On Friday several students took advantage of the opportunity we had to visit Beaumont Hospital and the Irish Nurses Organization, both in Dublin. Susan Hawshaw, RN reviewed the health care delivery system in Ireland(operated and funded by the government) and then shared with us information about Beaumont Hospital. It is a 600 plus bed hospital and is a regional and national center for excellence for several disciplines. Susan shared with us the difficulties of the health care delivery system in Ireland, financing and waiting lists being the top two problems. She spoke of the 50 patients waiting in the emergency room for a bed, and the efforts of the physicians to discharge patients to be able to accomodate the "backlog".
Two main factors seem to contribute to the waiting lists: lack of long term care and lack of high tech home care services. Many beds in hosptals are filled with the elderly waiting for placement. There are very few nursing homes in Ireland. They are also working to develop more home care services. For example, home IV therapy is not currently available here. Average length of stay in Beaumont Hospital is over 10 days. That is more than double what we would expect to see in the U.S.
We then visited the Irish Nurses Organization (INO). Philip McAnenly RN (Industrial Relations Officer) and two students shared with us the workings of the organization as it advocates for nurses and patients in this system. This organization represents nurses throughout Ireland, although membership is optional. Many issues were presented. One student commented that both organizations strive for the same thing...the best health care and good working conditions for those working in health care. The perspectives were a bit different, but the goals the same.
The Irish health care delivery system has many of the same problems we are experiencing...staffing, financial difficulties, quality of care, access for all.... It is very interesting to compare and contrast the two systems.
Saturday has been spent finishing up last minute shopping and packing (or shopping for more suitcases for packing).
We will be returning to Elmira College Sunday. Many of you will receive phone calls as we land at JFK. Our flight is scheduled to leave Ireland at 10:30 am. That puts us in NYC around 11:30 am (MAGIC!). We don't know how long it will take to get through Customs, get to our bus, traverse the Cross Bronx Expressway and George Washington Bridge to get to interstates 80 and then home. We will try to post more pictures later this week.
Thanks to Laura Marsh for being the IT consultant and getting pictures and albums posted. We hope you have enjoyed sharing our journey around the Emerald Isle. Students will present their perspectives of the trip this week in class in powerpoint presentations and papers. It should be interesting. It has been quite a learning experience. We have all learned a great deal more about Ireland.
Slan abhaile!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday
Today we began our journey back to Dublin. We visited the site of the Battle of the Boyne fought on July 1, 1690. William of Orange was successful in defeating the Catholic King James (???), maintaining British rule in Northern Ireland. It was interesting to view the war strategy via a simulated light show.
We then visited Newgrange in Meath, passage tombs built between 3300 and 2900 BC. These structures are older than the Giza pyramids and Stonehenge. The "technology" used to build these structures was incredible. It is amazing to think of the work of humans that many years ago. We all had the opportunity to go into the structure and experience a simulation of the light shining in only during the winter solstice. Amazing!
We then visited Newgrange in Meath, passage tombs built between 3300 and 2900 BC. These structures are older than the Giza pyramids and Stonehenge. The "technology" used to build these structures was incredible. It is amazing to think of the work of humans that many years ago. We all had the opportunity to go into the structure and experience a simulation of the light shining in only during the winter solstice. Amazing!
Wednesday
We started the day in a very somber fashion by visiting the memorial to those who died on January 30, 1972, Bloody Sunday. On this day 13 people were killed by British troops in Derry. The 14th person died later from injuries. Peace murals at the end of buildings depict the Troubles.... Annette McGavigan, a 14 year old girl gunned down in 1971 on her way to the pool (the soldier said it was thought that the towel over her shoulder was a bomb). Several other murals can be seen in the albums depicting Bernadette Devlin and Bobby Sands. Another memorial recognized those who died in hunger strikes in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. We noted some graffitti indicating that some very strong feelings still remain. In one neighborhood and Irish flags were noted on one side of the street, while the flag of England was flown on the other side of the street.
Derry was a very different city from those we have seen on this trip. Driving through the city at 8:00 in the evening saw most store fronts covered with metal barriers or gates. There was very little activity and tourists were not seen. The history of the city has had such an impact on today. We were welcomed in the restaurants and everyone was very nice. However, there was a stark contrast between Derry and the cities we visited in Ireland.
