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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 JessRK
August 10th 2006

Tweet, Babloons and lost yesterday

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

notice the knee? she might even be better at it than me...

Hey all... well... it's been a whirlwind, unexpected week in Galway... I guess that's how it happens. I intented on only staying the weekend and one thing led to another. Thus, the theme of Galway that sucks so many people in! ---------------------------------------- First... Cassie... just keep playing and listening! I feel very lucky to, not only have a session every night, but be playing and have SO MUCH music all day long. it's really insane and I don't know what I'll do without it at home... we'll have to play more and more, k? Miss you too. Ma... sometimes I couldn't [View Full Entry]

By Karaboo
August 6th 2006

Last of Quito and onto Ireland

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara

Giant Tortoises
On Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos

Hey all, I am in Ireland!! Just saying that makes me tired. What a long long long trip. We got up at 4 am in Quito and I arrived in Dublin about 1 am Ecuador time the next morning. Fortunately it was about 8:30 am when I got in so it was light and I had the whole day to explore and try to find a place to stay. Which unfortunately took me ages. I hadn't thought that every single hostel in all of Dublin would be booked. But they were, at least nearly. I was lucky I guess. I stopped [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
August 4th 2006

Unexpected side trip, The Boys on Bofin &, yes, you guessed it... back "home"

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

westport churct

Well! Where to start... (by the way, when I specifically address people here, it's because they have left a comment on the previous entry... so, I like to respond... you can see the comments if you go back an entry)... Nessa... yes, I am sure you were waiting. Now that I have realized what's going on though, I certainly have a better sense of it! I can be a little more invisible (yes ma) if I wish to. That certainly was the case this week! Denise... oh i think you might be in Galway here now! I hope so! yeah! And... [View Full Entry]

By Cobbun
July 29th 2006

Galway Bay

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Travelled through some very spectacular Irish countryside yesterday visited Bunratty Castle then up the coast past some very high cliffs and through the Burren to Galway bay we are all enjoying the experience and today we have a couple of hours free time so I have found a nice internet cafe to update the blog. Thanks for the message Robin Good to hear from you Leigh we are always thinking of you and Jane am sure you will be coping well. Did a tour of Galway Bay last night and had a great dinner after Trafalgar are really looking after us [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
July 23rd 2006

Parade!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

parade 1

Ok so how many parades have I been to in my life? Yeah. I love them... all of you who know me know I love them... but this one... uh... how creative, fun, full of energy... you name it. Like none other. It was the Arts Festival Parade in Galway and it just kicked ass. The costumes were so fantastic, the music kept ya hoppin', everyone was always smiling, the kids were laughing, the preformers were having a blast. How perfect... Francisca... that was fun! Headed to Achill... Smiles [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
July 21st 2006

Drumshambo!!!!!

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

Jess, Elaine & Me

Ah what a whirlwind week it has been... absolutely amazing. (first... Paul... go back a few entries to Inis Oirr and there is a picture of me in a session! lying huh? ha!) So... I returned to Galway (as you know) with Elaine and ended up staying with her. The first night here was very low-key, but so fun. Her roomate myself and Elaine headed out for some tunes and a couple drinks to return in for an early night. The next day the streets of Galway were buzzin' away because it marked the beginning of the arts festival. I headed [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
July 15th 2006

Small world...

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

beautiful church I passed on my walk to and from the campsite every day

Well... what a nice morning. The last day of classes... everyone was so nice... we had a little mini recital... just wonderful. My teacher, Oliva, is just amazing. She will be at Queen Maeve Summer School in Sligo Town in August and has agreed to give me a couple private lessons while we are there. That will be amazing. She was very supportive of me taking a week off from classes to absorbe what I have learned during this craziness! Needless to say, you would be shocked at what I've learned over the past 2 summer schools. It's amazing... I love [View Full Entry]

By samgratch
June 28th 2006

No more Snakes on a Plane

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

It's been a while, but we're back to the bloggin'. We arrived in Galway (the opposite side of Ireland from Dublin) yesterday and have had quite a little trip getting here! First off, we got to the airport and picked up Jesse's luggage (although she's still wearing the same panties and sandals), picked up the rental car, and started driving on the wrong side of the street! Without any glasses! WHERE'S THE ROAD!?! So that happened. The first day out we went to Glendalough, an ancient monastic site an hour south of Dublin. We hiked a little and had an all [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
June 26th 2006

Lunasa!

Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway

Lunasa

Oh my goodness! They were unbelievable... I never knew... I just never knew a show could be like that. SMALL venue (MAYBE 100 people), the happiest people on stage I HAVE EVER seen, full of energy, stomping feet, yelling and "whoop" "yeee" ever few seconds... just ... speachless. I met some fantastic people yesterday. Before the show, talked for almost 3 hours with a 19 old, John, from Cork. How nice and funny was he. He might be right... Cork people are a different breed and so freakin' nice! We had fun and then I went over to Roisin Dubh (pronounced [View Full Entry]

By Ducky
June 25th 2006

Farewell Galway! tear (Congratulations Kevin and Adrianne!!!)

Europe » Ireland » County Galway

Baby Swans
There are tons for swans in Ireland!

Well I am packed up and ready to make our next move. Today we leave Galway and travel about 3 ½ hours to spend the next week in Dublin. There we will be studying subjects from the Easter Rising to the modern day Ireland. There is going to be a lot to do in a short period of time, but I am hoping there is enough time to get my work done and at least get a taste of Dublin. Then Saturday eleven of us will be flying to London to meet up with our teachers and one other student for [View Full Entry]