I can’t believe I’m already halfway through my time in Ireland. 4 weeks in and I am still amazed by how many new experiences I am exposed to daily. From folklore to verified history, I enjoyed all of the excursions we were lucky enough to go on this week!
On Thursday, I hopped on the Green Line train for the very first time and headed toward Temple Bar for the Irish folktales and fairies event. After learning about all of the sadder and more graphic history of Ireland at some of the museums we visited, it was a nice change of pace to have a lighthearted presentation on how the Irish people passed the time during the famine and other difficult periods. I enjoyed learning the true origins of the leprechaun and the Irish fairies, seeing them as far more believable than the cartoon versions we all know from our American childhoods. I also had the realization that the Irish shared these fables of the fairies having control over people’s lives when many of them were also devout Catholics. The speaker didn’t dive too deep into this, but I am sure I may uncover more about this relationship with a little supplemental research. Following the presentation we went to the Merchant’s Arch where I had Shepard’s pie, a British staple that is too delicious for the Irish to disown! Following dinner, a few of us went to get ice cream before heading back to UCD for the night.
Saturday was a long but fun day of visiting castles. First, we visited the Rock of Cashel where Saint Patrick assisted in the King of Munster’s conversion to Catholicism. I was very engrossed in all of the plaques sharing details about the actions of my patron saint and how he played such an instrumental role in having Catholicism spread throughout Ireland. In addition to this, I found the stonework itself very impressive as I tried to imagine the rock’s construction in the 12th century.
Our next stop was one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ireland: Blarney Castle. Once again, I was very impressed by the grounds and enjoyed seeing the signs that showed how the castle once looked in its original form. After a 90-minute wait, it was finally my time to kiss the Stone of Eloquence. All of the lore surrounding the stone was what I found most interesting about the site, from the tale of Jacob using it as his pillow to Cormac MacCarthy successfully talking his way into winning a lawsuit following his kiss of the stone. Following my kiss, I found myself being more talkative to everyone for the rest of the day, making me believe I did indeed receive the gift of eloquence!
The last stop was Cahir Castle. This castle looked like those out of my imagination, only missing a dragon flying overhead. I enjoyed having the opportunity to walk freely around the grounds and was very impressed by the castle’s history of successfully thwarting invasion attempts. The one time it was successfully taken was only for a brief period before the Cahir family returned. There was a model of the castle that depicted how the castle was sieged over a three-day span which showed how complicated it was for the invaders to take the estate for their own.
Monday brought us forward to the 20th century when we went and visited Kilmainham Gaol. I decided not to do any research on the prison before the tour, only knowing that it held political prisoners during the early 1900s. I was very intrigued by all of the history around the Easter Rising and the War of Independence and the specific individuals who had labeled cells on the tour. I found it interesting but not surprising at all that the horrible treatment of the Easter Rising convicts was a large turning point for the public perception of the British occupation. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this very popular tour.
I am very excited to have a slightly more laid-back week next week with the Irish house party on Thursday, Gaelic games on Saturday, and a trip to the Guinness storehouse on Monday. I also am very excited to meet up with some friends and family members who are going to be in Dublin in the next few days and I can’t wait to share some of the memories I end up making!
Photo from the Rock of Cashel
Me kissing the Blarney Stone
A photo of Cahir Castle from the main grounds
Me inside of one of the cells at Kilmainham Gaol
Jack,
Once again, you wrote using such descriptive language that I was able to imagine myself going through the castles and prison with you. Uncle Chris and I went through the Blarney Castle, but we didn’t go to any other ones. I love that you’re able to see so much of this beautiful country! ❤️💚🇮🇪
I love you!
Aunt Sharon