Fifth Day

The group of thirty students traveled to Waterford Institute of Technology to meet our professor Seamus O'Dioullin.

Bus Driver: "It looks like a bit of sun!" Dr. Reed: "Yes, but it's supposed to rain later I think." Bus Driver: "Oh, oh yeah, I'm sure it will. Later on tonight, tomorrow.....Thursday, Friday..................Saturday.........Sunday. That's what you get, one day of sun with six months of rain."

Dia duit! That's hello in Gaelic aka Irish. It's pronounced dee-ah whit (and the second word is said with the back of the throat...if I'm describing that right at all). Today I started my Gaelic language class at WIT, but I'm auditing which means I don't have to do homework or tests or anything. Unfortunately, that means I still have to go and sit through class. We've been given full access basically to the campus...except for the food of course (seriously one meal a day for 5 days out of 7 is what we're provided with, and NO meals when we go on trips to Dublin, Berlin, Galway, or any of our own...this is getting ridiculous). But I digress; I'm pretty interested in at least picking up a few terms in the Irish language. Today, in the WIT cafeteria, I was talking to one of the girls from Mercyhurst about how chaotic it was in there, and a few of the people around me stopped and stared, somewhat surprised at my accent. That alone was a new experience.

I would also just like to mention that it was gorgeous and sunny for just over half of the day today before the clouds rolled in. We had our first Ireland rain today, but it really was hardly sprinkling so I don't know if that counts. Ireland is beautiful even when it's gloomy outside, but this morning, with the sun shining, there was a sort of haze across the mountains and the fields. Everything was bright and even more amazing in the sun. Bonus: it was actually warm today, I only had ONE sweatshirt on!

Also, I would just like to note that our bus driver was quite the interesting guy. I didn't really talk to him, instead I eavesdropped on what he was saying, but he was talking about the state of the Irish economy and their political troubles. He also mentioned that he has to pay taxes on his taxes, in other words, when he gets the tax refund from the government, he has to pay taxes out of it. So instead of getting 1,000 back, he only ended up with 460!

For dinner we went to the pub...again! This time I had leek and potato soup with apple pie. It was delicious, of course. I don't think I've had anything here so far that I haven't enjoyed eating.  

For Dr. Reed's Literature class I've been reading Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth. The preface explains (I think, if I'm understanding it right) that people love grand tales. But when they hear these exaggerations, people sometimes miss the truth, and yet, there is some greater truth to be seen in stories. This is especially true for the Irish, and the more that I'm here the more I realize it! I've heard some great stories so far from Pierce the hotel owner and from Tom Keith. This evening the literature class watched Waking Ned Devine, which I've already seen. I really love the movie, but I appreciated it even more being here, and it gave everyone a huge laugh, a good time, which is referred to here as "crack."

After the movie, Sarah, Nikki, Lindsey, Rachel, Emily, Megan and I went to Merry's which was just a few doors down to have a drink. JUST ONE because we have class the next day. It was a "grand" time, and we're tossing around some ideas for our week of free travel at the end of the term. People wanted warm like Barcelona or Italy, but they wanted to see London and Paris as well. So I suggested that maybe we do London and Paris (there's a train between under the English channel) and for warm we go to the Cote d'Azur (the French Riviera)! I'm so excited for the possibilities. Anyway, I've got homework to do, so for now, slan (goodbye)!

Fourth Day

Beginning of classes today, ugh. :)

As it turns out, my blog will actually become part of my assignment for Dr. Reed's Irish Literary Heritage class! Unfortunately, this means my writing will actually be scrutinized and graded. Anyway, I got up early today and got myself to class. I'm taking all three classes: Dr. Peterson's comparative American government (which is nice because I've basically already taken this class), Dr. McFee's ethics in a cross-cultural context, and like I mentioned above, Dr. Reed's class. IT IS A LONG DAY STAYING IN ONE SPOT. The classes are longer here because we end the year early and we have some extra days off and long weekends to travel. Dr. Reed's class is only for the first four weeks though, so hopefully the second half of the term will be easier! For lunch I stopped by Jitterbeans to get some "takeaway;" I got a McJitter Bite panini which is like a hamburger panini. It has gherkins (cucumber/pickle things), Irish-style bacon, onion, beef burger, tomato, and some kind of secret sauce. It was so delicious, but I was honestly tempted by everything on the menu. All of my professors are great, and I already knew Dr. Peterson from an earlier political science class, and he is one of the coolest guys I know.

