Tipperary Far Away

After my last day of work on Thursday, I went out to dinner and then to a house where some other people in my program live. A few of my roommates were there too and we hung out for a bit and then headed to O'Donoghue's, which is a pub where they play traditional music. My cousin Kevin had recommended it to me, as well as other multiple sources so I was excited to check it out. O'Donoghue's was also where the Dubliners got their start so I knew it had to be good. By the time we got there the place was packed and the music had already begun. We managed to position ourselves against a wall and tried to obscure anyone's view. The band was two guys with instruments, one with a banjo and the other with a guitar. There was also another guy who was doing the singing. They played many of the classics which I feel like I have known since birth. This band was probably the best I have seen in Dublin yet, they were definitely closer to the good stuff you would find out in the West.



The next event was highly confusing and puzzling----Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the band, singing along and the Bulgarian man next to me asked if I was Spanish. The band took a break and then the singer also asked if I was Spanish. I have no idea what is wrong with everyone in this country, but this has been the second occurrence where people have thought I am Spanish. YES-look at my paler than white skin and my hair. Clearly, I am a native Spaniard. I really do not understand, I thought maybe I'd be mistaken for Irish rather than SPANISH! but apparently to these two men, I was Spanish. They were shocked to find that I was American--really? Was this a joke? Anyways, the singer then insisted that they play Spanish Lady for me...oh dear. It just so happened that the people sitting behind us were all from Spain and they agreed with me that I did not look Spanish, they were just as confused--although that might have been due to their broken English. No matter, my new friend in the band gave me one of their free sandwiches for the mix-up and I was not complaining. Soon though we left and headed home.





The next morning I was off to Tipperary to visit my roommate Brid from Maynooth. I barely made the bus and then traveled from Dublin to Cashel. I had been there once before with Saint Mary's to visit the Rock of Cashel, but I had barely seen the town. Luckily, I got off at the right stop and was met by Brid-we walked for a little bit and visited her mom at work in the bank and then headed out to her house. She lives a few minutes outside Cashel in a small village and lives on a farm where they raise cows and cattle. Brid absolutely loves her dogs Spot and Polly so after hearing so much about them all semester, I was excited when I finally got to meet the loves of her life. We walked around her farm a bit and then made some lunch. Her dad came in from working and I met him as well, although his accent was so thick it was difficult to understand most of what he was saying. Her dad then asked if we wanted to head out on his tractor and why not? So the three of us got into the tractor and went around with him doing what he needed to do. The roads were so bumpy and we were so packed into the tractor that it was basically like a roller coaster ride, but still fun. After our ride, we headed over to her sister's house and walked her crazy little dog, Spud. After a few encounters with some different dogs, we ran back to the house and then went to Clonmel quickly to a shop for her sister. As soon as we got back, an amazing dinner of bacon (different from the American kind) was waiting for us and it was all insanely delicious. As soon as we were finished eating, we hurried to get ready and then picked up two of Brid's friends to go to the cinema and see Toy Story 3. I really didn't know what to expect since I hadn't seen the second and it had been years since I saw the original, but overall it actually wasn't bad. We went back to Brid's after the movie and fell straight asleep.











The next morning we had a traditional fry of sausages, rashers, eggs, potatoes, toast, tomatoes--all my absolute favorite. After breakfast we were so stuffed that we took a short nap, then woke up again and took the dogs for a walk around the farm. We passed the calves and went into a field where there's a ring fort on top of the hill. No big deal, just a fort of trees built by the Celts way back when..they really act like having a historical landmark on your property is no big deal here, I was amazed. They can't tear any of the trees down though because there's a legend that if you do illness or death will fall upon you and that happened, coincidentally, to their neighbor. After the walk, Brid's dad offered to take me out on the tractor again and we went to pick up some hay bales in the field. Another bumpy, but exciting ride was in store for me. As soon as we got back a lunch of lamb was waiting for us and Brid's Granny came for it. We all talked for a bit and then after we cleaned up, it was time for me to head back to Dublin. Brid had to work that night and I needed to work on my internship paper, so her parents drove me to the bus stop and then I got on and headed back.





When I got back my roommates who had stayed in Dublin were going to Messr Maguires for a few drinks so I quickly got ready and then we headed to the quays along the Liffey. The place was fairly full when we got there and we found a table and sat down enjoying some of the house brews they make on their own. We talked for a while and then the music began to blare from the DJ and eventually we headed back home. The next day I passed up the World Festival in Dun Laoghaire to work on my paper and the house had plans to go to the Vat House to hear the band we had seen our first Sunday together. We got ready and then headed to see the band, I couldn't believe this was going to be my last time seeing this band who I had gone to see since March..it was all too weird. As soon as we got there, people were already gathered around and they were putting on a show. Phil, the fiddler, usually isn't too talkative and just sits and plays his fiddle, getting up every so often to show off his skills. However, this night he was in rare form and was putting on the best show I have seen and was making jokes all night. It was a great way to go out and the crowd even demanded an encore at the end--it was great. On the way home three of us decided to duck into Flannery's for a pint thinking it wouldn't be too busy since it was a Sunday. However, there were people everywhere since there had been some matches on during the day and everyone was celebrating. We then headed home to Grove Park..

