You don't realize how much you miss the internet until you don't have it for a few days! Luckily, we found a great little place here in Clifden, right on the West Coast of the Emerald Isle. We woke up this morning in an ocean-view room (actually overlooking a bay I think) on Achill Island, which is off the West Coast a bit north of where we are here. We spent the morning driving the Island, which offered spectacular views of cliffs and the water below. We then continued down to Westport, an adorable town which had a few very nice wool and craft shops. From Westport we made it to Clifden in time for a great dinner set to Irish music.
As I said in my previous post, the last two days have included a lot of driving, but a lot of beautiful views as well. The Giant's Causeway was awesome -- it is the coolest rock formation; it looks like a fancy stone floor! We did a few miles of walking that day (Monday), both up a cliff at the Causeways and to get to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This Bridge was used by salmon fishermen to catch fish between the mainland and the little island it leads to. We finished the day at a B&B in Killybegs, a little fishing village West of Donegal.
Yesterday we first headed up to a cliff called Slieve Lieb, and then came back down through a variety of towns, stopping in shops along the way, and ending in Achill Island.
A picture may say a thousand words, but pictures won't do justice to the beautiful sites we have seen -- but I tried! Unfortunately, it would take too long to upload them with the connection I have now (not that I'm complaining!), but I will post them during the weekend at the latest. From home. Blah. ;c)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
On the road again. . .
Hello! Just a quick note to say that all is well, but we've been staying in B&Bs with no internet, and will most likely continue to do so. Only a few days left; then I will give the full summary! We've seen some beautiful landscapes and the cutest towns -- I can't believe I have to return to reality in only a few days! I hope all is well with everyone.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Oh Danny Boy. . .
Yes, I am coming to you today from Londonderry! I can now officially say that I've been to the UK as I am in Northern Ireland. But, before I get to Derry (as its known), I would like to comment on my last few days in Galway.
Mom and I had a very nice time, but what stood out was our theater experiences. On Friday, we went to a reading of a new play called The Home Front. This was my first time viewing a staged reading, so it was very interesting to watch. The actors were great, interacting with one another even from their chairs. The play was okay, although mom and I didn't get all of the jokes -- everyone else in the audience seemed to be part of the 'Galway theatre community.' The playwright was in the audience; he was very young -- just recently graduated from grad school I believe. I think that the experience itself was great. I loved that it gave a young writer a great opportunity to exhibit his work, and if I ever run or work for a theater company, I definitely want to incorporate something like this in our season.
Saturday we went to a completely different show -- we saw A Midsummer Night's Dream presented by an all-male, English theatre group called 'Propeller.' The director of this company wanted to take a new approach to Shakespeare, and that he does -- the cast members all have buzz cuts and none ever wear wigs. When they are playing female characters, they simply add a skirt or something over their while bodysuits. The director also wanted to add animation-like physical characteristics, so the actors are often hopping and creeping all over the stage. It was, once again, a very different theatrical experience for me, and of course was very enjoyable (they took some hysterical liberties towards the end!)
So this morning I said good-bye to Billy, Mary, Busby, and Galway, and mom and I headed up to Derry. The drive got more beautiful as we got further North, although Derry itself has seemed a very dreary place. Taking into account that it is Sunday and most shops are closed, it still seems like there are very few people around. We are staying near Bogside, the area where Bloody Sunday occurred (review your history!) Being right on the border of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, there is a long history of conflict here. We visited the museum and viewed the many murals commemorating the events of the 1960s and 70s. We then went into the walled city and looked around -- it was a beautiful view, but definitely had a creepy air about it! I was told by one of the professors at NUI Galway that there have been some recent conflicts here again, so we'll be staying in this evening! We actually just had a nice dinner, and I'm looking forward to a night to relax. Tomorrow we head to the coast to check out the Giant's Causeways!
Mom and I had a very nice time, but what stood out was our theater experiences. On Friday, we went to a reading of a new play called The Home Front. This was my first time viewing a staged reading, so it was very interesting to watch. The actors were great, interacting with one another even from their chairs. The play was okay, although mom and I didn't get all of the jokes -- everyone else in the audience seemed to be part of the 'Galway theatre community.' The playwright was in the audience; he was very young -- just recently graduated from grad school I believe. I think that the experience itself was great. I loved that it gave a young writer a great opportunity to exhibit his work, and if I ever run or work for a theater company, I definitely want to incorporate something like this in our season.
Saturday we went to a completely different show -- we saw A Midsummer Night's Dream presented by an all-male, English theatre group called 'Propeller.' The director of this company wanted to take a new approach to Shakespeare, and that he does -- the cast members all have buzz cuts and none ever wear wigs. When they are playing female characters, they simply add a skirt or something over their while bodysuits. The director also wanted to add animation-like physical characteristics, so the actors are often hopping and creeping all over the stage. It was, once again, a very different theatrical experience for me, and of course was very enjoyable (they took some hysterical liberties towards the end!)
So this morning I said good-bye to Billy, Mary, Busby, and Galway, and mom and I headed up to Derry. The drive got more beautiful as we got further North, although Derry itself has seemed a very dreary place. Taking into account that it is Sunday and most shops are closed, it still seems like there are very few people around. We are staying near Bogside, the area where Bloody Sunday occurred (review your history!) Being right on the border of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, there is a long history of conflict here. We visited the museum and viewed the many murals commemorating the events of the 1960s and 70s. We then went into the walled city and looked around -- it was a beautiful view, but definitely had a creepy air about it! I was told by one of the professors at NUI Galway that there have been some recent conflicts here again, so we'll be staying in this evening! We actually just had a nice dinner, and I'm looking forward to a night to relax. Tomorrow we head to the coast to check out the Giant's Causeways!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Video/info about Kilmainham
Here's a quick tour of Kilmainham's East wing -- this site is used in a lot of movies and even music videos as it is one of a few non-operational jails still standing.