After a long day of classes I was exhausted but I got myself to the gym. One of the boys who worked there asked Sarah and I how we were getting along, after saying "how're you doing?" which is actually how they say what do you want/need/what would you like. We said we were doing fine, but he knew we must still be trying to get settled, and I told him that so far one of the more difficult parts was figuring out the euros, since there are so many different coins! For dinner, we went to the pub at the Park again. Our vouchers are only worth 12 euro and most of the Irish entrees are worth more than that, but the American food is what is cheaper, so I'm kind of stuck. I realized later that some of the other members of the group had gotten some meals that were worth just a little more than 12 euro and had gotten away with it. Other than that, again, not much happened. Most of my days from now on will be spent in class, but I'm going to Dublin this weekend, so I will hopefully have more to report then!

the "townies": from left, Danielle, Sarah, Nikki, and Lauren

Fun times at the Anchor Bar!

From left: Mackenzie, Suzanne, and my main man Tom Keith from the night before at Merry's. He's wearing the Irish national rugby team jersey. I kid you not, he is an Irishman who has never had a sip of alcohol in his life!

Maire and I at Merry's. I'm drinking Bulmer's Irish Cider and she's drinking the local Dungarvan bitters(?) that's what I heard Dr. Reed call it anyway.

Third Day

Last day of rest before it's back to classes for the MU students.

After a late night last night, I slept in as long as I could since I won't be able to do the same tomorrow! I will be winging it as far as alarm clocks go since the one on my phone from home won't work here and the vodafone I want doesn't get restocked at the store until Tuesday so I'm kinda outta luck. Anyway, the rest of my housemates and I made our way over to the bar at the Park Hotel at about half twelve (aka 12:30) to get some lunch/breakfast. None of us were showered, we threw on some clothes, and when we got there, we realized we were rather underdressed. OH well, nobody complained. You should have seen the menu for lunch; I hardly recognized anything! I'm ready to try new things here and step out of my comfort zone but I'm starting off easy....really easy. I had a potato, carrot, and basil soup with apple pie and tea. The Park has been kind enough to give us one free meal a day with packets of vouchers, worth up to 12 euro. During our lunch, the owner of the hotel, Pierce, stopped by to talk to us several times. He is yet another great guy with a great sense of humor! He asked us all where we were from (he had no idea where the Finger Lakes Region was) and he told us about when he met Maureen O'Hara right in the bar at the Park. Since they'd both lived in Los Angeles/Hollywood for a time, they had something in common to discuss, and she was shocked to find out that Pierce was straight, since she had never met a straight white man who wasn't an actor who lived there.

After my breakfast had settled a little, Sarah and I went to the fully equipped gym at the hotel to work out. When we came back, our housemate Nikki told us that the Irish really do observe the Sabbath for the most part. Nearly everything in town was closed except for Dunnes the larger supermarket. It's pretty gloomy today and rather chilly outside, with a strong wind blowing. When Sarah and I went to the supermarket, the cashier told us that this is the longest time it's gone in Dungarvan without rain for a while, since we've shown up, but it's also the coldest it's been. She asked us how we were coping with it, but we let her know we left a cold and snowy winter back home.

Other than that, there hasn't been much activity, its just another lazy Sunday afternoon. Although I have to say the notebooks here are pretty expensive, which is frustrating since I'd decided not to pack my own. So much for trying to save my money for what really counts, like the booze! (just kidding....). I also have to say that even when it's gloomy, everything is still so green. The buildings are painted all different bright colors, the water that sits in the quay, which is basically right next to my townhouse is a nice blue. The view when you walk out in front of the hotel is amazing because the Comeragh mountains are right there in the backdrop! I'm hoping my classes aren't TOO difficult so I can find some time to hike them.