What was seen today will not and should not be forgotten. Many reading this blog probably remember hearing about the Troubles in the 60s and 70s. Although it did not take long, visiting these sites was sobering.
We then traveled to Armaugh and visited the two cathedrals named after St. Patrick, one of the Church of Ireland, and the other the Catholic cathedral. The oldest cathedral, founded by St. Patrick in 445 AD, houses several sculptures from the Celtic and Iron Ages. Brian Boru is said to be buried here. This church fell victim to destruction over the centuries and has been rebuilt. Construction on the Catholic cathedral began in 1840, but the cathedral was not completed until 1904. The stained glass windows and mosaic tiles are beautiful. We also visited St. Patrick's Trian which reviewed some history of Ireland and St. Patrick, and reviewed Jonothan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
Derry was a very different city from those we have seen on this trip. Driving through the city at 8:00 in the evening saw most store fronts covered with metal barriers or gates. There was very little activity and tourists were not seen. The history of the city has had such an impact on today. We were welcomed in the restaurants and everyone was very nice. However, there was a stark contrast between Derry and the cities we visited in Ireland.
What was seen today will not and should not be forgotten. Many reading this blog probably remember hearing about the Troubles in the 60s and 70s. Although it did not take long, visiting these sites was sobering.
We then traveled to Armaugh and visited the two cathedrals named after St. Patrick, one of the Church of Ireland, and the other the Catholic cathedral. The oldest cathedral, founded by St. Patrick in 445 AD, houses several sculptures from the Celtic and Iron Ages. Brian Boru is said to be buried here. This church fell victim to destruction over the centuries and has been rebuilt. Construction on the Catholic cathedral began in 1840, but the cathedral was not completed until 1904. The stained glass windows and mosaic tiles are beautiful. We also visited St. Patrick's Trian which reviewed some history of Ireland and St. Patrick, and reviewed Jonothan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
Tuesday
We first visited to Ulster American Folk Park in Armaugh. Here we were able to experience what life was like at people prepared to travel from Ireland to America. The conditions in Ireland were reviewed. We passed through one of the "coffin ships" and saw the deplorable conditions. We then experienced life in the U.S. Reenactments were done and all parts of our "journey". We sat in a one room school house with a teacher who taught us the value of discipline and order. Some of our group was "late" for class. One student in particular had to go to the front of the room and was "scolded" in front of us all. "Getting lost" was not deemed a good enough reason for being late. Something about not being smart.... or something like that. None of us will ever be late again!
In the afternoon we traveled to the north east coast of Northern Ireland. The words magnificent, awesome and breathtaking cannot adequately describe the coast. Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge were incredibly interesting and beautiful. Most students braved the rope bridge as you can see from the pictures. The guide at the bridge said it had almost been closed earlier in the day, as winds rose to 38 mph (children were prohibited from crossing earlier in the day...comforting thought). The bridge is closed at 40 mph. For some of us, the thought of walking a tight rope (well, not really, but....) was just too much, and we willingly took pictures. Rock ledges, water crashing against the shore, wind gusts and a rope bridge just wasn't a good combination.
We returned to Derry for dinner around 7:00 and then retired for the night.
In the afternoon we traveled to the north east coast of Northern Ireland. The words magnificent, awesome and breathtaking cannot adequately describe the coast. Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge were incredibly interesting and beautiful. Most students braved the rope bridge as you can see from the pictures. The guide at the bridge said it had almost been closed earlier in the day, as winds rose to 38 mph (children were prohibited from crossing earlier in the day...comforting thought). The bridge is closed at 40 mph. For some of us, the thought of walking a tight rope (well, not really, but....) was just too much, and we willingly took pictures. Rock ledges, water crashing against the shore, wind gusts and a rope bridge just wasn't a good combination.
We returned to Derry for dinner around 7:00 and then retired for the night.
Friday, May 15, 2009
More Pictures!
Trying to catch up on the pictures of the places we went when we were without consistant internet access. Here are some albums, with more to come!
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| Carrick-a-rede rope bridge |
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| Derry |
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| Marble Arch Caves |
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| giant's causeway |
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday...Back in Dublin
We have arrived safely in Dublin and are back at the Maple House. Today we traveled to the site of the Battle of the Boyne and Newgrange. Newgrange is a site dated before the pyramids! More details and pictures will follow, but it is now late. Many of you have probably heard from us. Oh, to have phone and internet access again!