Dubliner!
Well, maybe Joyce won't write about my experiences, but it was a great trip to the East Coast. It was incredibly busy though, and my body is aching from all of the walking, especially with my backpack. Still, I saw a LOT!
Once I arrived and got myself oriented, I headed out to Kilmainham Gaol, which is the jail where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising were held. Having studied the history of this event and its connections to society and literature, I really enjoyed my tour here. (Pics to come!) I next headed to Christ Church Cathedral, which was beautiful, and then I continued up to St. Michan's, one of the first churches built on the north side of the River Liffey. It is especially unique because of the crypt underneath it -- with well preserved human remains! I actually touched the finger bone of a Crusader for good luck! Unfortunately, no photos in the crypt. I then headed over to The Temple Bar, walked down Grafton Street (main shopping area), through St. Stephen's Green, and to my hotel on Leeson Street. After a little rest, I went for dinner and to the Abbey Theater to see The Rivals. It was a late 18th Century comedy, and was quite entertaining -- very well done. I especially enjoyed the playbill, because it had several articles about the play and even its political relevance. I love that theaters here often employ dramaturgs, who research and oversee the productions and usually write these types of articles. This is what Berit is studying to be.
Yesterday I began at St. Patrick's Church, and then took a walking tour of Trinity College and went into their old library to see some ancient manuscripts, including The Book of Kells. I was especially awed by the Long Hall, where thousands of old books and manuscripts are held. It was beautiful and smelled perfectly of old books. There were actually some students wearing gloves and masks looking at some of the books on a corner, which was cool to see. Also housed in this room was the oldest harp in the country -- this is the one depicted on some euro coins as well as in the Guinness logo. (funny story -- Guinness trademarked the logo before the government, so on the euro the harp had to be depicted backwards!) After Trinity, I continued to the National Library where there was an exhibition on W. B. Yeats. I especially liked the section discussing his writings in theater (of course!) I then went next door to the National Museum of History and Archeology to view the “bog bodies.” These are human remains from as long ago as 200 B.C.E. that were found naturally preserved in Ireland’s bogs. While none are complete, there were some amazing remains – a couple of the bodies had their skin still intact, although now it is black and rubbery! ANYWAY, I had a little extra time yesterday afternoon, so I sought out the Irish Jewish Museum (yes, it exists!) It is setup in an old row house that housed one of Ireland’s first synagogues upstairs. I thought the sanctuary was really cool. Once I finished my touring, I picked up a few souvenirs, had fish n’ chips at Leo Burdocks (which wasn’t as good as that here in Galway at McDonaghs), and headed up to meet my bus. I definitely feel accomplished in all that I did in two days!
I am happy to say that mom arrived this morning! We are headed out for the day – I will try to post pics and video from Dublin tonight!
Once I arrived and got myself oriented, I headed out to Kilmainham Gaol, which is the jail where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising were held. Having studied the history of this event and its connections to society and literature, I really enjoyed my tour here. (Pics to come!) I next headed to Christ Church Cathedral, which was beautiful, and then I continued up to St. Michan's, one of the first churches built on the north side of the River Liffey. It is especially unique because of the crypt underneath it -- with well preserved human remains! I actually touched the finger bone of a Crusader for good luck! Unfortunately, no photos in the crypt. I then headed over to The Temple Bar, walked down Grafton Street (main shopping area), through St. Stephen's Green, and to my hotel on Leeson Street. After a little rest, I went for dinner and to the Abbey Theater to see The Rivals. It was a late 18th Century comedy, and was quite entertaining -- very well done. I especially enjoyed the playbill, because it had several articles about the play and even its political relevance. I love that theaters here often employ dramaturgs, who research and oversee the productions and usually write these types of articles. This is what Berit is studying to be.
Yesterday I began at St. Patrick's Church, and then took a walking tour of Trinity College and went into their old library to see some ancient manuscripts, including The Book of Kells. I was especially awed by the Long Hall, where thousands of old books and manuscripts are held. It was beautiful and smelled perfectly of old books. There were actually some students wearing gloves and masks looking at some of the books on a corner, which was cool to see. Also housed in this room was the oldest harp in the country -- this is the one depicted on some euro coins as well as in the Guinness logo. (funny story -- Guinness trademarked the logo before the government, so on the euro the harp had to be depicted backwards!) After Trinity, I continued to the National Library where there was an exhibition on W. B. Yeats. I especially liked the section discussing his writings in theater (of course!) I then went next door to the National Museum of History and Archeology to view the “bog bodies.” These are human remains from as long ago as 200 B.C.E. that were found naturally preserved in Ireland’s bogs. While none are complete, there were some amazing remains – a couple of the bodies had their skin still intact, although now it is black and rubbery! ANYWAY, I had a little extra time yesterday afternoon, so I sought out the Irish Jewish Museum (yes, it exists!) It is setup in an old row house that housed one of Ireland’s first synagogues upstairs. I thought the sanctuary was really cool. Once I finished my touring, I picked up a few souvenirs, had fish n’ chips at Leo Burdocks (which wasn’t as good as that here in Galway at McDonaghs), and headed up to meet my bus. I definitely feel accomplished in all that I did in two days!
I am happy to say that mom arrived this morning! We are headed out for the day – I will try to post pics and video from Dublin tonight!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
