Ring 'O' Kerry

So I spent the weekend touring the Ring of Kerry, and I had so much more fun than I actually thought I would! Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE Ireland, but I was a little wary of yet another bus tour...

Friday afternoon we left for Killarney to change buses en route to Cahersiveen, Ireland. (Caher=fort, Sive=little girl's name). Along the way, we saw all types of Irish countryside, including farms, mountains, lakes, rivers, islands, and the sea. Between snapping pictures like a madwoman and taking cat naps with my mouth wide open and my head smacking the window, I managed to find time to just take in my surroundings and really appreciate them for what they are: beautiful, historic, breath-taking..the list goes on and on.

Friday night we had a delicious meal at the Ring of Kerry hotel in Cahersiveen; we topped the night off with a talk from one of the locals who grew up in Cahersiveen in the 50s, and we watched Irish dancing with the stars.

Saturday morning we woke up just in time for a quick breakfast before heading out the door for our day tour. We started the day off by driving onto Valentia Island, where we took a nice hike up to the highest point on the island and took some AWESOME pictures (see photos above). While we were at the top of the island (it took us a good half an hour just to hike up to the top), it of COURSE started monsooning on us, so my roommate Mo and I sprinted down the mountain like crazy people. By the time we got to the bottom, the rain had stopped. Typical Irish weather...

From Valentia Island we went to the Skellig informational center where we learned about the Skellig islands and the dedicated monks who inhabited the rocky crags in total isolation many centuries ago. From there we took several one-way skinny roads that looked like bike-paths up to the slate quarry on Valentia Island, and then back down to a beach with the lonely remains of a once-magnificent castle. I managed to take more pictures of my converse in the tide than I did of actual people...don't judge.

After lunch and a power nap, I spent the rest of the day exploring Cahersiveen (including the famous church built for Daniel O'Connell). All in all it was a grand day, full of good craic :)

Sunday morning: We woke up early and went on a 45 minute walk up to the stone forts in Cahersiveen (hence the name of the city). The forts were DEFINITELY worth the walk-they were SO cool!! You could climb all the way to the top of the forts, and the insides were intricately designed with steps and little tunnels and things. It was awesome. Just as Mo and I made it to the top of the fort for some good pictures, another MONSOON rolled in and managed to soak us through and through. But what can I say? It wouldn't be Ireland without a bit of rain to keep you company.

We had soup and sandwiches back at the hotel for lunch before we departed for Limerick. We went a different route back and saw even more beautiful scenery. Honestly, just when you think you've seen it all, something even prettier comes along. I love love love Ireland.

This week I'm trying to get a handle on school--I've got a lot of things coming up:

Biochemistry lab exam

Physiological basis of human behavior paper

Modern Irish poetry paper

20th century Spanish culture paper

and more interesting assignments including a poetry recitation:

St. Mary Magdalene Preaching at Marseilles

by Eilean Ni Chuilleanain

Now at the end of her life she is all hair-

A cataract flowing and freezing-and a voice

Breaking loose from the loose red hair,

The secret shroud of her skin:

A voice glittering in the wilderness.

She preaches in the city, she wanders

Late in the evening through shaded squares.

The hairs on the back of her wrists begin to lie down

And she breathes evenly, her elbows leaning

On a smooth wall. Down there in the piazza,

The boys are skimming on toy carts, warped

On their stomachs, like breathless fish.

She tucks her hair around her,

Looking beyond the game

To the suburban marshes.

Out there a shining traps the sun,

The waters are still clear,

Not a hook or a comma of ice

Holding them, the water-weeds

Lying collapsed like hair

At the turn of the tide;

They wait for the right time, then

Flip all together their thousands of sepia feet.

This weekend's adventure is a surprise--I'll update soon ;)

Until then:

May brooks and trees and singing hills

Join in the chorus too,

And every gentle wind that blows

Send happiness to you.

Lindsey aka Shminsey