Over and Out

The final week of the internship for many in my house was a time of relief. They are almost done, never to go back to their employers or fellow interns; they were excited to be done. My reaction however was quite different. I was dreading this week. I knew the weeks would pass by too quickly, just as my whole experience in Ireland as done, but I was just not ready for Monday to come. I woke up and knew it was the last week I would have to be up at 8:15 only to make tea and biscuits, shower, hurriedly get ready, and hope to be out the door by 9:30 while rushing out with my hair still wet. The last few times I would run down the stoop of 92 Grove Park and throw in my iPod headphones and walk down Camden St. hoping not to be run over as I crossed all of the different roads. The last few times I would turn at the Bleeding Horse and then walk up to Harcourt St., making my way past others trying to get to work as hurriedly as they can. The last few times I would walk through Stephen’s Green past the gardeners and the old men strolling through on their morning walk. The last few times dodging the hundreds of Spanish schoolkids at the stop lights and making my way down Kildare St. to the gates of the Leinster House. I miss it all far too immensely already.





Monday was a fine day and filled with spurts of rain. I had to spend my lunch inside instead of my usual time spent outside on a bench in Stephen’s Green. After work, I foolishly realized at the foot of my door that I had locked myself out and since no one else was home yet, I had to patiently wait for someone to rescue me. Monday was also one of my roommate’s birthdays. Coffey, who is from China and goes to school at Wisconsin-Madison, was turning 20 and wanted us all to go to dinner. We walked around to different places and wanted to try somewhere new. We made our way to the Temple Bar area and went to the Porterhouse and had traditional Irish food. Realizing we were down to less than two weeks together, we enjoyed each other’s company and had fun celebrating Coffey’s day. We all had to finish up our history papers which are due Friday so everyone stayed in and tried to get as much work as much we could on our essays.



Tuesday was another day of intermittent rain. At work Margaret took me to tea and I enjoyed one of my last scones here, which I can only describe as the best in the world. We joined the “ladies” and gossip ensued about the recent issues in politics and what their kids were doing. For lunch, the skies had lifted and I was able to join my roommate in the green for our lunch. Everyday there are a group of four people, we assume related, who come to the park with their three dogs-Toby, Sandy, and Sunday. We know we’ve spent too much time in the park when we know the names of these dogs. These people love their dogs as one guy, Gerry, always picks up one of the dogs and holds him like a baby while singing “Rock a-bye baby”. It’s fairly nauseating, but entertaining while also reminding me of my Dad with Guinness. Even though I have never actually talked to the people of the park, I am going to miss them greatly for all of the entertainment they provide. Tuesdays mean the Bachelorette in 92 Grove Park. So we were all excited to watch it and learn Frank’s secret. We also were ecstatic to see Chris move on to the final two. Unfortunately, the excitement had to be scaled down as I sought to finish my paper on Michael Collins. Thankfully it is over and done with, but I still have another to work…





Wednesday, again, saw rain here and there. However, the rain lifted during lunch and I was able to make it out to the green again. Also, during tea time I walked down to the coffee dock to get tea for Margaret and I and was able to make eye contact a few times with Enda Kenny, the leader of the Fine Gael party. Earlier that day I also did the same with the leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore. Ahhhh something I will certainly miss doing on a regular basis, running into politicians. Melissa and I sat by Gerry and the dogs and enjoyed their entertainment for one of the last times. After work, I walked around for a bit and then made my way back to the house. Thankfully I made it just in time before the rain and thunder hit. Strangely since I have been here, I have never heard or seen thunder and lightning so it was a new experience. That night my friend, Niamh, who stayed my family in Peoria last summer came over since she studies in Dublin and the two of us and Kat and Marissa went out to a place we had heard about near our house. There was a combination of three venues in one, I’m not quite sure why they don’t just call the whole place one thing, but nevertheless they have three different venues in one building. All summer we had wondered where all of the people our age were hanging out. Well it turns out this was the spot. Everyone there looked as though they were college age and some even a little younger. Quite honestly by the end of the night, I was bored of it. I realized I would much rather be in the company of those who might be older, rather than those who are obnoxious and still younger. We said good-bye to Niamh and headed home. I knew tomorrow was the last day and I did not know how to handle it all.

