesture – curled up in a ball. His friend pulled him off of me and I ran away. Clearly my future in boxing is not very good.
Rome
Wow what a day. Woke up early and headed out before I was supposed to meet Cody at the bus station. Our hostel was right by the Vatican – yeah how cool – but a bit out of the way. It’s nice to come back to though.
I got up early headed out – something that seems to be a trend. I walked down the road and ran into St. Peters square. It was amazing. To stand in this place that I’d seen so many times in movies and on TV seemed fake. I really felt like there must be a screen up and that it wasn’t really there. Then I walked down the Tiber seeing St. Angelo’s Castle – the fotress of the Pope. It originally was a mausoleum but then the Vatican turned it into a fortress should the Vatican ever come under attack. Pretty cool. Then I made my way up to Piazza del Popolo. It’s an awesome square with two massive matching churches on one end and an amazing fountain in the middle.
Then it was time to meet Cody. I missed him, ran out of credit on my phone, and when I got credit my phone died. Ugh. No worries though I headed back to the Vatican and went into St. Peters. Beautiful. Really just amazing. It’s massive and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Then I made my way up the Copola which is a massive staircase that leads up to the top of the Dome of St. Peters basilica. Not only do you get to see inside the dome but the outside as well. Seeing the sun set over the city of Rome was breathtaking. I really just couldn’t have asked for more… but I got it.
The staircase leaves you inside the basilica itself. When I got down I realized that there was mass going on. I decided “hey how many times am I going to get this chance?” When I was going in I saw Cody! What luck. We celebrated mass together and then went back to the Hostel.
We got ourselves some food – pasta – and headed out. It was a good night until I got beat up by some crazy, very drunk, Italian. He started yelling at his friend and pointing at me. Cody and I threw up our arms and said “hey don’t point at me like that” and he launched himself at me. I – in a very manly gesture – curled up in a ball. His friend pulled him off of me and I ran away. Clearly my future in boxing is not very good.
Barcelona - Rome
12-17
Barcelona – Rome
Today I got up early and walked up the Ramblas one more time. Today was gorgeous to bad I had to spend it all on Ryan Air. The flight was good, short. When I got off the plane I tried to withdraw some money, that didn’t work. Little scary for a bit. Mom was able to get some to me by the time that I got to the hostel though. The hostel is great. Everyone here is really nice. The girl running the place use to be in finance on Wall st. but decided she should get out (good timing). There’s an American named Armondo who just got done hitch-hiking across America for a year and a half, and a party crazed Austrian named Greg, quite the crew. I got in really late again so I stayed in ad hug out at the hostel.
Barcelona – Rome
Today I got up early and walked up the Ramblas one more time. Today was gorgeous to bad I had to spend it all on Ryan Air. The flight was good, short. When I got off the plane I tried to withdraw some money, that didn’t work. Little scary for a bit. Mom was able to get some to me by the time that I got to the hostel though. The hostel is great. Everyone here is really nice. The girl running the place use to be in finance on Wall st. but decided she should get out (good timing). There’s an American named Armondo who just got done hitch-hiking across America for a year and a half, and a party crazed Austrian named Greg, quite the crew. I got in really late again so I stayed in ad hug out at the hostel.
Barcelona
12-16
Barcelona
Great day, the city is absolutely gorgeous. It rained off and on all day, which stank but ehhh what are you going to do? Traveling by myself if kinda strange. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s nice cause I get to places really quick, but not so much fun cause I don’t have anyone to joke around with.
Woke up early and headed out – after my free breakfast. First I went to the Roman Wall. It’s pretty much just an old wall, but that it’s been there since Roman times is pretty amazing. Today is the local hang out for pigeons as far as I could tell.
Then I made my way to the City Basilica. I’m sure it’s beautiful from the outside but they had it all blocked off for restoration. The inside though is a very cool courtyard with many little chapels each with a very cool statue with candles that can be lit on the outside. All of the statues are behind bars, which I must admit is a little disconcerting but I guess you do what you have to. The center of the courtyard is filled with giant palm trees. Right now they have a nativity scene with live chickens, geese and ducks. It’s really cool. There are actually nativities all over the city which is nice.
Then I made my way up the Ramblas which is a giant boulevard with an open air market in the middle famous for its flower and bird stands. It was really really cool. Outside one of the bird sands I saw a pigeon eating another birds food through the bars, this just didn’t seem fair.
Right off the Ramblas is an open air food market. It was massive. Everything you could possibly want, meat, fruit, vegetables, seafood, everything. It was really cool just to walk around. I thought it might have been a cool Idea to get lunch there but it was still really early so I didn’t do that.
