Erin Go Bragh
“Ireland Forever”
Dublin
Dublin is a city like no other I have seen before. Although it has the hustle and bustle of any metropolitan area, the history and culture makes it stand apart from all the rest. Around every corner one can find evidence of the struggles and triumphs the Republic of Ireland has faced. It is impossible to stay in Dublin without realizing how important history is to the Dubliners. Yes, we had an amazing tour guide in Joe Mernagh, but even in talking with the native people we were exposed to how deeply they are invested in their country. I believe they feel so strongly about their separation from Great Britain because it happened so recently and continues to be a pressing issue today.
Aside from looking at the sheer beauty of the statues and architecture, experiencing the nightlife is a must when in Dublin. There is something about the Irish spirit that is infectious. The people are the most genuine I’ve ever encountered. On our first night, we decided to do the touristy thing of going to the Temple Bar for a drink. Being 19, it was great to be able to go up to the counter and get served with no questions asked. It got pretty crowded very quickly so we left to go explore the area of Dublin that is called Temple Bar and ended up in some amazing pubs. We found we had the most fun at random pubs on side streets that were not full of American tourists. Interacting with the people who were born and raised in Dublin was a huge highlight. The guys we talked to were awesome and we had such a great time singing and dancing with them. They told us where to go and actually cared that we were being safe. I forgot to mention how amazing their accents are. I could listen to them talk in the brogues to me for hours!
I would recommend that everyone who visits Dublin takes the time to learn the culture and interact with the people of Ireland. Yes, we had so much fun dancing to the live music of the pubs, but truly grasping an understanding of the struggle for independence is crucial. It explains why there is so much pride running through the veins of the Irish. Everyone has family members or friends who fought for the Republic to not be aligned with the British crown. It doesn’t matter whether you stay on the North Side or the South Side, there is the true Irish spirit everywhere you go. Make sure you make time to go explore and take it all in!
Blarney
One of the next of our stops across the Emerald Isle was Blarney. It is a small town in County Cork where the two major attractions are the Blarney Woolen Mills and of course the Blarney Castle. We got incredibly lucky with the weather that allowed us to walk around and enjoy the simplistic beauty of the town. Our first night there, we ventured into the small village and found a pub that actually ended up being a dud. We wanted an authentic Irish feel and we were not getting it there. So, we made our way to a pub down the block. Lucky for us, it was Idris’ 40th Birthday Party! Who is Idris you ask? We aren’t entirely sure. He was a local man who was having his birthday celebration on a random Tuesday night. It was amazing because there was a great band playing fantastic music and everyone was drinking and Irish dancing. We had a blast because it was completely unexpected.
In the morning, we got to go see the spectacular sight that is the Blarney Castle. The ground surrounding it are something out of a movie. There are rolling hills, waterfalls, beautiful flowers, and picturesque scenes everywhere you look. I was literally in awe just taking in its untouched beauty. The castle is another thing entirely. The winding spiral staircase to get to the top is like no other. I couldn’t believe that it was still standing after hundreds of years. Legend says that kissing the Blarney Stone is good luck. When my family and I traveled to Ireland 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to do this, so I guess you could say I was a professional. The actual act of kissing the stone is very daunting and scary. You lay on your back at the top of the castle, and lean back over a gap that only had two small poles to catch you from falling to your death. You then go backwards and kiss the wall upside down. It is truly a magical experience that is awesome to say you did.
Thurles
Visiting the town of Thurles in County Tipperary was an unexpected highlight of my trip. On the first day of our trip I got to talking with Joe, our tour guide. I told him that my great aunt was a nun at a convent in a place called Thurles. What happened next is something out of a story book. Joe’s face immediately lit up and he proceeded to tell me that he grew up there and his mother still lives there. I was in complete shock. What are the chances this would actually happen? He knew that my aunt must have been in the Ursuline Convent, which she was. On my first trip to Ireland, I had the honor of meeting her and even playing the piano for her and her fellow sisters. My grandma stayed in contact with her until her death at the age of 96 in 2010.
