Second Time Around In Dublin

So we started the day off just like any other field trip, but this was different, this was our last field trip in Ireland.. WHAT? That means that the trip is almost done.. But we started off our time in Dublin at the Chester Beatty Library to see what of Chester's 60,000+ artifact collection was out.

This was the inside of the library, SO cool!!

Our tour guide Jean was so great, you could really tell that she was a huge fan of all that she talked to us about. One of my favorite parts about the entire tour was the Islamic section with the different Qur'an and all the detail. There was one print that was really interesting. It is the Awrangzib Hunts Nilgais. There wasn't an artist but it was made in India in 1660. The story behind it is that it is an image of the Mughal Emperor Awrangzib and the royal hunters hunting nilgais (which means "blue horse"). The symbol of the hunt in Islamic is big because it signifies strength and intelligence. And the background of the image is a landscape and as the background goes further, the bluer the mountains and land get. 

After we left the library we headed on over to Trinity College to get some grub and then to see the famous Book of Kells. But before that we took one of my favorite tours of the entire trip. We took the campus tour and learned some fun facts about the college and all those who go there. Like how a professor shot a gun at his students for throwing rocks at his window and then his students came back with their guns and a bullet eventually killed to professor, CRAZY! But out of all the different tours, this was the most fun! While taking a tour of the different buildings I noticed there were a lot of columns, specifically a lot of Corinthian columns all over campus.

Some arches and Corinthian columns

Then we entered the old library and saw THE Book of Kells! I might have taken a picture of it (with my flash OFF) which was against the rules but hey, I'm a rebel! Ha! The actual Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels of the New Testament and it was produced form the 6th to the 9th century. An illuminated manuscript is just a fancy way of saying that the writing is a work of art in itself, there is crazy detail in every letter written. It was really neat but the Long Room is was really amazed me to be honest. The Long Room is this long room right after the Book of Kells that has all the old books and artifacts, like Ireland's oldest harp, lining the entire room.

The Book of Kells

The barrel vaulted ceiling of the Lone Room

Ireland's oldest harp!!

After we finished at Trinity, we were released into Ireland. Cherie and I decided to stay a night in Dublin for our last weekend and then head back to Waterford to get some major homework done. And that my friends was the last field trip, tour, and weekend of my trip to Ireland.

Kilkenny

Today we started out on the bus, just like any other field trip day. We arrived at St. Canice Cathedral, one of Ireland's biggest cathedrals, in fact it is the second largest cathedral in Ireland. The cathedral dates back to the ninth century and the tower is one of the best preserved ninth century artifacts in Ireland. The cathedral is part of the state churches in Ireland but at one point it was a catholic church based on the populations' needs at the time. Just like a lot of cathedrals anywhere, this one is also in the shape of a cross. There were may different architectural styles but mostly it was very gothic with all the arches and vaulted ceiling.

Here is a mini model of the cathedral 

Some of the pointed arches

The vaulted cieling 

We first took a tour of the cathedral and listened to the history of the town of Kilkenny and how that effected the church. Then we went outside and some of us climbed the tower. Now I didn't but some of the girls in my class did. The tower was really tall and after hearing that it's from the ninth century, it's hard to believe it's in such a great condition. There were holes in the tower but not for the artillery, it's a church so there wouldn't be any use for archers, but the holes were there to let in some light.

THE TOWER

The little entrance to the tower, and you can see here that the entrance is a gothic arch

Then we moved on to Kilkenny Castle, we didn't actually tour the castle. Instead we went to a really neat modern art exhibit. It was called Point of no Return by Magnhild Opdol. The first room was filled with vintage postcard pictures of deer and the backgrounds in each postcard was blackened so that there was an emphasis on the deer. Some of the post cards showed the valiance and strength that deer have and some showed the frailty the animal has as well. The point of a lot of what Magnhild wanted us to see the different sides to the majestic and frail surroundings that we call earth.

In the next room sat a huge pile of pink donut boxes, stacked up high and in a precise manner. The point of this room was humor. The pink boxes were supposed to represent the pink donut boxes that cops would eat in her favorite tv show. She was trying to illustrate that art doesn't always have to be so serious and that there should be some humor and whim to art. This was my favorite out of the entire exhibit.

The next room had a hand drawn still from the movie Bambi, and the first room had a bronze cast of a Bambi plastic figure, so in this room the theme of the frailty and stillness of the land that is illustrated comes back around. But in this room there was a bronze cast of a melted down candle stick and some burnt matches. So the theme for this room is there is only one point in time that something has happened and that's what she captured.

The last room contained tables of bronze casted donuts, that reminded me of the donut boxes in the second room and then there were a variety of pictures of the woods hung around the room. This again brings us back to the fact that not all art has to be serious and the donuts bring back some of the humor we found in the second room. The woman giving us the tour said that the donuts were for sale and I thought it would be a really cool souvenir but then she said they are about $250, so I said no. Bummer but overall this was a really great day! 

