Weather here affects just about everything and is constantly changing. But one thing you can count on during the spring season is storms. We’ve been through several storms, but Storm Jorge forced us all to be adaptable during this weekend’s field trip to Connemara National Park and Croagh Patrick. Our first stop was at the Patrick Pearse Cottage. During our classes, I’ve come to recognize Patrick Pearse as the leader of the Easter Risings. But he was much more and the preservation of his cottage is a great reminder of this. Patrick believed that the suppression of Gaelic language and culture was abhorrent and pushed for the children of Ireland to be taught both English and Gaelic. He was also an accomplished author inspired by the beauty of the Connemara region where his cottage is located.
After this, we knew Storm Jorge would be coming in soon and inhibit us from climbing Croagh Patrick, so we skipped over several other activities planned along the way and booked it to our hostel. We dropped our bags and started up the mountain. This was the mountain that St. Patrick was said to have climbed and then fasted at for 40 days and nights. Each year in July, a pilgrimage is made by a priest and those that wish to attend the Mass at the top of the mountain. The hike was definitely a challenge for all of us. The trail started out beautifully with a small stream, waterfalls, and large rocks to clamber over. As you went higher, the trail got steeper with more rocks then plateaued around the halfway point. Then things got really interesting with lots of loose rocks and a 35-degree angle to climb. At this point, the mist had overtaken us, so we were soaked but still sweating despite the cold. The summit was slightly disappointing due to the lack of visibility but we took our pictures and started down. Our efforts were finally rewarded at the halfway point when the clouds parted and gave us a view of the lake and valley down below for just two minutes. We were all exhausted after this hike so we showered, went out for dinner and passed out at our hostel soon after.
The beginning of the trail 
The five that made it to the top 
The church where services are held 
Views when the skies cleared 
Crouch Patrick behind me 
Storm Jorge hit its hardest the next day so a lot of our plans were thwarted so we could make it back to the cottages before roads flooded. I was grateful we were able to do Croagh Patrick the day before because it would have been impossible to do on Saturday. We were able to make one quick stop at the Museum of Country Life. This museum is dedicated to remembering the way of life in rural Ireland including education, traditions, farming techniques, and basic household instruments. The country girl in me came out when I saw the horse harnesses made completely out of straw. I was so intrigued by how strong the braided straw had to be in order to allow the horse to pull the cart or plow from place to place.
Cultural comparisons
Having been in Ireland for about 3 weeks now, I feel that I have enough knowledge of the country to start comparing the culture, people, and ideas to the U.S. None of the differences I’ve noticed thus far are necessarily right or wrong in either country, people just have different mindsets and points of view.
People
People here aren’t afraid to talk about the big topics we tend to avoid in the U.S. They’re very blunt and ask for your opinions straight away. While at a pub in Spiddal last week, I was at the bar and was asked by a local with no preamble, “So what do you think about Donald Trump?” I guess I look and sound pretty American. The people I’ve met so far are straightforward and don’t always mess around with the fluff of a conversation. If they want to talk to you about something, they’ll bring it up right away. It’s definitely made me a little more blunt as well. Instead of apologizing for everything or trying to mask my ideas and opinions, I’ve begun trying to be more open about the things I’m thinking and feeling; especially as I grow through this experience.
They’re also very trusting and friendly; dare I say, rivaling our good old Nebraska nice? Anyone passing you on the sidewalk, whether driving or walking, will smile and say hello or the classic one finger wave. Life seems to move a little more slowly here as well. America is very much about getting things instantly and completing them quickly and efficiently. In Ireland, time generally seems to be more of a guideline than a hard line. Just because something is “supposed” to start at 9:30 AM doesn’t mean it actually will. They like to talk and be social so if something gets delayed by a few minutes for the sake of conversation, it’s no big deal.
Driving
They drive on the left side of the road! Mentally, I know this. But sometimes when we’re on the bus making a left turn, I still have a mild moment of panic because it feels as if we’re pulling into oncoming traffic. But then I realize I’m the one in the wrong and this is the norm here. But not having a car is definitely something I’ve struggled to get used to. I miss my car and the freedom that you have to come and go as you please. Instead, we have to walk (which isn’t really a big deal) or wait for a bus going to Galway or Spiddal. When we ran out of basically every food item in our cottage last week, it wasn’t a simple five minutes of ‘jump in the car, get a few groceries, and come home.’ It was about an hour of walking to and from the store plus the time spent in the store.
Nature
Oooh, I love nature. Living on the coast creates a whole different set of animals and plant life to learn about and observe. Even though it’s technically winter, the plant life is still a vibrant green and I can’t wait for spring to bring the full radiance of the flowers and grasses to fruition. I’ve really appreciated the use of natural elements in all the buildings and fences. They seem to have more of an appreciation and communion with nature rather than domination over it. An example would be the use of rocks and hedges as fences rather than using wood and barbed wire fencing. This, in addition to the moss and vines growing on everything; fences, trees, houses, and the stone walls, makes even the most industrial buildings look like part of the landscape. It’s a beautiful mixture of wild and orderly at the same time.
The walk to the ocean 
Miscellaneous
Rather than saying “welcome to Dublin Castle,” they use “ you are very welcome to Dublin Castle” as a greeting rather than a response. The first time I heard this, it threw me off a little but I’ve come to love being welcomed to all the places we visit in such a sweet and endearing way.
Ranch doesn’t exist here. The first time we asked a waitress in Dublin for ranch, she gave us a very confused look. But I think we’ve discovered something even better. Garlic sauce. All the girls in Cottage 4 loveeee garlic so being able to dip our “crisps” (fries) in the garlic sauce was a stellar discovery. It also goes very well on fish! This next weekend, we will be heading to Northern Ireland for an extended trip so tune back in next week!
Kylee
And She's Everywhere 