The past week was filled with celebrations, visitors, and packed schedules. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday and one of the best weeks of the year because I am right on the cusp of sharing a birthday with the US. While I missed being with my family, my friends in Dublin made the day one to remember. Every day I am grateful for the friends I have made on this trip, but I am especially appreciative of how special they made the day for me.
My friends and I celebrating on the 3rd!
Celebrating the Fourth of July in Dublin was almost as good as back home. We started the evening by having burgers at Mikey’s Grill on campus and then headed off to Eddie Rockets for a hot dog and milkshakes. It was a great night being obnoxious Americans in the streets of Dublin singing songs by Toby Keith and Party in the USA.
On Friday my teammate, Corbin, landed in Dublin after three weeks of studying at the London School of Economics. It was nice to have another teammate visit me in the greatest city in Europe. My friends and I always look forward to meeting parents and friends that come to visit. It is a breath of fresh air and a change of conversation as we get close to running out of things to discuss. Visitors also provide us with a sense of home and new friends to meet back up with on campus.
I made sure to pack our schedule on Saturday with activities so Corbin could see most of Dublin in her short time. We started with a tour of the Guinness Storehouse with Sam, John, John’s mom, and aunt. It was nice to experience the Storehouse again and visit the rooms we did not get to on the tour we took on Monday. After taking in the scenery on the rooftop we made our way in the direction of Croke Park for a hurling match between Kilkenny and Claire.
After learning the rules of hurling and practicing at the Gaelic Games last weekend it was awesome to watch professional players. While my friends and I could barely balance the ball on the hurl, these men were able to fully sprint down the field without dropping it. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, but different than in New York where I watch professional baseball. Fans were still decked out in their respective team colors and cheering throughout the game but did not hold the same unavoidable super fan mentality felt back home.
While the match was thrilling I was disappointed that there was no “wave” making its way around the stadium, no chirping by opposing fans as they passed each other, and limited food at concession stands.
Corbin and I at the hurling match!
Once Claire secured the win, Corbin and I made our way back to Dineen Hill. I was let down that there was no plaque I could send back to my family and that the hill itself was merely high school bleachers, but again, the match made up for it. After the stadium cleared out and we took enough photos Corbin and I walked back down to Merrion Row for dinner.
Dineen Hill on the right! My people!
On Sunday my classmates and I traveled to Belfast to visit the Titanic Museum, and the City Centre, and take a black taxi tour. We learned a lot about the conflicts that occurred not too long ago in Northern Ireland. It was bittersweet that we finished up our final overnight trip, but I can say that we made the most of it. I’m going to keep taking in the time that I have in Dublin and enjoying the best summer ever!
My best friend Hannah enjoying the view after walking the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge!
Great pics, Cat! Loved celebrating you on your special day. Our back-to-back celebration of you and the U.S.A> was awesome!! Hoping to enjoy another Eddie Rockets hot dog with you again soon.