When I woke up this morning, I knew it was going to be hard. I had a knot in my stomach and all I wanted to do was ask to keep working. However, today my time had come to see the end. When I received the information that I would be interning in the Dáil back in May, I was beyond excited and ready to start then and there. I could not have been more excited, especially to work for someone from Mayo, who turned out to have several connections to my relatives. I would have never dreamed to have had the opportunity to work in a foreign government, but here I am. My day started out just like all of the rest, tea and biscuits, shower, hurriedly get ready, routine commute. However, when I walked up to the Leinster House I nearly lost it when I presented my letter at the gate for the last time and the last time I would get my visitor badge and the post. Things were weighing on me and it was hard to take in. Maybe I am being a bit overdramatic, but I think this summer has had the biggest impact on me than any other experience I have had---even more than my semester in Maynooth. I feel as though I have changed in different ways and have grown more independent. However, when Margaret walked through the door of the office, I wanted to blubber and cry—the last good morning we would exchange. Since it was my last day, she took me down to the canteen for tea and scones, since she knows how much I love them. Some companies give their interns a cash gift at the end of their time, although I am not likely to receive one, however the gift of these scones which Margaret has given me over the weeks has been far better than any comfort a hundred euro could provide. We joined two of the ladies and chatted a bit about a few things that were going on in the office and then had to go back to work. The last bite of the scone may have been one of the top 10 saddest moments of my life. The day continued on just as it normally does, Margaret makes some phone calls and fills me in on the different cases and how they are approaching them. I then went to lunch in Stephen’s Green and couldn’t believe it would be the last time I would be sitting there during work and would watch all of the regulars. I shall miss the man named Jerry who sounds like a pirate with his three dogs: Toby, Sandy, and Sully. The gardener in the bright blue overalls will also be a favorite.









The rain began to start spitting so I headed inside for my last trek into the Dail. As soon as I went back in, my stomach dropped and I got the same feeling I always do before I have to say good-bye to someone…the awful nauseated sensation when I jut want to get it over with. Eventually the time came to say good-bye and with a nice firm handshake and a walk to the door of LH2000, I said good-bye to Margaret. It was so strange walking away from the woman who had been a complete stranger only six weeks ago and then was someone I was around for several hours a day. In a typical manner, I began tearing up and had to compose myself until I made it past the gate and the let it out. Surely I looked ridiculous welling up down the street so I made a beeline for Merrion Square and the park in the middle, which has come to be my favorite spot in Dublin. The park has so many trees, you feel secluded and almost out of the reaches of the city. The walk helped me to calm down and then led me to walk around for a bit, past the row of Georgian buildings to the Old Canal and back to home at Grove Park.

Another Week in Dublin, Another Week of Bliss

The last week has been a bit chaotic with a heavy dose of rain. Monday started out fine at work, things in the office have slowed down since the Dail is now on recess. However, that does not stop the constituents from sending in queries and other things to be done. There are less and less people around and not as much excitement as there was just in my first week of work. However, I was excited when lunch came around on Monday. My roommate from Maynooth, Helena was in Dublin for the day looking at dresses for a Debs dance she had been invited to. Debs is basically Prom in Ireland and since Helena opted out of the optional year, which most people do here in their high school equivalent, all of her friends at home are graduating and just now starting college. We met up and were able to catch up, it was so amazing to see her and incredibly comforting to see a familiar face. Unfortunately, our lunch didn’t last long and then we had to say good-bye, but thankfully I’ll be seeing her in two weeks when I go to visit her in Roscommon.

Tuesday welcomed nothing special, except endless rain all day. However, it was the annual Bachelorette night when almost all of the house gathers in the living room and watches Alli try and find her husband. Most of us are rooting for Chris, but we will just have to wait for next week to find out if he will stay or go…

Wednesday at work was fun. Margaret took me to get tea and a scone and then we were met by John who was down to get some work done since he is on holiday the next week. For lunch, the three of us went to the Member’s Dining Room for an “end of term” lunch and had a wonderful meal. The party leader of Labour was also at another table and we made eye contact, so that was my claim to fame for the day. Once the meal was over and we each had enjoyed two glasses of wine, we were back to work. When I got home, it was time to try and work on the two papers we have to do for UCD so everyone has been struggling with trying to get them done so we can enjoy the end of our time in Dublin.

Thursday was the last day I would see John due to his holiday during my last week so we had to say good-bye right before lunch. It was so surreal saying good-bye and well being the crazy person that I am, I started to tear up and thankfully made it out of the room before I became a blubbering mess. What an embarrassment I am! The weather was finally sunny and warm so I made it out to Stephen’s Green and relaxed in the sun while people-watching and enjoying the usuals who are always out too. However, when I came back in from lunch John was still here and so another good-bye was said and then it was officially the last time I would see him at least for now. After work, three of my housemates were going to London, a trip I was supposed to go on but didn’t due my debacle with my visa and being bound to Irish soil until August 5th. The few of us left in the house sent them off and then attempted to work on our papers.