Our Trip to Kerry

July 4, 2013
This past weekend was a lot of fun and a lot of traveling. Also it was July 4th, the birth celebration of America! We didn't do much to celebrate but it was still fun being with fellow Americans.

We traveled first to Lismore on the way to Kerry. Lismore is a small town in southern Ireland. The name Lismore comes from the Irish words "lis" meaning fort and "mor" meaning big, referring to the fort/hill right outside of town. Lismore was established by St. Carthage in the 7th century. There's even a cathedral in honor of St. Carthage. Even though we weren't able to really see it, that cathedral itself is very beautiful with the pointed-arch window and the buttresses. The cathedral was built in the 7th centruy and was first used as a monastery and for Celtic tombs. Now it is a cathedral that holds services and other learning opportunities for the people of Lismore. I really like the beautiful pointed-arch window in the front of the cathedral and the buttresses going up the tower for support.

Look at that Flying Buttress

This is the flying buttress view from Lismore Castle

After Lismore we moved on to Killarney to see the Muckross House. The Muckross House was built in 1843 and served the Herbert family as a cozy mansion with over sixty rooms readily available for guests and entertaining. The home was being partially restored when we were able to see it but it was still very beautiful. The basics of the house's architecture is Tudor style and has a couple post and lintels around the outer ways. The house was actually bought by Arthur Guinness in 1898 to preserve the surround land's beauty.

The beauty that Arthur Guinness wanted to preserve

July 6, 2013
On our way back to Waterford, we stopped by St. Mary's Cathedral. It is a grand cathedral built to inspire and to teach those inside through stained glass stories as well as through scripture. The cathedral opened in August 1855 to honor the Virgin Mary. Mary is seen through out many different pieces of art in the cathedral. She is always in blue so she is very easy to point out. The cathedral has grand pointed-arches and is in the shape of a cross, like many other cathedrals. It also has a ribs added for stability and a beautiful rose window. By far this is my favorite cathedral we have been too, even though it isn't the most grand like Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, but the atmosphere and the almost calmness of the atmosphere created by the space and openness of the nave.

Beautiful

RIBS

Here in"The Nativity" Mary is depicted in blue

The rose window

 

Enniscorthy and the Rebellion

June 25, 2013
Enniscorthy- The National 1798 Rebellion Centre

This museum was one of the best that I've been to. There were plenty of eye opening exhibits of the Rebellion and the attempts of the Irish to obtain independence from the British. One of the bloodiest battles of the Rebellion was the Battle of Vinegar Hill on June 21st 1798, "the longest day". Many of the rebels lost their lives trying to fight for not only their lives but for their idependence. Over 1,500 men, women, and children lost their lives on one of the bloodiest battles in Irish history.  

Our tour guide showing us different battle weapons like the pike (long thrusting spear), the riffle, and the hand gun.

Replica of the battle showing the Loyalists and the Rebels

There was an old windmill that the rebels would cram loyalists enemies in and eventually kill all of the prisoners.

This is the view from the top of the hill. It's so crazy to see such a beautiful view but to also experience the chill in the air of the past. Innocent people, women and children died here, slaughtered by the Crown's army. It's just insane to even try to imagine or even picture what that day would have felt like. Vinegar Hill was so vital because it was the perfect place to set up camp for the rebels. As you can see there is a beautiful view for many miles making it easy to see the enemy coming and to be able to go down hill in battle. But the British out numbered and out armed the men and the Irish rebels were forced to retreat through a gap between Loyalist troops.

The Fight for the Bridge

The Fight for the Bridge during all the mix of battle between the rebels and the loyalists was very important because of the importance of the landmark itself. The bridge was a strategic landmark that could allow either an advancement into town just off of Vinegar Hill or the protection of the city. The rebels tried to hold of the Crown's troops and were successful in allowing the escape for those on Vinegar Hill during the slaughter. Sadly though, those who were defending the bridge did not survive.

   

These are photos of the videos playing in the museum showing the differences between social classes in the midst of war. Many were suffering seen in the bottom screen but those in the top screen with money had not a care in the world, their lives carried on the same way they were used to. The wealthy would have balls while the poor warked hard and were left with little. "For the elite it was an age of elegance, and for every section of the community an age of insecurity". (Edith Mary Johnston) I still find it strange that war doesn't seem to touch the elite. It's not just the fight the Irish went through for independence but it feels as though every time war comes about, the wealthy aren't effected whereas the community is drastically effected.

First Impressions

Sorry for updating you guys so late...but here it is!
June 20, 2013
Getting to the airport was a little stressful...We were running a little late and I didn't want to be that kid who everyone is waiting on. BUT we made it and I wasn't even the last one to get there. Going through security wasn't very exciting but I did get to meet one of my apartment mates, Sara. Also I'm going to be sharing the apartment with such an amazing girl...Cherie! I'm so glad she is here experiencing all of Ireland with me!