Friday and Saturday are days to catch up on the sites we did not see two weeks ago. Some will visit Beaumont Hospital and the Irish Nurses Organization to get a first hand look at the health care delivery system here. Then we return to E.C. on Sunday.
Again, more information will follow. It is good to be back in touch!
Friday and Saturday are days to catch up on the sites we did not see two weeks ago. Some will visit Beaumont Hospital and the Irish Nurses Organization to get a first hand look at the health care delivery system here. Then we return to E.C. on Sunday.
Again, more information will follow. It is good to be back in touch!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday May 11
We have arrived safely in Derry after a lengthy trip. We visited Marble Caves ( similar to Howe's Caverns for those from New York). We were deep underground, but all came up and were accounted for.
We are staying at a lovely mansion, but is has essentially no internet access and no local phones or internet cafes for our use. The next three days will be very busy as we visit key sites in and around Derry. Some of the sites will be very sobering, and incredibly interesting. If you do not hear much from us, it is because we are very busy, which is always a good thing. We will post notes and pictures when we can, and definitely when we return to Dublin.
We are staying at a lovely mansion, but is has essentially no internet access and no local phones or internet cafes for our use. The next three days will be very busy as we visit key sites in and around Derry. Some of the sites will be very sobering, and incredibly interesting. If you do not hear much from us, it is because we are very busy, which is always a good thing. We will post notes and pictures when we can, and definitely when we return to Dublin.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Today we had a very busy day with visits to several sites. The day started with a trip to Celtic Crystal, an export company which is owned and operated by an Irish family. All crystal made on site is related in some way to Irish history. The owner is the sole designer of all the crystal. The themes are the claddaugh, religion, the great hunger and Celtic design (from the Book of Kells). You can see from the pictures the beauty of the pieces made. We were treated to a demonstration of the crystal actually being engraved. The master engravers are required to serve at least seven years as apprentices before they become "masters". The company's owner recently did shows in Syracuse and Albany and has had pieces commissioned around the world.
Our next stop was Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful site with a Church and an incredible mansion. It had functioned as a boarding school, but this is no longer the case.
We then traveled to Crough Patrick, the site where St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. A church has been build on the top of a mountain in honor of this. A challenge was issued by a member of the group, indicating that the treck up the mountainside was meant for St. Patrick (in barefeet), and that St. Bridget did not make the journey. To several others in the group, this meant that women were not capable to making the journey so......... although we only had an hour, several of us walked up to the first tier. The pictures in the album show the incredible view from that point. It takes at least 2 or 3 hours to make the treck to the top, so that just was not possible today. Perhaps the next time we visit we can make a day of it...... and demonstrate that ANYONE can make it to the top.
The students are working diligently on their journals and organizing their papers which will be presented on our return to Elmira. It is hard to believe that two weeks have passed. We are off to Derry on Monday, so more information about our travels will continue as the internet is available.
A Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who fills in as "Mom". We miss you and are thinking of you.
Our next stop was Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful site with a Church and an incredible mansion. It had functioned as a boarding school, but this is no longer the case.
We then traveled to Crough Patrick, the site where St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. A church has been build on the top of a mountain in honor of this. A challenge was issued by a member of the group, indicating that the treck up the mountainside was meant for St. Patrick (in barefeet), and that St. Bridget did not make the journey. To several others in the group, this meant that women were not capable to making the journey so......... although we only had an hour, several of us walked up to the first tier. The pictures in the album show the incredible view from that point. It takes at least 2 or 3 hours to make the treck to the top, so that just was not possible today. Perhaps the next time we visit we can make a day of it...... and demonstrate that ANYONE can make it to the top.
The students are working diligently on their journals and organizing their papers which will be presented on our return to Elmira. It is hard to believe that two weeks have passed. We are off to Derry on Monday, so more information about our travels will continue as the internet is available.
A Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers, grandmothers and anyone who fills in as "Mom". We miss you and are thinking of you.
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| celtic crystal factory |
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| kylemore abby |
Friday, May 8, 2009
Finally Pictures
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| Dublin 4/27 |
Pictures are finally here! click on the single pictures to see the full albums. They are rather jumbled and some are not captioned, but we are still figuring this blogging thing out. Enjoy!