Three of us, Marissa, Shelby, and I decided we wanted to get out of the house so we got ready and then went down the street to a beer garden, Tram Co., which a few young Irish people have raved about. Well, there was not much raving to do about the place since no one was there when we walked up, so we decided to head down the street towards city centre and check out a pub. On the way there, the rain which had started, began to get heavier and heavier and we were soaked when we finally arrived at Hogan’s. We had a drink there, but the crowd was a bit older so we decided to leave and head back down Camden Street and try to find somewhere else to go. When we walked outside it was nearly a monsoon. I was the only one with an umbrella so the three of us tried to all get under it, but it was not too helpful. We ended up sprinting from one overhang to the next and resting for a bit under each one. Eventually we made it back down the street to Tram Co., but there still were not many people. We ended up dancing for a bit and then decided to go back home and sleep.

With the two papers looming over my head, I woke up early and made myself some scrambled eggs and rashers and then went to UCD to try and knock out one of my papers. Starting out with 700 words, I made it to 2,000 with only 500 more to go and then headed back home to get some dinner-there is only so much Michael Collins I can handle in one day. Marissa and I had talked about getting Tako (as they spell it) fries from this place down the street so as soon as I got home, we sprinted off and had some of the delicious fries smothered in garlic sauce, cheese, chili sauce, and fresh grilled ground beef. Yes, it is fairly disgusting, but absolutely delicious. I lounged around and then headed to the airport because a friend from Peoria who’s interning in Scotland for the summer came to visit. I picked Sam up and then we walked around Dublin a bit and met with Marissa to go down the street to a pub called the Bleeding Horse. From there, we went down the street to Flannery’s, another favorite of ours, and spent some time there. Eventually after a long day, we made it back to the house and I fell straight asleep.

The next day I took Sam to the Guinness Factory and although it was my third time there, it’s always a good time. We poured our own pints and mine was given a “very good” for which I was proud. From there we ran into a market where you could get 16 plums or clementines for only €1! A complete steal in a city where everything costs an outrageous amount. We stopped off a pub and tried some traditional food. We then walked around Trinity, saw the Dail and Stephen’s Green. Dublin is slightly annoying to walk around in right now due to the large influx of tourists and a recent infiltration of Spaniards into the city-we have no idea where all of these Spanish children have come from, but I think I see more of them than I do Irish. I was incredibly tired when we finally made it back to the house so I needed a nap and then we got ready and Marissa, Shelby, Sam, and I went out for the night. We decided to give Tram Co. one more shot since we heard Saturday nights were fun, but again—no one was there. We then headed to Harcourt St. and went to Copper’s, which can always be interesting. We stayed there for a bit and my endless fascination with the “floor staff” there, as they call themselves, continued. If someone spills even a little bit, they rush over instantly with their mops and have the mess taken care of in seconds. Possibly a little OCD, but it is what it is. We had a long night and I was more than ready to get to sleep.





The next day we lied low and the London travelers made it home and we were able to all catch up. A few of us decided to go see the movie Inception, which was absolutely mind-blowing. The plot made me think like never before and by the end of it my mind was fried. I had never had to think so hard in a movie just to follow the plot. I was even shaking a bit, I’m not sure if that was from sitting too close to the screen or what. I highly recommend it, but certainly be prepared to think. After the movie, I headed with Sam to the Temple Bar area to get some food and listen to some Irish music. I took him to where I had gone many times with my SMC friends. He enjoyed the Irish stew and we listened a bit to the traditional music. Since Sam had to leave the house at 4:45, we headed back early and said good-bye since there was no way I was going to wake up that early and then go to work for my last week.

I Love This City Tonight, I Love This City Always

Yesterday it really hit me. I don’t know why, but when my friend sent me a message yesterday morning saying 4 weeks until I saw her-I broke down inside. I was literally on the brink of tears and my stomach was in the knots that I get whenever I have to say good-bye to someone. For some reason this single message was all that it took to send me over the edge. I was distracted that morning on my way to work with what I still had to do before 5 August. At the current moment I am overwhelmed with different emotions. I am inspired to get out and see everything I still need to see in Dublin-I am sad to see say good-bye to work, my friends, and Ireland-I am excited to get back home and enjoy time with my family-I am overwhelmed with the two papers I have to write for UCD-I am also a bit homesick and just ready to get back already…I really don’t know how to manage these feelings.