Then I walked up the Ramblas till I bit the Catalonia Square. Barcelonans don’t actually consider themselves Spanish, but rather a separate nationality called Catalonian’s. I had no idea. Pretty cool though. They have a big square celebrating their history.
After this I headed up the road and took pictures of a bunch of buildings by an architect named Gaudi. He was famous at the turn of the century and has a series of just some beautiful buildings. They’re all very curvy and modern. Hard to describe but look at my facebook for pictures. My two favorite Gaudi’s were Parke Guell and Sagrada la Familia.
Park Guell is a park designed by Gaudi originally meant to be a rich housing estate. It’s filled with almost fairy tale architecture – including two gingerbread houses and a mosaic lizard.
Sagrada la Familia is Gaudii’s “masterpiece. It’s a massive cathedral with 12 towers – one for each apostle. It also has two styles – the front is very modern the back is very … well I’m not so sure but maybe gothic? In any case the back side is filled with tiny little sculptures of bible stories that are put into the sides of the building.
After Sagrada la Familia I made my way to Monteju….. not sure how to spell it. Translated though it means “the Jew hill. It’s this massive park were the Barcelona Jewish Ghetto was before they knocked it down to make way for the Olympics. It’s a massive and beautiful hill that’s today just one giant park. It looks out over the Mediterranean on one side and the city on the other.
That night I stayed in my hostel with some kids from Canada, the states, Brazil, and Australia (they’re everywhere). Good night, and wonderful day.
Barcelona
Great day, the city is absolutely gorgeous. It rained off and on all day, which stank but ehhh what are you going to do? Traveling by myself if kinda strange. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s nice cause I get to places really quick, but not so much fun cause I don’t have anyone to joke around with.
Woke up early and headed out – after my free breakfast. First I went to the Roman Wall. It’s pretty much just an old wall, but that it’s been there since Roman times is pretty amazing. Today is the local hang out for pigeons as far as I could tell.
Then I made my way to the City Basilica. I’m sure it’s beautiful from the outside but they had it all blocked off for restoration. The inside though is a very cool courtyard with many little chapels each with a very cool statue with candles that can be lit on the outside. All of the statues are behind bars, which I must admit is a little disconcerting but I guess you do what you have to. The center of the courtyard is filled with giant palm trees. Right now they have a nativity scene with live chickens, geese and ducks. It’s really cool. There are actually nativities all over the city which is nice.
Then I made my way up the Ramblas which is a giant boulevard with an open air market in the middle famous for its flower and bird stands. It was really really cool. Outside one of the bird sands I saw a pigeon eating another birds food through the bars, this just didn’t seem fair.
Right off the Ramblas is an open air food market. It was massive. Everything you could possibly want, meat, fruit, vegetables, seafood, everything. It was really cool just to walk around. I thought it might have been a cool Idea to get lunch there but it was still really early so I didn’t do that.
Then I walked up the Ramblas till I bit the Catalonia Square. Barcelonans don’t actually consider themselves Spanish, but rather a separate nationality called Catalonian’s. I had no idea. Pretty cool though. They have a big square celebrating their history.
After this I headed up the road and took pictures of a bunch of buildings by an architect named Gaudi. He was famous at the turn of the century and has a series of just some beautiful buildings. They’re all very curvy and modern. Hard to describe but look at my facebook for pictures. My two favorite Gaudi’s were Parke Guell and Sagrada la Familia.
Park Guell is a park designed by Gaudi originally meant to be a rich housing estate. It’s filled with almost fairy tale architecture – including two gingerbread houses and a mosaic lizard.
Sagrada la Familia is Gaudii’s “masterpiece. It’s a massive cathedral with 12 towers – one for each apostle. It also has two styles – the front is very modern the back is very … well I’m not so sure but maybe gothic? In any case the back side is filled with tiny little sculptures of bible stories that are put into the sides of the building.
After Sagrada la Familia I made my way to Monteju….. not sure how to spell it. Translated though it means “the Jew hill. It’s this massive park were the Barcelona Jewish Ghetto was before they knocked it down to make way for the Olympics. It’s a massive and beautiful hill that’s today just one giant park. It looks out over the Mediterranean on one side and the city on the other.
That night I stayed in my hostel with some kids from Canada, the states, Brazil, and Australia (they’re everywhere). Good night, and wonderful day.
Ireland - Barcelona
12-15
Ireland - Barcelona
So today I landed in Barcelona. I got in late so I couldn’t do much. My hostel is really cool. Very modern. What’s really nice is that each bed has three walls and then a curtain so it seems like you have your own little private room. Not like most hostels where you’re just there in the open. Free breakfast so that’s good. The bus out here was 20 euro!!!! I hate that. Also they charge extra for a blanket… things I wont be paying for.
