Poetry and a Fire

Wool socks, tea, blanket, and a fire: this is how I will be spending the rest of my day. It is FREEZING outside. Wind, rain, and hail complete the package of a not-so-delightful day.  Regretfully, I have "turned to the books" and began some much needed class readings.  As much as I hate to admit it, however, I'm actually enjoying this "me-time" and the required poems of Seamus Heaney!  Heaney is a welcome change to Yeats, in my opinion.  Yeats tended to paint a stark and negative picture of Ireland, especially in Dubliners.  Heaney, on the other hand, celebrates Irish land and tradition in a way I can truly follow and appreciate.  Blackberry Picking and Digging express the Irish past and present in a beautiful way.  Curled up by the fire, I'm loving Heaney...be proud Dr. Reed!

Saint Patrick's Day Celebration

Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland: doesn't get much better than that!  The entire experience was surreal,  full of life and energy.  Fireworks, Irish mass, parades, and pubs: we made the most of the weekend.  Much like the 4th of July in America, St. Patty's Day is a day (well weekend for many) of great national pride and celebration. The Mercyhurst group was center-stage in the annual parade and I was amazed by the amount of people who lined the streets! Young and old, it felt like everyone in town was out to see the show. Mass (before the parade) was also packed, and almost completely spoken in Irish! I loved experiencing the rich heritage and seeing everyone decked out: a true testiment to the Irish pride we read about in class! The fireworks over the water in the key were beautiful, and did not disappoint. You could tell what a special event it all was, and the genuine love/care that went into planning all the day's festivities. The kids and the elderly, along with the drunken youth, all embodied Saint Patrick's Day and showed us a grand time.

Parade Time!

Mercyhurst University Represent 

Craic: a good drug

Irish Craic: it isn't a drug, it isn't illegal, BUT it is addictive. What is it then?...Irish craic is a good time, entertainment, fun, amusing.  Irish craic is "the good stuff".  Good food, music, dancing, chatting, singing, a few beers, and joy: this is the drug or "craic" the Irish live on.  We have been fortunate to experience this "craic" and look forward to finding it over and over again...we have become true addicts!

Here is a taste:

Ambassador Status

Mercyhurst University's roots are in Ireland, stemming from the Sister's of Mercy.  On Sunday, we were very blessed to get an inside look of the House on Baggot Street and see where it all began.  I will claim some Ambassador-nerd status here, but the experience was one I will never forget! We were given an unofficial tour of the very halls and steps Sister Catherine McAuley walked (she founded the sisters).  To see her teacup and the room where she laid was a very cool experience and put the information we as ambassadors must learn into reality.  We were even given access to Catherine McAuley's grave. An odd, but wonderful, experience for sure!  The hospitality the sisters are known for was evident in our impromptu tour and overall feeling of the house.  We finished with a peek inside the chapel, and ending up chatting with the old Irish people there for traditional Irish mass! Overall, it was a unique and special experience for everyone...even though we complained and moaned the entire walk there, we all agree it was well worth it.

Dublin

The group destination of the weekend was Dublin!  It was a whirlwind of beauty, activity, tourist, locals, music, rugby, and rain: I loved every moment of it!  The mix of history and modern life in this city captivated me.  The tours and informational stops were great, I enjoyed seeing the Leinster House and other historical sites. I must admit, however, that my favorite time was the time spent simply walking the streets and watching the happenings around me: The people and culture fasinated me! Flower stands and pastry shops to designer stores and spar markets...there was everything! I met people from France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark!  It was all so new and exciting that I don't think I slept, I just wanted to keep going.  The hussle and bussle of the city streets were addictive and electrifying and, as a fashion major, full of style inspiration. I did drag myself off the streets and out of the beautiful shops to view the William B. Yeats display, which was very interesting. It was great to view some of this author's belongings and just get a sense of the man we have been reading all about and disecting his poetry.  Overall, the Dublin experience is one I will never forget...and I hope to return too! The city is wonderful, but we all came to appreciate "our little village": sleep deprived and starved, we couldn't wait for Dungarvan and its coziness.  On to the next adventure!

Say What?

"Tree Terty": we have been saying this over and over again, but it never loses its charm.  For some reason, it tickles "us Americans" to death when an Irish lad (or las) says this phrase.  Or any other "th" word for that matter.  Only being in Dungarvan, Ireland a few days, we have already picked up some of the lingo. Listed below are some "say what?" moments I have had in the past few days in my new home.

"Half-past nine" = 9:30
"Bob" = Bucks
"Orange Juice with Bits" = OJ with Pulp
"Chips" = French Fries
"Are you ok?" = What do you want to drink?
"Bonnet" = hood of car

More to come!
 

Mercyhurst Gang

The Mercyhurst Gang

Looking pretty good after an 8hr flight and 6hr time difference! Jet Lag can't slow us down!