Last night I was talking with my roommate and we wanted to get out of the house and get around Dublin so we walked around and took photos of different things we are going to miss. I think the walk helped me in knowing that even when I do leave Dublin, it will always be a part of me. I will always think of it as my city. When I come back (and I will come back), I know I will be able to make my way to Stephen’s Green, to walk along the canal and be able to walk by the Georgian buildings on Leeson St., and to walk to my favorite pubs of Whelan’s, Flannery’s, and the Bleeding Horse on Camden St…I have only recently become a part of Dublin, but now it is a part of me.







I think the thing I will miss most about my summer here in Dublin is work. For most people they cannot wait to leave at 5 o’clock and are at all times ready for the weekend. Maybe if I was here long enough I would have the same sentiments, however, I truly love it here. I am certainly going to miss waking up every morning motivated as I make a cup of tea and read the latest headlines on irishtimes.com. I will also miss my walk to work. I love passing the man in the orange jumpsuit on the corner by our house passing out the Metro paper and also walking with everyone else who are trying to get to their offices. I also do not know what I am going to do when I am not sprinting across the street trying to avoid being splattered by cars or when I make a left turn and end up on one of the nicest streets in Dublin as I pass various prestigious businesses and the Department of Foreign Affairs. My favorite part of the walk is when I make my way through St. Stephen’s Green especially when I pass the same gardener everyday in the royal blue overalls and say hello and when I enter into the main center area and the sun suddenly pours down.

Entering into work is another thing I love. Everyday I go to security and have to present a letter to them, which allows me to walk in with no problem, over the few weeks they have begun to recognize me and like to play a few jokes and what not. I also enjoy when Margaret, the secretary, walks in and we have a bit of talk on different things to what’s going on for the day or when I did over the weekend. She provides great entertainment at work and I’m going to miss her telling the phone to “sod off” or yelling at the computer because she doesn’t know how to use it. Her little sayings will also be missed of everyone being referred to as creatures and telling me that I am a free agent to do what I want and calling me a star, pet, love, and angel. Some of the advice she has passed along since she has worked here for so long as also been invaluable. Her running out of the room with her purse clutched under her arm after a phone call with an “eegit” for a smoke will also be missed. Her rolling of her eyes at me and shrugging her shoulders while talking to a said “eegit” will also be greatly missed.

Something of great importance to me at Leinster House is the tea break. I know…not much to do with work, but it certainly does here. Tea is a way of getting to know someone here. Just through putting milk in tea for Margaret, I learned that she likes a lot so that she is helping to build her bones and she was not too impressed with my Dad that he did not choose milk to build up his own bone density. Tea is also when friends who work in different places come together and are able to reconnect. Sometimes I am down in the coffee dock right before eleven and as soon as the hand strikes the hour, people are coming down the stairs, through doors to get in line for their tea—it’s honestly incredible and entertaining to watch. In my time down there attempting to get internet, I have noticed there are distinct groups who get together everyday and have their time to catch up and slag each other. The scones alone are worth loving teatime here. Only 65 cents, they are the best things to have ever met my taste buds. They are homemade daily and are to die for; if I could I would make the person who makes them move with me for the rest of my life. I am also going to miss the hospitality of everyone here. Everyone says hello in the hallway and always try to make small talk. Running into politicians who I see on the TV in the office of the Dail will certainly be another event of work I will miss. The woman down the hall who occasionally bakes is another of my favorite people at work. Overall, I am happy here and the same excitement I got when I came to the Dail for the first time back in April has certainly not faded even today.





Three weeks from Thursday I will be leaving Irish soil and will be landing back on American soil. In that time I still have to finish work, visit my roommates from Maynooth, write two papers, see and eat all of Dublin, hopefully make it to Inishturk, complete a presentation, move-out of Grove Park and set up temporarily with my family, spend time with my Irish relatives, pack my life into two suitcases, and not regret or miss a moment left.

Slainte!

Whoop There It Is--OXEGEN

Way back in February my Irish friends had told me about the music festival called Oxegen. It honestly sounded amazing and as much as I had wanted to go, at the time, I was going to be back in America and not worrying about how I was going to make it to the front row to see Jay-Z perform. However, when my plans changed, all of my friends were asking if I was going to go to Europe’s Best Festival with 70,000 other people and I thought why not? The second day I was with my new roommates in Dublin, I pitched the idea to them hoping they would be ecstatic to go and just as I had hoped, they were ready to buy their tickets then and there. It took us a few weeks to finally get around to deciding how long we were going to go for and when, but we finally came to an agreement on going for just Saturday—let’s do it.



