Stag’s Head Pub
On Thursday night, we went to the Stag’s Head Pub to listen to some Irish folklore. The storyteller talked about myths and legends depicting powerful fairy creatures. These creatures were used in stories years ago to explain the unexplainable. After the storytelling session, we walked to the Merchant’s Arch located right along the Liffey River. We all got to eat a three-course dinner together. I ordered stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and a salad, and it was delicious. The apple crumble I got for dessert was the best part. After dinner, we explored the city a bit further and discovered yet another great pub to spend our time at.
Blarney Castle
For our day trip this weekend, we went to three different castles. My favorite was Blarney Castle near the major city of Cork in southern Ireland. The castle had been built hundreds of years ago, but it seemed to be in somewhat good condition. We waited in line for a little over an hour to kiss the Blarney Stone, but it was something I just had to do. It is said that after kissing the stone, one gains the gift of eloquence. Of course, this comes at a cost. I quite literally had to hang over the edge of the castle to reach it. After this, we explored the gardens and Woollen Mills, the largest Irish shop in the world.
Kilmainham Gaol Prison
For our class trip on Monday, we went to the Kilmainham Gaol Prison in Dublin. People wait months to get tickets to tour this museum. The prison operated from 1796 to 1924 and played a crucial role during much of Ireland’s history, so it was especially nice to have a tour guide there. One of the most shocking facts I heard was that its youngest prisoner was arrested for begging at just three years old. The prison has actually been used to film movies and music videos as well. I really liked seeing the structure itself and learning about the prison’s influence on Irish independence.
Phoenix Park
After visiting the Kilmainham Gaol Prison on Monday, a group of us took to west Dublin to explore a bit. We had never been to this part of the city, so we were excited to see something new. We headed right for Phoenix Park just a few minutes’ walk away. There was a bunch to see and do in this area. We got to see the official residence of the President of Ireland and a few monuments as well. The park was a great place to take a walk, see some deer, and connect with nature again. After our legs started getting tired, we hopped back on a bus to the city center and got dinner at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