Unknown to me, Joe took it upon himself to contact the Ursulines and spoke with the head nun, Sister Mercedes. She was actually one of Sister Enda’s very good friends and knew her for most of her life. Joe told me two days prior, that we were going to make a detour in Thurles just for me. That’s right, the entire tour group was going to go out of our way for me.
The bus pulled up to the convent and immediately chills came all over my body and I was speechless. Myself and Joe got off the bus and were greeted with open arms by Sister Mercedes. When we saw each other, I felt an instant connection and so at home. She knew exactly who I was, as my great aunt had apparently talked quite frequently about her family in America. Sister Mercedes took me to a special cemetery where Sister Enda was laid to rest. When I saw her gravestone, I started to cry. The moment was just so extremely important. I prayed for my family, wishing they could all be there with me to experience it, and thanked her for being such a strong figure for my family. Sister Mercedes then lead me into the new convent building where I was again greeted so openly by several nuns who were friends of my great aunt. They told me stories about how great of a person she was and how she was titled Mother Superior for her 69 years of service to the lord.
As if this story couldn’t get any better, what happened next blew me away. Sister Mercedes, in anticipation for my arrival went through her things and made a box full of Sister Enda’s belongings that she had been left when she passed. They included a holy water font, and several books. The most amazing thing she gave me, though, was her own prayer book. It is filled with little notes with prayers written from edge to edge in both English and Gaelic. Sister Mercedes graciously gave all of these items to me and said that is what Enda would have wanted. I started shaking and couldn’t believe I was holding her items in my hands. The whole situation felt surreal.
I have since brought back her possessions to my grandma and she became so emotional about everything. I have read some of her prayers and her dedication to God and insight about life has really been comforting and life changing. I recently emailed Joe, thanking him for giving me the ability to have this experience. I can honestly say this was one of the very best moments of my life.
Kerry
County Kerry was by far the most emotional part of the trip for me. My mother’s father, Daniel Moran, was born there in a small town called Dingle. He left Ireland to create a better life for himself in the states when he was just 14 years old. His story really inspires me because he made a life altering decision to leave his family farm. My grandpa unfortunately passed away when my mother was only sixteen years old. Returning to a place that I’ve heard so many stories about was absolutely incredible.
Our tour lead us around the Ring of Kerry. Joe stopped the bus at many locations for us to experience the country and see all it has to offer. The drastic difference between the west and the east became very apparent here. Being in the western part of the country, all you see are shades of green everywhere with sheep and animals everywhere. A large portion of the people who live in these isolated places live off of their land. It is very hard to even find the words to describe how beautiful Kerry is.
The first stop we made was at the Kerry Bog Village where we pet a Kerry Pony and Irish Wolfhounds. They even made us Irish coffees that have Bailey’s in it. After navigating the very narrow, winding roads, we found ourselves at the coast. The cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean were breathtaking. While we were not able to make it all the way to Dublin, we could see it across the water and that was good enough for me. My friends and I danced on the cliffs and took spectacular pictures. Just thinking about this part of the trip brings tears to my eyes.
Kerry is the real Ireland in my opinion. We were lucky enough to see a sheep herding demonstration by an actual shepherd who lives on a farm there. It really put life into perspective for me. It was incredible to see how living life like that is so natural. The culture is so amazing and the people there love it. Their optimistic and positive attitude, simply put, made me so happy.
Tips for Traveling Abroad:
- Pack as little as possible.
You will be lugging around your suitcase in and out of hotel rooms. Bring clothes you can mix and match with.
- Don’t expect to have the same food options that you have at home.
Yes, major cities have the recognizable fast food chains, but you have to be open to trying what the native people suggest. It’s all part of the experience.
- Bring enough money in the correct currency.
You will not want to have to stop and get more money once you get there. Put it all in different locations to reduce the risk of losing it.
- Be aware of your surroundings, but don’t be afraid to explore.
Don’t act like a tourist. Pick-pocketers and thieves will target you if you are careless. Don’t let this stop you from using your free time to hang out with the locals.
- Take lots and lots of pictures.
This may seem obvious, but always take the time to snap a quick photo. Bring a camera in addition to your cell phone. You’ll be able to relive the best times over and over again.