Finally the day came and we knew the weather was going to be rough. The rain had been coming all week and the night before it was downpouring and Saturday was no different. Before I knew it, I was dressed in my wellies, leggings, shirt, trash bag (as a rain coat), sequined hat, and hideous but wonderful sunglasses. All of my roommates and I looked ridiculous, but it was Oxegen—this did not come around everyday. Once we were ready, we headed out on a bus to the buses which would take us to the festival. We had several funny looks and jeers on the way there, but I mean who wouldn’t be jealous of us for going to Oxegen…they know they wanted to too!

When we finally made it to the buses, I was expecting long lines and to wait for an hour or so just to get on a bus. However, after a few years of doing this, I should have expected they would know what they were doing and we were immediately loaded on a bus and taken to the Punchestown Racetrack grounds. I had been there before for a horse race, but this time I was a little but different, certainly in the way I was dressed if nothing else. The ride took about an hour, but finally we made it out there and loaded off to enter into the festival I had been waiting months to attend. As soon as I stepped off the bus and went through the check-in area, I felt the energy of the thousands upon thousands of people. If you were expecting to run into a friend, it certainly would not have been like winning the lottery. Mud was another theme of the day as it was everywhere; there was not a patch of green to be seen. There were areas where mud was literally up to my shin. There were some people who had clearly dove into the mud puddles as they were covered head to toe—insane.





We scoped out the grounds and then went to get a good spot for the act we wanted to see on the main stage, Florence + The Machine. She is hugely popular over here and is also incredible live. We had to wait for a bit, but it was completely worth it. As soon as I landed in Ireland I became a fan and was insanely excited to hear her. When she came on stage, the crowd roared and when the music started, the crowd could have sung for Florence and she could have done nothing—it was crazy. During one of her songs, the rain began to pour and everyone was jumping around, it was so much fun and my friends and I were having the time of our life. My smile could not be wiped off of my face, I was having one of those moments which will truly stay with me for the rest of my life. Sadly, Florence had to end and as much as I wanted to hear her for the rest of the night, there were still so many more bands to hear.

From Florence we moved on to an American group, 3OH!3, who are alright, but not really my cup of tea. They are also do not seem to be greatly popular here either since most people were standing around and just watching, not singing along or dancing. We only stayed there for a little bit and then went to another stage under a tent and saw La Roux who is a new British singer and also popular in Ireland. We caught the end of her act, but she did put on a good show for what we saw. By that time it was somewhere around 8:30 and we were hungry so after looking around at the hundreds of options that Oxegen offered, we decided on the Mexican food. We paid and then waited for awhile for our food and the lady finally asked us if we were waiting, (no we are just standing here staring at you!) yes we are! The man who had taken our money didn’t remember us and so the woman didn’t believe we had paid so she asked for our receipts. Well mine was on the ground and at this point on a lad’s shoe and covered in mud…well thankfully I was able to retrieve it from his heel and was able to find the word burrito amidst the mud. She gave me a shrewd look and comment, thinking I hadn’t paid and had just found the receipt on the ground, but gave me the burritos anyways. At this point, the rain was still coming down and my “rain coat” had ripped on the side and I was just soaking. Once we had scarfed down our food, we made our way back to the tent and I threw on a dry shirt and sweatshirt and new trash bag.







We waited for a bit under the tent and then heard another group sing, Gossip. My roommate Mal had been playing their music all week and I was pretty excited to hear them. They certainly did not disappoint as they sounded just as they did on iTunes. After Gossip there was another band, Hot Chip and we watched them for a bit and while they were singing the rain had stopped for the moment. The big act for the night, Black Eyed Peas, was then on soon so we made our way to the stage where they were playing. We waited another while for them to come on and when they did, the crowd went insane. Everyone was singing along and they put on quite the show. When they sang their oldie and for some reason a favorite, “Where is the Love?”, the rain again absolutely poured down—it was another amazing moment to add to the list. My friends and I belted out the lyrics and had a blast. Everyone was so close together and jumping up and down, it was an absolute rain and mud dream. However, Will.I.Am. did a DJ section that I found to be excruciating, he was playing other artists and I was over it after the first random song he played, when those twenty awful minutes were over, they started back with their music and it got better.

Since they were the last act of the night, we headed out when they started on their last song so as to beat the crowd. We literally trudged through mud, I felt like a soldier in ‘Nam. On the way out, we past one last band, Muse, who is good but I really don’t know a ton of their songs. However, we listened for a bit and they were quite good. When we finally did make it out of the gates, I was again expecting huge lines and to have to wait a long time to onto a bus. However, there literally looked like hundreds of buses waiting and we were quickly seated and on our way to Dublin. The ride was long and I was absolutely soaking and ready to get into dry, warm clothes. After what felt like forever, we were dropped off on O’Connell Street and as soon as we got off the wind came in and chilled me to my deepest, inner core. We scrambled for a cab and piled in, happy to be warm. Before we knew it, we were back home at Grove Park and had changed and thrown everything into the washer. Everything was covered in mud—my black leggings were now brown as was my yellow shirt, I looked like a wet rat who had just crawled all the way from Galway. It had been a long day, but it was absolutely worth it for I will never ever forget my experience.