Just as a final note for today, if anyone has any questions about something in particular here or something I've written about/experienced, or even something I've forgotten to mention, just post a comment or send me an email!

 

Second Day

After finally getting some sleep, 32 Mercyhurst University students get a tour through the town of Dungarvan to get acclimated and are officially welcomed by the town council and the mayor.

Do you know why the symbol of Ireland is a harp? It's because Ireland is run by pulling strings!

- Tom Keith

At 10:00, the students and the professors, led by Dr. Hosey, were given a tour around the town of Dungarvan. It took us a little while to get moving since some of us were already exhausted from the trip and others had a late night at the bar. I and my roommates, as well as most of the rest of the group went to the bar at the Park Hotel right next to our townhouses to celebrate Rachel's 21st birthday. I didn't drink because I was on the verge of passing out anyway without the alcohol added in. Tom Keith stopped by after searching the other pubs to find us and he told us about a student that had many years ago studied abroad in Ireland in Dungarvan. A police officer or guard, as they're called, gave him the money for a flight home when he'd run out. After, that student established a company in the U.S. called Dungarvin. After hanging out with the group, I went back to get some rest!

Within our 5 minute walk radius there are about 10 or so pubs, nearly just as many pharmacies, shops, and plenty of places to eat. She took us by the quay (pronounced key) where the water was rushing back out into the bay. When we were done with our tour, the group was brought to the town's civic offices to be welcomed by the town council. We took several group photos, and the mayor specifically mentioned my name in his speech because it is clearly an Irish last name, and he said those of us should see this as a homecoming. In fact, that's pretty much how I see it. From what I've seen so far of the countryside, it reminds me a lot of upstate NY.

Following the introduction, we were treated to some food, MORE TEA, and some Irish step dancers (unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me at the time). There, I talked a little bit to some of the sisters of mercy who had come to welcome us. Later, Dr. Hosey brought us to the library to get our library cards, and we also got cards for Jitterbean's, a nice place to order food from. We had already gotten food last night from there, so I'm especially grateful they gave us the cards, plus a free coffee, plus a discount!

culture shock! It was overwhelming to try and shop for groceries today. The typical brands are no longer the cheapest, and I have no idea which local ones to trust. Apparently if you want peanut butter you have to make sure it is made American-style because the local peanut butter is completely different. I spent all day wandering around trying to get used to the place. I ate lunch at the bagel bar...the Irish seem to have sausage for breakfast lunch and dinner which is really bad I think. Don't get me wrong, I love me some sausage, but I don't want my cholesterol to be at like 675.

Later, Dr. Hosey invited the entire group to Merry's pub to have some hors d'oeuvres and a round or two on her. I, personally, am not really a fan of beer in general. It's nasty tasting to me. But Bulmer's Irish Cider is a good substitute, and it's a new favorite. It's a lot cheaper than other drinks! After hanging around Merry's and talking with Tom for a while (he is my new favorite person, he's like a grandpa), we all went to the Anchor Bar. The Anchor is a pub for the younger generation and it's nice because there's room to dance and the mixed drinks actually aren't as highly priced as some of the other pubs I've been to so far. I danced plenty and now I'm off to hang out with my house-mates! Slainte!

unveiling the new dungarvan sign

 

Joe O'Flaherty visited the pub while the rest of us visited the castle, and treated us with a lovely song.

kilkenny castle

First Day

After a long grueling 7 hour layover plus a 7 hour flight, I finally made it to Ireland.

Three statements that should never be trusted when said by an Irishman:

1) The meeting will start at 8 o' clock

2) Your check is in the post

3) We'll only have one more drink

- Tom Keith

An overtired, excited, multi-tasking, distracted, bedraggled group of college students arrive at an airport. Instantly, there's flashing of cameras and shouting and people dressed up in medals. But really, this is no joke.

