January 24th

Horse Ride

Going through Killarney Park

The water was so still the mountain reflection looks fake!

Ross Castle

The town of Kenmare

     Started the day off with a carriage ride through Killarne park.  Apparently this is where all the lepercons live, unfortunately I didn't see any!  Although it was pretty and scenic riding around on the carriage, I was freezing!  We stopped at Ross Castle which was pretty cool to see.  After the ride, we got in the bus and drove all through the National Park of Killarne. 
     Once we returned to the hotel we have a conversation with a young Irish film maker, and one of his sponsors, Father Pat Moore.  We had an interesting conversation about life and the way it should be lived.  The underlying meaning was don't hesitate with life and don't be afraid to take on new challenges as your life will be over before you know it.  Father Moore was very interesting and his words really made you think about how you live your days on earth. Some of the quotes he gave us are...

"Never abandon an old friend, You will never find one who can take his place."  
"Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows old."
"Free your heart from hatred, Free your mind from worries, Live simply, Give more and demand less, Expect miracles in life."

January 23rd

Iced over river

Interesting bridge

Father Tom's Uncle

   
     Killarney is our new destination, but before we get there we are stopping in Lyrecrompane, which is the home of Father Toms father, and 20 miles from where his mother was born and raised.  We met some of his family out in the bog.  They taught us how turf is made, along with the strategic methods of drying it out in time for the winter season.  Ireland is still a country very much dependent on their turf.  For those that don't know what turf is, it is simply mud that is dug out from the ground and then dried which allows the moisture to air out, and it leaves you with a dark log looking piece of mud.  Mainly back in the history of Ireland this was a very vigorous job, and most people today have machines that can cut the mud into perfect pieces.  Unlike America, where we have an abundance of trees, gas, and other heating products, turf has been a great method for using the environment to create heat and energy.  A lot of Irish families, including my own, actually own their own bog where they can make turf from.  When I was talking to Sean Feeney, he was explaining to me that on their land they own a bog where they have machines to make turf for the winter.  If you have ever been to Ireland, you hopefully have an idea of the smell of burning turf and I actually really liked it.  

   After walking through the bog we headed to the parish center where we experienced the delights of country cooking from Father Tom's family.  Lastly we headed to our hotel downtown Killarney.  The town looks like a great town as there are horse buggies in front of our hotel.  I can't wait to explore the town tomorrow! goodnight  

January 21st & 22nd

Portal Tomb

Kid's School

Bowling

Under 15 group.

   

     January 21st was a free day in Galway.  It felt great to finally have a day to sleep in!  I was able to walk around Galway's shop street and buy some gifts for people.  A group of us ended up going to see the movie Dilemma(I don't recommend it), but it was really nice to relax instead of more walking tours.  Later that night we went bowling at a little bowling alley in town.  I found it interesting that they didn't make us rent bowling shoes.  Also, the pins were attached to strings and looked like little puppets when the frame would reset.

    January 22nd we had our bags packed and loaded on the bus early in the morning to leave for the City and County of Limerick.  Along the way we stopped and looked at the Poulnabrone Portal Tomb.  We only spend one night in Limerick.  In the evening we went to a local pub that had musicians organized by Father Tom's cousin.  There were many different groups of kids, all playing or signing the traditional Irish music.  Along with people playing Irish music, there were also Irish dancers.  These kids were incredibly talented and I found a liking to the Irish music.  They wouldn't let us leave without learning the Irish dances, because of this I have the dances perfected!

January 20th- Walking around Galway

The group

Me trying to be creative

Eyre Square

Shop Street.

That's what I can an Irish haircut!

     

     Woke up early to have class before we took a walking tour of Galway.  Like I said before, Galway is an amazing town with mostly young people.  The University of Galway is located near the downtown area, so all the stores and restaurants are always filled with people.  There is a street called shop street where it is only open to pedestrians and is full of great shops and pubs.  Other than walking around Galway we had the rest of the day to ourselves.  I went into some shops and bought gifts for people and believe it or not, I ate at my first McDonald's in Ireland.  I was actually very surprised at how much nicer the McDonald's are in Ireland than in the States.  After walking around the town I went back to the hotel and had a relaxing evening making it an early night.    