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| Dublin |
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| Elmira College Ireland 09 |
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| Fields of Athenry and Conmacnoise |
Thank Goodness for better weather today! We visited the Fields of Athenry, where St. Mary's stone church has been transformed into a historical information center. We were given a tour, and lots of information about how life was like in medieval Ireland. Our tour guide seemed to enjoy seeing us cringe as he explained how each weapon or device of torture could be used. Two of our students helped demonstrate the "Love Bracelet," a kind of movable twin set of stocks, where rivaling enemies were forced to stay attached by the neck and hands until they could resolve their issues. We were provided with medieval costumes, which resulted in some spectacular photo ops! Back in our own clothes, we headed out to the archery range, where Team Stephens beat Team Margie by around 1000 points.
Our second stop of the day was Conmacnoise, an old monestary and graveyard. We explored the ruines of old churches and round towers, and wandered through the beautiful celtic cross headstones. Some had been moved inside the visitor's center to protect them from weather and vandelism. Altogethor a satisfactory day for all. Look forward to more pictures in the future!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
It has been another busy 3 days, traveling from Tralee to Limerick and landing in Galway for 5 more nights. On Monday we traveled to Adare and Bunratty Castle. Tuesday we saw the Cliffs of Moher. Breathtaking is the only way to describe the sites. Everyone stayed far enough "from the edge" so as not to give anyone a heart attack. We arrived in Galway on Tuesday and are staying at Kinlay House Hostel. It will be a great place to be for 6 nights.
On Wednesday we traveled to the Aran Islands. It was a rocky (or should we say wavy) trip out, with quite rough seas. Several people on the boat turned a bit "green". We have decided that the back of the boat is the best place to sit, and of course, a window seat to keep an eye on the horizon! An explanation was offered as to the science behind the size of a wave. Most were more interested in getting a cracker or two to ease the distress. The weather was cool and rainy, but interesting. The island of Inis Mor is the largest, and has over 4,000 miles of stone fences. Between 800 and 900 people live on the island. It has its own schools, one physician, two nurses and a clinic. Most who live on the island also work there with tourism being the major industry. Our trek to Dun Aonghasa was very interesting. There are sharp cliffs with water crashing all around. It was important that the strong winds were blowing in from the ocean. The power of the ocean was in full view today. AWESOME. Some students found places to take pictures "over the edge" out of the site of those who might like to discourage that type of activity. All students were accounted for at the end of the day. INCREDIBLE!
Thursday is a day to explore the city of Galway. Thursday evening we will all go out for an evening of Irish food and music. Friday to Athenry and Clonmacnoise. More to follow then.
On Wednesday we traveled to the Aran Islands. It was a rocky (or should we say wavy) trip out, with quite rough seas. Several people on the boat turned a bit "green". We have decided that the back of the boat is the best place to sit, and of course, a window seat to keep an eye on the horizon! An explanation was offered as to the science behind the size of a wave. Most were more interested in getting a cracker or two to ease the distress. The weather was cool and rainy, but interesting. The island of Inis Mor is the largest, and has over 4,000 miles of stone fences. Between 800 and 900 people live on the island. It has its own schools, one physician, two nurses and a clinic. Most who live on the island also work there with tourism being the major industry. Our trek to Dun Aonghasa was very interesting. There are sharp cliffs with water crashing all around. It was important that the strong winds were blowing in from the ocean. The power of the ocean was in full view today. AWESOME. Some students found places to take pictures "over the edge" out of the site of those who might like to discourage that type of activity. All students were accounted for at the end of the day. INCREDIBLE!
Thursday is a day to explore the city of Galway. Thursday evening we will all go out for an evening of Irish food and music. Friday to Athenry and Clonmacnoise. More to follow then.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
We have had a busy 3 days.
Friday was our trip to Blarney Castle, a once in a lifetime experience.....because noone in their right mind would walk up more than once! The castle, built in the 15th century, was incredible with a winding staircase of stone. The farther one went up, the narrower the steps became. Many of the group climbed the castle stairs, kissed the stone (or pretended too... or were too scared to really do it), then scurried down a separate set of circular stone stairs. Various rooms were noted on the way up and down the steps. One can only try to imagine what it must have been like to live there.
