Kilkenny Castle
Our first weekend excursion in Ireland consisted of a day trip to Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, and finally Kilkenny Castle. Once we arrived in Kilkenny, I took some time to explore the town and took in all the beautiful sights. We went to a bookstore, saw St. Mary’s Cathedral, and took photos of the statue of St. Patrick. Perhaps the most beautiful was the castle that was once inhabited by the Butler family. Inside the castle were countless relics of the past including lavish dining sets, oil portraits, pre-historic deer mounts, tapestries, and even a view overlooking the garden. It was interesting to see these pieces preserved so well in such a historic place.
The National Museum of Ireland
After class on Monday, we took a quick break in the apartment before going to the National Museum of Ireland located in Dublin. The museum is set in a beautiful Victorian building and includes pieces from the prehistoric to medieval periods. Among the most impressive exhibits were the silver chalice with the twelve apostles’ names inscribed on it, the replica Viking ship, and the very well-preserved bog bodies from thousands of years ago. I found the museum to be very informative, and I learned a lot about the Viking kingship that I had not known before. After the museum, we shopped around Dublin for a bit and eventually ate dinner at Pablo Picante.
The Clubhouse Karaoke
Since moving into the Ashfield Apartments on the University College Dublin campus, I have come to the realization that the campus bar, or The Clubhouse, hosts karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I went last Thursday, and it was a great time. The place was packed with a bunch of students living on campus for the summer. Many of them are other people from the States who are studying abroad like me. It’s really just a great place to meet people and talk about bar recommendations. I have yet to work up the courage to sing, but I think by the time I leave I will have to do at least one song.
Groceries
One thing I have noticed about living in a European country is the difference in grocery shopping. I have been grocery shopping twice now, and I have noticed brands are different, prices are lower, and fresh food is prioritized. They also do not bag your groceries. I actually have to bring a backpack to fill up when I go, and every time, I pray nothing spills anywhere. People in Ireland also shop more frequently for groceries since the expiration dates usually approach quickly. I am starting to add to my cooking abilities and even made myself chicken carbonara for dinner the other night.
