Wolfe Tone outside St. Stephen's Square. He is mentioned in my summary. He committed suicide by sticking a pen in his throat and cutting it.
St. Stephen's Square -Visiting Wolfe Tone & James Joyce
After a long day of traveling, our tour guide Joe brought us to St. Stephen’s Green, a nice parked located in the busy area of Dublin, Ireland. I will not lie; I was so exhausted I missed little sections here and there of what Joe was saying (sorry Joe!) Anyways, beginning the entrance to the gorgeous park, Joe showed us a statue of Wolfe Tone. He continued for almost an hour of the significance and important of Tone’s accomplishments and popularity but in a short summary, Wolfe Tone was very important to the Irish for a leading revolutionist as well as one of the founders of the Republic of Ireland. After long history of revolutions and being caught, he was sentenced to death but actually took his own life by sticking a pen into his throat! Ouch!
Statue of James Joyce in St. Stephen's Square
Moving forward into the square, I felt as if I was in New York City for a couple of seconds. It was a beautiful park filled with many young Ireland natives, either catching some sunrays, reading, playing games, or hanging with friends after school. After walking through the center of the park, Joe stopped us at one of the most important figures in Irish Literature, as well as Seton’s Hall CORE 3383- Irish Literature class, James Joyce! (If you didn’t know, my teacher, Dr. Martha Carpentier adores James Joyce) so I assumed it was only right to include him in my blog, as well as take a picture of this important Irish writers in the early 20th century. In our class, we read short stories from “Dubliners”, as well as “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.” I felt important when taking a picture of such a powerful and influential writers statue. I felt his stories became more real as well as his words, once I was near his statue. Also, James Joyce is very well known for a writing piece called Ulysses, which I did not have to read for class, but we also visited the pharmacy shop called, “Sweny’s” which has the lemon soap mentioned in Joyce’s writing in this novel!
The One and Only Guinness Storehouse Factory!
Although there is definitely no information of Irish Literature related to the Guinness factory (maybe except the fact that most men in Irish novels are always jolly and drinking beer), the Guinness factory was the greatest experience I had at Dublin, and fortunately was a great way to end the trip! This was a personal experience because although I come from a predominantly Italian family and Italian blood, my brothers along with many of my uncles, cousins, even my gym trainer are infatuated with type of ale.
When entering the self-guided tour of the factory, we began with the ingredients to the beer, to how they prepare the ingredients, to how the barley is even crushed and ready for the brewing procedure. Moving up on the floors, I visited the next floor that involved the advertisements of every Guinness commercial, newspaper articles, any type of marketing! it was so incredible to witness this floor. Guinness states advertising and marketing are a very important part of who their company is, and it was a very great feeling that I could experience and watch many of the old, old Guinness commercials.
Moving on to the next floor is when I became a certified Guinness beer taster and drinking pourer! 
I, along with my friends in my class, went through two seminars. One seminar was how to taste Guinness beer properly to embrace and acknowledge all of the different flavors in the beer. The second seminar, showed us how to pour the "perfect Guinness pint." What an experience!
Everybody in the storehouse was very friendly and very helpful and full of knowledge.
Do not forget to go all the way to the top floor! Up at the top floor is where I was able to view a 360 degree view of ALL OF DUBLIN! To say this view was amazing is an extreme understatement!
Trinity College -The Book of Kells - The Long Room
After visiting Trinity College in Dublin, I could not help but think to myself why I never thought of applying to such a beautiful college located near the most happening section of Dublin area, called Graffton Street, where many shops, store, and restaurants are located.
"The Book of Kells" Pamphlet we received before entering
Trinity College felt like it should have been considered sacred area, this is how beautiful I felt this school was. Although very cold, we waited in a long line to see the attraction called “Book of Kells” located within Trinity College’s library.
When entering, the Book of Kells contains different gospel passages posted throughout the walls, in a museum-type set up. After passing through this, I walked upstairs to the area called “The Long Room”.
The Long Room - as you can see, appears very long full of books!
An example of the bookshelf in The Long Room
Before entering, I took a picture of a sign that said “The Long Room” and this sign stated that this old library’s purpose was to store and obtain EVERY book published in Ireland. Also, Joe had told us earlier on the bus that this room was also shown in the Star Wars movie. I felt the room was amazing. Pictures were allowed WITHOUT flash in this room and nothing could be touched. Staring towards the other end of the room, I felt it would continue forever, along with the thousands of books stored there. When visiting Trinity College, this room is a must see!
This is me standing outside the Blarney Stone
Kissing of the Blarney Stone
After a rainy night, the morning sun woke us, on the day in which we would visit the Blarney Stone. Blarney stone is located at the top of a Castle once owned by the MacCarthy’s.
A worker in the Blarney Stone souvenir shop stated that there are many stories to the kissing of the Blarney Stone, but what most believe is that after kissing the stone you will be embarked by eloquence and luck. After hearing this, I wandered down the long path toward the beautiful remains of the castle.
This is an example of leaning back to kiss the stone
I was very excited because my uncle had told me years ago he once visited the stone and also had kissed it. Once arriving to the remains, I was told we had to climb to the tippy-top through a single person staircase. This was scary for me! The steps were very narrow, short, and spiral, seemed like an accident waiting to happen! Once I got to the top, I was at a loss for words of the seen from the top. The land and property was so beautiful. Next I headed towards the stone. When arriving in front, I was approached by two men, who told me to lay on my back and lean backwards to kiss the stone. I was very scared but I did it, I kissed the stone!
A List for Future Ireland Travelers
1. Visit Temple Bar
2. Make sure you LOVE stew - it's everywhere!
3. Set a goal to go out every night and explore!
4. Do not tip while dining!
5. Visit Guinness Factory
6. Kiss the Blarney Stone
7. Visit the Yeat's exhibit in the Museum
8. Bring warm clothing
9. Abbey Theater Show was hilarious!
Visiting the Market in Cork!
While in Cork, we had several hours to explore the town. It was so beautiful! Very similar to Dublin, it contained a vast amount of shopping stores, restaurants, and coffee bars. One place we visited was the market! If you
have ever been to Eataly in NYC, this place is very similar! It includes a variety of fresh foods including fruits, meats, nuts, chicken, fishes, cheeses, breads, anything you could imagine, even desserts! It was an awesome experience to walk through such a popular market! 