Thursday, April 30, 2009
We have made it to Cobh and have free wireless here at the The Commodore Hotel. We had an interesting trip to Cobh (pronounced "Cove"). For those who have not visited Ireland, the tales people tell about the narrow roads are more than true. It is a good thing that drivers are patient (or at least what we have seen so far). Our tour guide and bus driver Phalen is amazing maneuvering the roads.
First of all, EVERYONE was ready, with suitcases packed, by 8:00 am as planned. Actually, everyone even made it to breakfast. It was VERY impressive (keep in mind that there were four students to one room - with one bathroom)! We are traveling on a very comfortable coach bus. Our first stop about an hour outside Dublin was Glendalough, a monastery site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. It was beautiful.
Our second stop was Rock of Cashel, which was an impressive castle. An interesting site there was Skully Monument. St. Patrick reportedly visited Cashel, so we walked in his footsteps (and that is our story!)
Tomorrow we go to Blarney Castle. Hmmmm, the "gift" of gab..... Should anyone be restricted from kissing the Blarney Stone? We will also do the Queenstown Experience in Cobh which will reivew the Titanic and the emmigration from Ireland. Many of our ancestors sailed from Cobh as they sought a better life in the US, Canada and Australia. There is also a MASSIVE cathedral on the hill behind our hotel. We will tour that tomorrow also.
Our tour guide is from Limerick so he is very knowledgeable and is suggesting other sites to see. Our trip continues to be exciting and interesting.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
We have had three busy days. On Monday we were treated to a walking tour by Larkin who was PASSIONATE about Ireland's history and independence from England. We started our tour at Trinity College. We learned about the "window tax", and saw it first hand with the lack of windows in the Bank of Ireland. We saw Dublin Castle (the first of many castles, we are sure), City Hall and the General Post Office (GPO). It was very interesting to see the bullet holes in the cement at the GPO from the Easter Rebellion of 1916. We have crossed the River Liffey many times and most can find their way around the central part of the city. Monday afternoon we toured St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. What an amazing work of art!
Monday evening we were treated to dinner at the Arlington Pub. We stayed for Irish singing and step dancing. Some of the students even got on stage and tried their "feet" at step dancing. We hope to post that video clip later!
Tuesday and Wednesday students explored on their own, visiting sites both in and out of Dublin. One student found where ancestors were laid to rest. How exciting! Other points of interest have been The National Museum, Kilmainham Gaol, the Dublin Zoo, the Guiness Factory and Talbot St (for great shopping). Those who have visited Kilmainham Gaol (jail) have commented on how interesting it was. It is massive in size, and has housed many political prisoners since the 1800s. It is best known for housing and then executing 12 patriots who participated in the Easter Rebellion of 1916. During the Great Hunger it housed up to 9000 prisoners in 188 cells. After all, there was food in prison. It also housed women and children as young as 5 years old according to the tour narrator. It was disturbing seeing the cells, exercise yard, and sites of the executions. Certainly it stands as an important piece of Ireland's history.
Today some of us met with 3 students who recently graduated from medical school at Trinity College. Each had spent at least one month doing an internship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira over the last two summers. It was very interesting to discuss differences in medical education between the two countries, and the health care delivery system in general. Both systems are certainly feeling the economic strain.
Thursday morning we will leave Dublin at 8:00 am sharp for Cobh. On Friday we will tour Blarney Castle and experience Queenstown. Saturday we leave for Tralee. We are not sure when our next post will be due to internet access. When we have access we will post more pictures, and perhaps a clip of our own step dancers! We learn more about Irish history and Ireland every day.
Monday evening we were treated to dinner at the Arlington Pub. We stayed for Irish singing and step dancing. Some of the students even got on stage and tried their "feet" at step dancing. We hope to post that video clip later!
Tuesday and Wednesday students explored on their own, visiting sites both in and out of Dublin. One student found where ancestors were laid to rest. How exciting! Other points of interest have been The National Museum, Kilmainham Gaol, the Dublin Zoo, the Guiness Factory and Talbot St (for great shopping). Those who have visited Kilmainham Gaol (jail) have commented on how interesting it was. It is massive in size, and has housed many political prisoners since the 1800s. It is best known for housing and then executing 12 patriots who participated in the Easter Rebellion of 1916. During the Great Hunger it housed up to 9000 prisoners in 188 cells. After all, there was food in prison. It also housed women and children as young as 5 years old according to the tour narrator. It was disturbing seeing the cells, exercise yard, and sites of the executions. Certainly it stands as an important piece of Ireland's history.
Today some of us met with 3 students who recently graduated from medical school at Trinity College. Each had spent at least one month doing an internship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira over the last two summers. It was very interesting to discuss differences in medical education between the two countries, and the health care delivery system in general. Both systems are certainly feeling the economic strain.
Thursday morning we will leave Dublin at 8:00 am sharp for Cobh. On Friday we will tour Blarney Castle and experience Queenstown. Saturday we leave for Tralee. We are not sure when our next post will be due to internet access. When we have access we will post more pictures, and perhaps a clip of our own step dancers! We learn more about Irish history and Ireland every day.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Our Safe Arrival
We arrived in Dublin this morning around 10:30, about an hour late. We had an uneventful trip and everyone seems to be adjusting to the time change (Monday may be different). Dr. Stephens took us on a walking tour of Dublin: O'Connell St., the General Post Office, Trinity College (walk by), Grafton St. and St. Stephen's Green. We then had a hearty lunch together at Mona Lisa. The key today was to keep moving and not nap so we could all sleep tonight. On Monday we will have a formal tour of Dublin with a tour guide then dinner Monday evening. We are off to a great start.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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