Another Day at the Races

The past week has been fairly quiet with not too much activity, but the most rain we've had all summer. At work it was the end of the term so now the Dail is on summer holiday for three months...compared to the US' month long recess, I thought this was fairly ridiculous and unnecessary but oh well..I guess it's not my government. There was a "cuppa and cake" party for the end of the term on Thursday so after seeing the flier on the bathroom door everyday for the past two weeks, I was excited to go. So thankfully Margaret and I went and on the way ran into the American intern who happens to work down the hall and goes to UVA. She informed me that there are several other American interns working in Leinster House...and I thought I was the only one at first. I was invited to watch the office rugby match, but had to politely decline for I was off to a horse race.

After work, I met up with one of my roommates and we got on the LUAS and headed down south to Leopardstown for a horse race. Once we were there we received our tickets and were given a free meal, drink, and race booklet. We met up with people from our program and scoped out the scene at the race. Unlike the other race I had been at earlier in the year, no one was really dressed up and we had thought that they were going to be so everyone in my house was looking spiffy so we were looking a little out of place. The rain started when we were there so it was a bit of a downer but still fun. I bet on a horse called Maverick Man, but he lost of course--the last time I bet on a horse. After the races, the rain was really starting to come down and I was ready to get inside and into my sweats. Thankfully it wasn't too bad getting back and we hung out for a bit and then tried our luck with the rain and going out and tried to see how hoppin' a pub called the Barge down the street was, but I think for the pub where everyone is always outside along the canal, the rain wasn't giving it much business. We then moved on to our regular spot called Flannery's where we had some craic. On the way home, a few of us stopped in the pub closest to us and tried to see if we could join the karaoke, but they had already packed up for the night so we headed home.











The next day we spent running around the city trying to do various things and went to Penney's and got wellies for the next day when we were going to Oxegen Fest, which is the largest Festival in Ireland and has been voted the Best European Festival a few times. The whole day was filled with rain and I was ready to just get back to the house and relax for a bit so that I could be prepared for Oxegen. We had a nice chill night at home and got ready for the following day..

Green and Red of Mayo

Hurriedly I packed my bags and hopped into Kevin’s car and headed into the sunset for the true Motherland, Maigh Eo or Mayo for those who don’t speak Gaeilge. I had been there once before when my mom came to visit, but only being there for about 24 hours did not provide sufficient time in Mayo. We left Dublin around 9pm so we didn’t arrive until quite late in which instance I went straight to bed. When I woke up in the morning, I remembered how much I had loved the landscape of Mayo when I was last there. There are rolling hills and mountains everywhere you look, the green never ends either. In the Morley’s holiday home if you look out one way, you can see Croagh Patrick where St. Patrick was said to have spent 40 days and 40 nights. If you look out the other side of the house, you can see the ocean as well as the most well-known island for anyone who’s a Grant, Inishturk. Thinking of Ireland when I was younger, I think associated the country more with Mayo and Inishturk than anything else. The stories from my Grandma, my Uncle Johnny and my Mom of their journeys there with my Great-Grandpa out on a boat made me want to see the island more than anything else in Ireland. Kevin and his wife Erin were saying there were some storms coming up and it was going to be raining all weekend. However, I still wanted to try and make it to the soil where it all seemed to have begun.







In the morning, the sky was gray and the wind was absolutely wild. However, it seemed to be no bother for the Irish as I was told to grab a bike and head down for the new harbor. On the way out we got caught in a bit of rain, so they decided to turn back and instead we loaded up the car and drove the two seconds down to see the Turk a bit closer. Just as we made it down there a ferry from Clare Island came in and loaded on its passengers, it seemed that there were some people who lived on the island getting on since they loads and loads of bags from Dunnes as it looked like they were gathering supplies for the flood, but in actuality they were simply going grocery shopping since they obviously do not have easy access to a shop. Kevin’s three girls delighted in the boat and at looking out at the ocean with Eve being particularly interested in the buoys. We were there about noon and the ferry out to Inishturk had left around eleven. Although I honestly don’t know if I could have handled the rocking of the waves that day as the water was insanely choppy with the brewing Atlantic storm. Instead, just as I had done before, I waved out to the island and could not do much more. We stayed for a bit while longer and the girls played on the rocks while I had a lovely solo photo taken with the Turk in the background. The wind felt as though it was going to blow me over, I had no clue how the little girls had not already been flung into the depths of the ocean in what felt like hurricane weather.