Ireland - Barcelona
So today I landed in Barcelona. I got in late so I couldn’t do much. My hostel is really cool. Very modern. What’s really nice is that each bed has three walls and then a curtain so it seems like you have your own little private room. Not like most hostels where you’re just there in the open. Free breakfast so that’s good. The bus out here was 20 euro!!!! I hate that. Also they charge extra for a blanket… things I wont be paying for.
Belfast
12-14
Belfast
Went up to Belfast with Seth today. Great day. This being said we spent four hours on a bus for a one hour tour but ehh, what are you going to do, pass up a free nights stay? I didn’t think so.
Belfast was great. We got a black cab tour. This was more or less a cabbie driving us around to a lot of the Murals in Belfast. We went the Shankhill road (protestant area) and down the Falls road (Catholic area). What I hadn’t realized was that they were so close together. Literally the two roads are 1 block from each other. The peace wall from that was erected under Tony Blair is still up dividing the two communities. On Sunday’s (today) the walls are closed and there is only one-way in and out of either communities. We had a protestant tour guide but he was very even handed. His brother was in the PSNI and had been killed in an IRA attack, but he was still very cool about the whole thing. It was really amazing.
The murals were very powerful. Many talked about historical events, or groups. Others were commentary on the way the world is today – one very anit-bush one reading “America’s greatest failure.” What was interesting was that the protestant murals seemed much more militaristic than the Catholic ones. They would show armed UDA and UVFers while the Catholic ones were almost all geared towards peace or History.
The whole thing was just really, really, bizarre. It wasn’t quite as creepy as Derry, but it still was very strange. To think that such a small, closed community could have such divisions is really just beyond me.
One interesting thing that the tour guide brought up was the difference between people who lived through the troubles and those who watched from the outside. He said it’s really easy for people who didn’t live it to talk up the rhetoric and not move on, but when you’re there day in and day out knowing that you might not come home from getting your groceries it’s easy to move on, it’s the only option.
I also got to meet Chris’s mom tonight. She was a bizarre little lady. Didn’t seem very happy, but nice I guess. She was put off by my Belfast Tour and couldn’t understand that a Protestant talked about both murals. She had left in 1972 and I think really felt like it was still 72 in the North.
Made it back to Chris’ watched some South park with his roommates and went to bed. Ready to go to Barcelona!
Belfast
Went up to Belfast with Seth today. Great day. This being said we spent four hours on a bus for a one hour tour but ehh, what are you going to do, pass up a free nights stay? I didn’t think so.
Belfast was great. We got a black cab tour. This was more or less a cabbie driving us around to a lot of the Murals in Belfast. We went the Shankhill road (protestant area) and down the Falls road (Catholic area). What I hadn’t realized was that they were so close together. Literally the two roads are 1 block from each other. The peace wall from that was erected under Tony Blair is still up dividing the two communities. On Sunday’s (today) the walls are closed and there is only one-way in and out of either communities. We had a protestant tour guide but he was very even handed. His brother was in the PSNI and had been killed in an IRA attack, but he was still very cool about the whole thing. It was really amazing.
The murals were very powerful. Many talked about historical events, or groups. Others were commentary on the way the world is today – one very anit-bush one reading “America’s greatest failure.” What was interesting was that the protestant murals seemed much more militaristic than the Catholic ones. They would show armed UDA and UVFers while the Catholic ones were almost all geared towards peace or History.
The whole thing was just really, really, bizarre. It wasn’t quite as creepy as Derry, but it still was very strange. To think that such a small, closed community could have such divisions is really just beyond me.
One interesting thing that the tour guide brought up was the difference between people who lived through the troubles and those who watched from the outside. He said it’s really easy for people who didn’t live it to talk up the rhetoric and not move on, but when you’re there day in and day out knowing that you might not come home from getting your groceries it’s easy to move on, it’s the only option.
I also got to meet Chris’s mom tonight. She was a bizarre little lady. Didn’t seem very happy, but nice I guess. She was put off by my Belfast Tour and couldn’t understand that a Protestant talked about both murals. She had left in 1972 and I think really felt like it was still 72 in the North.
Made it back to Chris’ watched some South park with his roommates and went to bed. Ready to go to Barcelona!
Sliver Bridge
12-13
Silver Bridge
Wow what a bizarre day. Today I left Ann’s house for the last time. It was really sad. She’s been a great host mom. I really couldn’t have asked for more. Little crazy yes, but then again who isn’t and aren’t things better when they’re a little off kilter? I remember pulling up to her house the first day and just being in complete amazement and full of joy that I was there. I don’t think I was ever let down.