These were our faces when arriving in Ireland!

June 21, 2013
Getting to Ireland wasn't really a breeze but I was able to sleep about two hours on the plane which apparently is a lot more than what most from our group could. As soon as we got off the plane and on the bus, we were busy.

This is my room, it's not very big but it's really cozy

First we went back to The Waterford Institute of Technology to see where we would be living the next five weeks. I am in the Nuir House (named after one of Ireland's famous rivers) and our apartment isn't so bad, in fact it's better than anywhere I've stayed abroad recently!



 

This is my tiny, low water pressure shower

It took me about an hour to try to figure out how to use my shower and then I asked around. It took a while but I finally was able to take a shower with warm water instead of freezing cold water. There's several things here that I'm slowly learning how to work but soon I'll be a pro. Strangely enough my shower is in something kind of like a nook behind my bathroom door.










After getting an hour to settle and put our stuff down we were off again on our first adventure here in Ireland! First we headed to downtown Waterford and went on a tour of the Medieval Museum. There was so much history behind Ireland even before the country was a country. Waterford was established in 914 AD, so it's been around for a long while. Ireland was settled by Vikings in the 10th century and in fact one of the main parts of downtown Waterford is called the Viking Triangle. Waterford is oldest area of continuous urban settlement in Ireland.

http://waterfordtreasures.com/medieval-museum/

This is what out tour guide told us is very old version of what a "power point presentation" would look like back many many years ago. This presentation was shown to Henry III, king of England, to help gain his support and to show him that he was well respected by the people of medieval Waterford.

http://waterfordtreasures.com/medieval-museum/

Here is one of the museum's most important pieces on display. These robes are the only pre-Reformation vestments to survive that come from Waterford's Christ Church cathedral. They appear to be gold and that's because they actually are. They are all embroidered with gold thread and have biblical stories depicting hope. These vestments were only worn by priests at the time and the stories etched in each robe was to positively influence all those who saw them.


Later we toured Waterford's most well known land mark, Reginald's Tower. Reginald's Tower is one of the oldest and stable Tower. It was around when the vikings came in the 10th century and was used for many things. It has with stood war, time, and people as well as some restoration. The vikings used the great advantages the tower had by flanking two rivers and having the ability to easily trade via ocean. They used it mainly though as a fort/look out. Over time it was used as a min (making coins), a fort, a prison, a home, and now finally a museum. The tower is so old that the mortar that holds the brick together is made from animal blood, animal feces, animal hair, mud, and human hair...gross, but that's all they had. It was really cool seeing the Quays (pronounced "keys') from the windows in the wall.You can also see cannons stuck in the 10 foot thick walls outside the tower. Crazy how old the building is and how it's still standing just like the very old City Waterford (not to be mistaken for County Waterford...completely different thing).

June 22, 2013
Today we started off with a great breakfast provided by WIT and then off we went back downtown Waterford for another day of adventure! We started off going to the famous House of Waterford Crystal. That place was one classy factory. We got to go on a tour in the factory and we actually got to see the people blowing, carving, and finishing the beautiful pieces.

The factory first opened in 1783 but things got a little rocky. Even though the high demand of blown glass was great for business and there were lots of people employed as blowers, cutters, designers, and polishers, the business soon found it self in a rut. But that rut ended in1955 when the business made its first profits. That's crazy that it took so long but there were some wars and some succession that happened along the way that lead up to the reestablishment of the House of Waterford Crystal. But more recently, the factory in Waterford did a huge down sizing because of the decline in demand for the fine pieces so the House relocated to downtown Waterford and left about 15,000 locals jobless. Now the House of Waterford Crystal stands tall on the Quays and produces the biggest amount of crystal than any other Waterford Crystal factories.

Before We Go

Wow, I can't believe I'm leaving in NINE DAYS! This trip is going to be something more than just being in the classroom and studying, it's going to be experiencing the culture, the people, and the pubs. I've been to Ireland before a few years ago and now I have another chance to go back. I think that's why out of all the places I could go, I chose Ireland. Studying abroad is a very unique opportunity to go to another country and to really experience not just the tourist sites but also to local favorites.
Being able to go for five whole weeks is going to be a bit crazy but also crazy good. I am probably most nervous about the traveling, just keeping up with my money, my passport, and also myself.  Also I'm a little nervous for the course work and the tests that I will have to study for because after all my education is why I'm there. But other than just the always lingering fear of getting lost in a foreign country that's about as much as what I'm nervous about. But let me tell you what I am really excited about the chance to live in another country for FIVE WEEKS!!! Also I am so stocked to be experiencing Ireland with a good friend who is also going. Over all the biggest thing I am most excited about is all the field trips we are going to be taking with our classes and what I am going to get to lean about the culture I am being thrown into. This trip is going to be more than just and amazing experience, it's going to be life changing.