 I was shocked to walk out of the gate today and find a group of three men standing there waiting to welcome us. What was more shocking was that one appeared to be wearing some elaborate thick golden necklace, another was jumping and shaking a sign that read Mercyhurst University, and the last, the eldest, was moving around snapping pictures left and right. Dr. Hosey, the woman who essentially coordinates the Ireland spring term warned us that we would be facing quite the welcome wagon. She also told us that the arrival of the Mercyhurst students every year was big news for Dungarvan, in county Waterford (pronounced done-gar-vin, but in Gaelic, it is dune-gar-vahn, "dun" meaning fort, as in fort of garvan), but that doesn't necessarily mean I believed her. Instantly we were whisked away onto a bus, where Tom Keith, an older, gray-haired man into his second year of retirement from lord-knows-what began to speak over the PA system (see above quote).

 We then traveled to Bewley's Hotel, right near where a woman was assassinated (a woman named Veronica, because of something having to do with the Irish gangs) according to Damien Geoghegan, the substitute mayor of Dungarvan? I ask this question because I'm really not sure. We did end up meeting the actual mayor, and that was when Damien transferred his fancy golden necklace over. At Bewley's I had my first real Irish breakfast consisting of essentially 4 different ways of preparing meat: sausage, rashers (bacon...which was cooked more like sliced ham at the holidays), and black and white pudding, which, as you may have either guessed or already known, is NOT pudding. Of course there was also potatoes as well as eggs and toast. The food was very hearty, which was good, because our day was far from over.

Keep in mind, that I had already lost essentially two nights sleep, so it is safe to say that come breakfast time in Ireland, I was exhausted. Out of the two options, coffee or tea, neither one being my favorite, I have quickly adopted tea for my caffeine-kick. The coffee here is so strong and so bitter I feel like no amount of flavoring (which has thus far not been an option) or sugar could save it. Tea, on the other hand, can be enhanced with a couple heaping spoonfuls of sugar, or three, or four, and dipping the biscuits in was delicious. Mr. Geoghegan also informed me that you could instantly tell an American from the Irish because of the way Americans hold their forks up while eating as if shoveling food into their mouth, whereas the Irish hold their fork upside down. I practiced this, but haven't yet gotten the hang of it.

After breakfast we  began the two and a half hour journey from Dublin to Dungarvan, but we made some stops in between. I struggled to keep my eyes open even for a second on the bus because I was told by Drs. Hosey and Reed that the jet lag is worse when you try to sleep it off during the daytime rather than at night. Mr. Keith took us to the city of Kilkenny, where we visited St. Canice's Cathedral. The cathedral is home to one of several Black Friars' Towers in Ireland, the youngest of which is 1000 years old. This one tower in particular dates back to the time of the Vikings' arrival in Ireland (9th century AD). Mr. Keith explained that the tower was used as a place of refuge as well as a bell tower. There were also several tombstones surrounding the cathedral, but they were all so old, that the writing was almost completely erased. He also elaborated on Ireland's history (protestant british v. irish catholic, the penal laws, etc.) According to Mr. Keith, one of the greatest Irishmen of all time was the lawyer Daniel O'Connell, also known as the Liberator. Keith went on to state that he was also a man about town and at one time, one could not "throw a stone in Ireland without hitting a child of O'Connell's."

As the weather swiftly grew colder, we were brought to Kilkenny Castle, established by the Normans who arrived in Ireland in the 12th century. It would soon fall into the hands of the Butler family who remained in residence for approximately 600 years after. It was built at the top of a hill for obvious defensive reasons, but its positioning on the Nore River ensured its dominance. The castle, of course, was gorgeous. Interesting fact, the Normans that settled in Ireland adopted last names according to their occupation, for example: the Butlers, the Marshals, the Cooks.

 So now I am settled in my townhouse at the Park Hotel in Dungarvan, and posting in this blog. Sorry if it's too lengthy, let me know and I can try to cut down, but this is also serving as a journal for myself on the trip. I've already missed writing down so much other important things from today, so I need this thing!