I left that morning and headed out to Silver Bridge. Took Ulster Bus to Newry and then transferred to a Local bus to Silverbridge. I missed the 12:00 bus so I had to wait till 1 to get the bus. Took about half an hour or 45 min to get there. It’s amazing. It’s a little tiny town with a grocery store/gas station, a pub, a coffee shop and a Chinese restaurant (yeah not really sure what’s up with that one).
I got off the bus and walked around a bit trying to find the cemetery that Dad had told me about. I wasn’t able to, but really wasn’t to concerned. The whole time I was just thinking about how many times my ancestors walked up and down these same roads, on that same place. It was amazing. I stopped in the pub for a pint and to ask directions. I walked in and felt exactly like the ever-present outsider in Irish lit. Everyone Kinda looked at me with this strange little look that said “who on earth is he?” I was sitting at the pub when an old guy at the end of the bar said “cold night” and I said “yeah, yeah it is” and he said “…Are you a Yank?” And our relationship took off from there. I asked him for directions to the two cemeteries and he gave them too me along with a little bit of history.
The cemetery that the Irvin’s are buried in (he said he thought that they would be in a certain one that I can’t remember the name of) is in the churchyard of the oldest serving church in Ireland. We’re also buried in the same burial ground as the O’Neil clan, the old Kings of Ireland.
As it turns out it was to far to walk because the sunset was setting so I wasn’t able to make it out there which made me sad. But I figure I’ll be back soon, and I’ll have adventures in Silverbridge.
His wife walked in and I asked if they knew the Toals. They said yeah that Michael and Margaret lived up the way and their son lived just down the road. They walked me up to the house but they weren’t home. They had built a new house and – I figured that they had knocked down the old family house. Fortunately I was wrong, but I didn’t find out until after dark so I missed out on the house as well.
The family didn’t want me just hanging out for the bus so they took me into their house and we had some tea. I love the Irish. Their names were the Kennedy’s and they were great people. They were really interested in my studies at school and what I thought of “the republic” and “the free state” – I’m thinking they had republican leanings.
The pub actually had been blown up by the IRA after they rushed in and gunned down a 14 year old boy, a man who had just been engaged, a man celebrating the birth of his first daughter as well as his friend. To think that that kind of violence could take place in a town that doesn’t even have a church and to me seemed so peaceful and perfect shocks and horrifies me. With 3,600 dead in the troubles and 1.5 million in NI everyone has a story, each just as heart breaking as the next.
I caught the bus home and stayed the night at my friend Chris’. We made spaghetti which was fantastic. There’s just something about bread, meat, cheese and pasta that makes everything perfect.
Silver Bridge
Wow what a bizarre day. Today I left Ann’s house for the last time. It was really sad. She’s been a great host mom. I really couldn’t have asked for more. Little crazy yes, but then again who isn’t and aren’t things better when they’re a little off kilter? I remember pulling up to her house the first day and just being in complete amazement and full of joy that I was there. I don’t think I was ever let down.
I left that morning and headed out to Silver Bridge. Took Ulster Bus to Newry and then transferred to a Local bus to Silverbridge. I missed the 12:00 bus so I had to wait till 1 to get the bus. Took about half an hour or 45 min to get there. It’s amazing. It’s a little tiny town with a grocery store/gas station, a pub, a coffee shop and a Chinese restaurant (yeah not really sure what’s up with that one).
I got off the bus and walked around a bit trying to find the cemetery that Dad had told me about. I wasn’t able to, but really wasn’t to concerned. The whole time I was just thinking about how many times my ancestors walked up and down these same roads, on that same place. It was amazing. I stopped in the pub for a pint and to ask directions. I walked in and felt exactly like the ever-present outsider in Irish lit. Everyone Kinda looked at me with this strange little look that said “who on earth is he?” I was sitting at the pub when an old guy at the end of the bar said “cold night” and I said “yeah, yeah it is” and he said “…Are you a Yank?” And our relationship took off from there. I asked him for directions to the two cemeteries and he gave them too me along with a little bit of history.
The cemetery that the Irvin’s are buried in (he said he thought that they would be in a certain one that I can’t remember the name of) is in the churchyard of the oldest serving church in Ireland. We’re also buried in the same burial ground as the O’Neil clan, the old Kings of Ireland.
As it turns out it was to far to walk because the sunset was setting so I wasn’t able to make it out there which made me sad. But I figure I’ll be back soon, and I’ll have adventures in Silverbridge.