Soon though we headed back for the car and went to explore more. We drove to a beach and had spotted someone kite surfing off on a distant beach so we turned around and tried to locate where we could find the surfer. The roads in the area are well…fairly similar to the way they were probably in the 1800s. There is a slight amount of asphalt on them, but it is more of rocks and stones with the smoothness being comparable to the sea that day. They also make sudden turns taking you around constant blind corners, leading one to have white knuckles and mutter a few Hail Marys by the end of the journey. After a few wrong turns, we finally found ourselves at the right beach, where I was informed scenes from the Quiet Man were also filmed. We stood on the freezing, windy beach for a while and watched the kite surfer. The wind took his 8-meter long kite and whipped him around on the board he was attached to, he would fly in the air for a few seconds and then come crashing back into the water. Soon enough he was tangled and had to come back to shore so Kevin was lucky enough to launch him back out to sea when the surfer was ready. Eventually we were all wind-blown enough that we were hungry and ready to head in for lunch. We managed to make all the right turns and made it to the house.





For the afternoon we relaxed and played out in the wind for a bit. I was so tired from the previous day and simply trying to stand up while being outside that I needed a serious nap. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner and we had a wonderful meal. After dinner, we piled in the car for one more drive and we went down to another harbor with a beautiful view of Croagh Patrick in the clouds. From there, we journeyed through what I have found to be absolutely the most beautiful part of Ireland that I will ever see. If you have ever seen the Lord of the Rings or views of New Zealand, you will get the same scenes in Mayo--breathtakingly gorgeous. The mountains all hover over you and are being revealed every which way. There is also only one fjord in Ireland and in the midst of the lush green mountains is where it is found. Unfortunately with the weather I was not able to get a great glimpse at its beauty, but even in the inclement weather, I knew it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Sadly we turned back for the house although I could have sat out there for days. But more play was requested by the girls and I grew more tired. Eventually things started to wind down and after a few minutes of Eve’s favorite of Fairytopia, I was ready for bed. However, Kevin had a few different plans.







He wanted to take me into Louisburgh for a pint at McNamara’s and we hoped they would turn out to be relatives. When we walked in, I was surprised at how many people were actually out. It seemed that everyone had a long day and was looking to wind down with a drink. We talked with Kevin’s uncle for a bit who also lives just across the road from the house and then when the drink was finished, we moved down to another pub which was owned by another neighbor of his. Duffy’s was the smallest pub I have been to since I arrived in Ireland. It was roughly the size of my dining room back home. It was filled with a few tables and then stools at the bar. In the corner sat a man on his accordion and a man with a guitar. They played for a bit and then the singing started. However, it was not a group singing together, but rather a woman singing accapella. She sung a beautiful old song, which was an old fisherman’s song—her voice was gorgeous and reminded me of all that was Mayo. However, Kevin had said that I might have to sing a song of my own so I grew a bit nervous. I hurried with my pint in hopes that either I would gain more courage if I were to sing or that Kevin would get the hint that I was ready to go and would be able to skip out on the singing. Soon enough we were off though and we tried another pub down the street with another family name, Cronin. However, it was closed so we just headed home. Even though Louisburgh is small, it provided me with a sense of the true country people of Mayo, with the old men and their Guinness gathered around having their own gossip and then the women daintily standing having their own gossip. Overall I loved my night out in Louisburgh, even more so that everyone did not have to be made deaf with my singing voice. The wind that night was insane and forced me to put in my earplugs as I felt as though the house was literally going to blow over at any second.

In the morning, the wind was still howling away. We had breakfast and then went on another drive. We went and saw yet another harbor and as we pulled up, there were people in wetsuits out in the water. I sat there freezing wondering how in the world the people had the guts to wade out into the water, clearly I am not Irish because I would have found the conditions to be on par with a polar bear plunge. I just stood on the shore looking all American as Hannah jumped into the water for a solid half hour in her wetsuit. I don't think I would have even lasted half a minute. Everyone was shedding their layers, but I was quite content with my jacket and sweatshirt as the clouds were still lingering and then the rain began to fall. We then went into town and the girls were treated with a trip to the sweet shop which reminded me a great amount of myself going to Ben Franklin when I was younger and making a dollar turn into 100 pieces of candy. From there we stopped a playground and I would have been sincerely happy to stay in the warm car, but out we got and with the wind tearing my hair nearly off my head we stayed for a bit. Then we went back to the house for some lunch and we compared all of the different words that we change between here and home. From there we loaded up the car and drove to the train station, we said our good-byes and I was off on a lovely four hour train ride back to Dublin. What a Fourth of July!