The structure was incredible. The grounds surrounding the castle were beautiful as well. That the knowledge was available at that time, and that the structure still stands is more than amazing. The castles we have seen have varied in size. We have even seem some for sale. Restoration must comply with government standards so it would be an expensive undertaking.
We also visited the site where, on August 22, 1922, Michael Collins was ambushed and murdered outside of Cork. It is believed he was murdered by those not in favor of the treaty with the British. However, with the exchange of gunfire, he was the only one shot. Noone really knows the truth. Watching the movie Michael Collins helps to clarify what was going on in Ireland at the time. Collins was shot at a time when Ireland was engaged in civil war, something we do not hear much about.
Friday afternoon was the Queenstown Experience where we reviewed the experience of the emigrants from Ireland. Cobh was the port that many of the Irish left from to go to the U.S., Canada and Australia. We learned about the convict ships to Australia and the deplorable conditions there (worse than those of the Irish going to America, which was really quite bad on the famine ships). There was also information on the Titanic. Cobh was its last port of call before its fateful journey.
On Saturday we traveled to Tralee via Killarney National Park. We then traveled on the Ring of Kerry and saw Ross Castle. The scenery is incredible. Of interest is the variety of plants and trees that one sees here. We see maple trees, magnolia trees, rhodedendron, crab apple trees and PALM trees. That was very surprising (to us anyway). With a climate that rarely goes over 70 degrees or under 32 degrees, a wide variety of plants survive and thrive.
Sunday was a tour of Dingle Peninsula. We stopped at a beach and saw the Atlantic Ocean. The windy narrow roads were ever present along with steep cliffs. Stone walls separate some of the fields from many years ago. Beehive structures made of stone were along the route. These were build in 2000 BC, and were used by monks for prayer and retreat. Austere to say the least. Several structures still stand.
Monday we are off to Limerick and Bunratty Castle. So much more to see and learn.
Friday was our trip to Blarney Castle, a once in a lifetime experience.....because noone in their right mind would walk up more than once! The castle, built in the 15th century, was incredible with a winding staircase of stone. The farther one went up, the narrower the steps became. Many of the group climbed the castle stairs, kissed the stone (or pretended too... or were too scared to really do it), then scurried down a separate set of circular stone stairs. Various rooms were noted on the way up and down the steps. One can only try to imagine what it must have been like to live there.
The structure was incredible. The grounds surrounding the castle were beautiful as well. That the knowledge was available at that time, and that the structure still stands is more than amazing. The castles we have seen have varied in size. We have even seem some for sale. Restoration must comply with government standards so it would be an expensive undertaking.
We also visited the site where, on August 22, 1922, Michael Collins was ambushed and murdered outside of Cork. It is believed he was murdered by those not in favor of the treaty with the British. However, with the exchange of gunfire, he was the only one shot. Noone really knows the truth. Watching the movie Michael Collins helps to clarify what was going on in Ireland at the time. Collins was shot at a time when Ireland was engaged in civil war, something we do not hear much about.
Friday afternoon was the Queenstown Experience where we reviewed the experience of the emigrants from Ireland. Cobh was the port that many of the Irish left from to go to the U.S., Canada and Australia. We learned about the convict ships to Australia and the deplorable conditions there (worse than those of the Irish going to America, which was really quite bad on the famine ships). There was also information on the Titanic. Cobh was its last port of call before its fateful journey.
On Saturday we traveled to Tralee via Killarney National Park. We then traveled on the Ring of Kerry and saw Ross Castle. The scenery is incredible. Of interest is the variety of plants and trees that one sees here. We see maple trees, magnolia trees, rhodedendron, crab apple trees and PALM trees. That was very surprising (to us anyway). With a climate that rarely goes over 70 degrees or under 32 degrees, a wide variety of plants survive and thrive.
Sunday was a tour of Dingle Peninsula. We stopped at a beach and saw the Atlantic Ocean. The windy narrow roads were ever present along with steep cliffs. Stone walls separate some of the fields from many years ago. Beehive structures made of stone were along the route. These were build in 2000 BC, and were used by monks for prayer and retreat. Austere to say the least. Several structures still stand.
Monday we are off to Limerick and Bunratty Castle. So much more to see and learn.
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