His wife walked in and I asked if they knew the Toals. They said yeah that Michael and Margaret lived up the way and their son lived just down the road. They walked me up to the house but they weren’t home. They had built a new house and – I figured that they had knocked down the old family house. Fortunately I was wrong, but I didn’t find out until after dark so I missed out on the house as well.
The family didn’t want me just hanging out for the bus so they took me into their house and we had some tea. I love the Irish. Their names were the Kennedy’s and they were great people. They were really interested in my studies at school and what I thought of “the republic” and “the free state” – I’m thinking they had republican leanings.
The pub actually had been blown up by the IRA after they rushed in and gunned down a 14 year old boy, a man who had just been engaged, a man celebrating the birth of his first daughter as well as his friend. To think that that kind of violence could take place in a town that doesn’t even have a church and to me seemed so peaceful and perfect shocks and horrifies me. With 3,600 dead in the troubles and 1.5 million in NI everyone has a story, each just as heart breaking as the next.
I caught the bus home and stayed the night at my friend Chris’. We made spaghetti which was fantastic. There’s just something about bread, meat, cheese and pasta that makes everything perfect.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Fast Times at the IPA
Well it seems as if the curtain is about to close on my time here in Dublin. It's been great. Leaving all of my new friends behind will be sad, but I have to say that so far I have no regrets about my time spent here.
Last night a few of us went out to for some traditional Irish music, figuring that we'll remember the fun we had more than the time we spent studying for what is going to be a killer finals day tomorrow. It was wonderful. We went to a little seedy pub where these two guys played guitar and a banjo while singing some great Irish songs. Two kids with us - Molly and Chris - knew every word to every song, it was great.
Coming home will be great too. I can't wait to get back just in time for Christmas. Missing everyone tonnes.
My adventures in Europe will be great too. Barcelona, Rome and then back to the Emerald Isle for one more go of it!
Merry Christmas... or should I say Happy Christmas as they do over here.
Last night a few of us went out to for some traditional Irish music, figuring that we'll remember the fun we had more than the time we spent studying for what is going to be a killer finals day tomorrow. It was wonderful. We went to a little seedy pub where these two guys played guitar and a banjo while singing some great Irish songs. Two kids with us - Molly and Chris - knew every word to every song, it was great.
Coming home will be great too. I can't wait to get back just in time for Christmas. Missing everyone tonnes.
My adventures in Europe will be great too. Barcelona, Rome and then back to the Emerald Isle for one more go of it!
Merry Christmas... or should I say Happy Christmas as they do over here.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Night I Met the Future Prime Minister and Made a Fool of My Self
As some of you may know, I have a bit of a reputation for leaving my things places. I even have a facebook group about it. Tonight I lived up to my fame.
I went to a party meeting for Fine Gael who is currently in opposition but will more than likely come to power next election. On my way in I met the party leader Enda Kenny who I've been wanting to meet since I got here. He heard I was from Chicago (I figured I'd go for the familiar). He asked if I'd heard of a Richard Daley, I laughed and said yeah, and then he was like "well I hear you have a new boy... some one some one.... uhhh can't remember his name.....
I said B Something.. Ba ba Barack Obama thats it! And we laughed and headed inside behind him.
The meeting is packed full of constituants. We sit in the corner away from the door. We end up having to leave early to catch the bus. We walk out cause a huge comotion. Get outside and realize I forgot my coat....
I have to go back in, walk past everyone, cause a huge comotion, and walk back out cause a huge comotion right infront of Enda both times....
The second time HE ROLLED HIS EYES AT ME!
I have to say, I've done myself proud, now eve the leader of Fine Gael knows that I leave my stuff EVERYWHERE!
I went to a party meeting for Fine Gael who is currently in opposition but will more than likely come to power next election. On my way in I met the party leader Enda Kenny who I've been wanting to meet since I got here. He heard I was from Chicago (I figured I'd go for the familiar). He asked if I'd heard of a Richard Daley, I laughed and said yeah, and then he was like "well I hear you have a new boy... some one some one.... uhhh can't remember his name.....
I said B Something.. Ba ba Barack Obama thats it! And we laughed and headed inside behind him.
The meeting is packed full of constituants. We sit in the corner away from the door. We end up having to leave early to catch the bus. We walk out cause a huge comotion. Get outside and realize I forgot my coat....
I have to go back in, walk past everyone, cause a huge comotion, and walk back out cause a huge comotion right infront of Enda both times....
The second time HE ROLLED HIS EYES AT ME!
I have to say, I've done myself proud, now eve the leader of Fine Gael knows that I leave my stuff EVERYWHERE!
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