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Background: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.

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By trex
November 5th 2008

A chance for change . . .

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Rosa sat so that Martin could walk . . . Martin walked so that Obama could run . . . Obama ran so that our children could fly!

Its 5:25AM here in Ireland. Brian has been watching the election coverage on the laptop since midnight our time while my mom sent texts with every update as each state’s decision was made. Her texts came in seconds before Brian told me similar information, and with each state deciding on change, our anticipation grew more and more. And when the text came through that Obama was our president, and tears came to my eyes as Brian showed me coverage of people cheering, uniting, and embracing around the world, one particular thought came to my mind that drove me to grab my [View Full Entry]

By trex
November 2nd 2008

Working at An Pucan

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

An Pucan

I know I’ve been behind in my writing once again, and I do apologize. Its funny when life gets in the way and all the little things you want to do to remember what you’ve done have to be put on the wayside until you stop enjoying the moment you’re in. Ya know? :) I’m currently sitting in the Barr an Chaladh (pronounced “bar nah holla”) enjoying my Sunday evening by listening to some local folks play Irish music while Brian bartends. Its quite lovely. So since my last blog, Brian and I have both started working at our local pub, [View Full Entry]

By trex
November 2nd 2008

Family and Friends

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Mi familia

Two weeks ago, my mom and my sister came to join Brian and myself in Ireland after their first stops in New York and Florence and Chrissy’s continuation of her trip to Cape Town and Lasutu, Africa. A few days after they arrived, my best friend and roommate/common law roommate :) of seven years, also made her way into Galway to visit. Being away from people I love so dearly for almost two months has definitely been taxing. But to see them in the new place I call home brought a joy I have never experienced. I felt proud of where [View Full Entry]

Costello road! I actually found it when I was lost on the way home from school!

By trex
November 2nd 2008

The Tale of the Lost Ring

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

This one needed its own entry as I go into "tale" mode . . . so after Cheryl, Brian, and I left the horse races, cold, tired, and no richer than when we arrived, I realized something terrible. I took off my gloves at the grocery store while Brian ran in to pick up house supplies and realized that one of my rings was gone. Now, most of you know I wear a ring on almost every finger. But this ring had particular significance as it was one that my father gave to my mother when they were first dating. It [View Full Entry]

By Axel and Laurie
October 22nd 2008

Day 7: Connemara

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara

Walk on Water Here
Laurie's Favorite Sign in Ireland. Perhaps this is the signt of modern miracles?????

Our touring day in the Burren highlighted something that we noticed on our very first day in Ireland: the odd system of road signage. On our first day, we observed Laurie’s favorite sign: Walking on Water. The road signs, though, proved even more intriguing. Other than the fact that many intersections have no signage whatsoever and that many small country roads are not numbered, the signs that are present are wholly inconsistent. No two signs seem to agree on something as basic as the spelling of town names. The town we stayed in while in County Clare was variously spelled as [View Full Entry]

By Schaaz
October 22nd 2008

Bliss

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Aran Islands

Not going to type a whole lot, for it is after 1 am here, and I have to be up and on a ferry by half 8. What a day it's been....the Aran islands are insanely beautiful. I'm kinda ad that we have to leave tomorrow, I could stay here for weeks. To sum it up: -Got on the ferry that brought us here thismorning not feeling so well, nearly had my first physical seasick episode. -Hired a bike (again!) and cycled around most of the island -Stood on a cliff edge that dropped hundreds of feet straight down into certain [View Full Entry]

By Schaaz
October 21st 2008

Forever altered

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

I am recovering from the most amazing night ever. I love Galway. We went to the Quay pub last night to see live music, hoping to mix with locals and to drink lovely fresh Guinness. The music was unreal. 4 guys who just kept playing one amazing trad hit after another. I asked them if they could play "Star of the County Down", but not all of them knew it. The singer asked where I was from, and the next thing I knew they were dedicating a set to me, their friend from Ontario. "Black Velvet Band" and "The Irish Rover" [View Full Entry]

By trex
October 16th 2008

Galway International Oyster Festival

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

yay oysters!

So technically the Oyster Festival was September 25th-28th but life has been a little busy as you can well imagine. So, every year people from around the world flock to Galway to witness the International Oyster Festival, which is centered around the Oyster Opening Competition and Pearl Competition. The Oyster Opening Competition is exactly what it sounds like. Every participating country competes to find the fastest oyster opener and then they come to Galway to find the worldwide champion. The Pearl competition is a beauty pageant to decide who is the “Pearl” of the festival, [View Full Entry]

By trex
October 16th 2008

Life and times in Galway . . .

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Photo 6

Ok . . . so now for a complete update of life in Galway. The Oyster Festival was just a teaser for those of you who don’t like to read too much of what we’re doing but just want to see cute pictures and know that we’re still alive. Well . . . we are . . . and here’s more . . . Living in Galway So life at Studio 54 consists of daily adventures into Eyre Square to sit in the park and enjoy the brief moments of sunshine, nightly excursions into the local Pubs (The Quays and the [View Full Entry]

By trex
October 6th 2008

Tales from Studio 54 . . .

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Studio 54

Its been a few weeks, so I figure now would be a good time to tell a few of the hopefully delightful but always hilarious tales Brian and I have been living here at Studio 54. Since before I left, Jenny, Cory and I had taken to watching “Are You Afraid of the Dark” on the awesome ripped off copies we received from Canada (thank you internet!) I will now proceed with the stories by titling them all with the “Are You Afraid of the Dark” beginnings. The Tale of the Mouse in the Oven Cheryl if you’re reading this, stop [View Full Entry]

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