Emerald Isle

May 18, 2012

 This past week my classmates and I actually traveled to Ireland to experience the country we had been studying and researching for the semester.  I think I can speak for the group when I say it was one of the best trips we had ever experienced.  It's not hard to feel extremely fortunate when you get to see a beautiful country with a lot of great people.  On numerous occasions I heard "we are so lucky" and "I can't believe we are here"--so, thank you to everyone that helped us get there.

When I got home, the questions I got from everyone were the same--"what was your favorite part?"  I knew it was coming, but I still didn't have a good answer because I loved all of it.  Instead, I like to think of my experiences to remember why I want to go back:  the folklore and culture, the beautiful landscape, and the people.

The first night we spent in Dublin we had dinner at the Brazen Head Pub.  The food was delicious, but it was also our first real taste of Ireland's culture.  Our storyteller gave us a look at Ireland's history from the perspective of classic Irish folklore.  As in many cultures, folklore was used to explain what otherwise couldn't be explained.  If you respect the fairies, good things will come your way.  That night, as well as our time at Bunratty Castle, we were introduced to some songs and instrumentation common to everyone in Ireland.  Having performed and studied various genres of music in the past, I would have to say that what I heard in Ireland is my favorite.  The pure joy and fun that they are able to express in their music immediately makes you feel like you have become a part of their livelihoods.  

 Musicians at the Brazen Head Pub

Medieval Performers

The landscapes found in Ireland were some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  We spent the week traveling all over the country and it felt like we were seeing something different everyday.  From day to day, we saw the rolling hills patch-worked with fields in various shades of green and then the mountainous areas near the coast.  Of course, there were sheep and cows everywhere.  The Cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula were my favorite places to see during the trip.  If it wasn't so windy and you could guarantee good weather like we experienced, they would be the most relaxing places on earth.

 Boyne River Valley

 Cliffs of Moher

Dingle Peninsula

The people of Ireland are well-worth visiting, too.  It was refreshing to go into a pub and have people genuinely want to know how you are doing.  We may not be comfortable talking to strangers here, but they are.  The whole pub experience is nothing like anything I have experienced here--they just know how to have a good time and make people feel welcome.