January 19th- Galway

Inside of Ballintubber Abbey

Ballintubber Abbey

Knock Shrine

My cousin Fionnuala and I

At the Front Door Bar.

    On our way from Westport to Galway we stopped at Ballintubber Abbey.  The church and cemetary has been around for nearly 800 years.  From Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick is an ancient pilgrimage path that is still used today.  Once a year people will walk 22 miles to Crough Patrick and then hike the mountain!  After, we got back on the bus and headed to Knock Shrine.  Knock Shrine is a major Catholic pilgrimage site in the village of Knock, where it is claimed there was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1879.

      Finally we arrived in Galway.  This town is awesome, tons of college students all over the place and the atmosphere is like no other town in Ireland.  If I could move to any town in Ireland it would definitely be Galway.  I met my cousin Fionnuala and her boyfriend for dinner downtown Galway where we enjoyed great Italian food and wine.  After dinner we went to a pub called The Front Door.  We got there early enough to get some seats where we enjoyed music, drinks and catching up with one another.  It felt good when Fionnuala said I must have some Irish in me by the way I was keeping up at the pub.  After a great night I headed back to the hotel to sleep like a baby. Goodnight  

January 18th-Westport

St. Patrick with Crough Patrick in the background.

Finally made it to the top!

View from the top of the mountain.

St. Patricks church on top of the mountain.

Inside of church.

Erik, Sean, and myself at Matt Molloy's

Sean and I

    Woke up early today in hope that the skies were blue and we received the green light to climb Crough Patrick.  Fortunately, it was a beautiful day and before you knew it we were on our way to the mountain.  The mountain was very steep and the rocks were loose and slippery.  Hiking up the mountain took about 2 hours and by the time I got to the top I was exhausted.  I felt like I did two hours of the stair master machine.  At the top of the mountain there was ice and frost all over the ground, and the temperature felt as if it changed 20 degrees.  St. Patrick's church is on the top of the mountain, 2,510 feet majestically above Clew Bay.  There is said to be 365 little islands in Clew Bay, one for every day of the year.  Every year the last Sunday in July (Reek Sunday), Mass is celebrated every half hour on the summit. Depending on weather, up to 25,000 people climb the mountain, some to look but most to pray, with some pilgrims climbing barefoot. 

    Later that night my cousin Sean Feeney picked me up from my hotel and took me back to his house to meet more of the family.  There I met Brian, Edel, and Mary.  Then we went to Sean's brothers house, Chris, to see even more family!  Chris is battling cancer, and just got over the swine flu.  For being so sick, he looked very good and was full of good spirits and fun to talk to.  Of course, each house I went to they were stuffing my face with food and drinks!  After seeing all the family Sean and I went down to his office, which is located inside the GAA stadium.  I toured the stadium and he gave me an authentic GAA jersey!  This day probably sounds like the longest and most tiring day, but in all fairness I don't know the next time I'll be back to Ireland, so we headed down into Westport to Matt Molloy's pub for a drink, or two, or three...  Needless to say we had a great time talking about all the family on both sides and we enjoyed many drinks, one I became more familiar with is Jameson on the rocks with water.  Finally after a never ending, but excellent day, the bar kicked us out because they had to close.  This was a great day.      

January 17th

Coast Line.

Ceide Fields

 

      Today was more of a travel day.  We left Donegal and headed to Westport.  On our way to Westport we stopped and took pictures of the coast, along with visiting Ceide Fields in County Mayo.  Ceide Fields is occupied by remains of stone walled fields, houses, and megalithic tombs that date back to 5000 years ago.  Needless to say, we were looking at rocks for two hours.  After looking at the mystical and exciting rocks(joke), we headed to the Clew Bay Hotel downtown Westport.  When I arrived at the hotel, my cousin Ger was waiting for me in the hotel lobby.  We drove back to his parents house for a feast with some of the family.  Having a home cooked meal was much needed.  We had meat, potatoes(mashed and sliced), vegetables, bread and gravy!  We enjoyed bottles of wine throughout dinner, and I also had my first true Irish coffee.  Also, Tony gave me some of his homemade moonshine.  Man that stuff was strong! Tomorrow I am hiking Crough Patrick so I didn't want to get too out of hand.  After the drinks and desert it was off to bed out in the country.