Blogs from County Cork, Ireland, Europe - page 34

Hello! We're on lunch break from orientation over at UCC, so I decided to set up this blog rather than put together the promised email list. Due to an unfortunate memory lapse, I have totally forgotten my camera cord at home in Ohio, so I won't be able to post photos until it is shipped here (I was going to buy one, but it was 45 Euro!). After two separate grocery shopping trips, there is finally enough food in our apartment that our kitchen feels like a REAL kitchen. I picked up some delicious smoked salmon, rice cakes, chocolate digestives, and a bunch of other stuff. Tesco is a fabulous grocery store... like Kroger, but with better snack food. I still haven't QUITE wrapped my mind around the fact that I am here for five months, ... read more

So after a years worth of being on a plane, being delayed, missing my flight, and having to wait 4 extra hours; I am finally in Cork. Its dark, so I didn't see much but it seems to be a mix between chicago and London. It seems HUGE but I've heard that after a short while it becomes really small and accessible. Can't wait! I have orientation tomorrow and hopefully will get a chance to see some of the city. So all I can say for now is that it is FREAKING COLD!!!!!! I was told it was -5 degrees C. In my book thats WAY too cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently its the coldest it has ever been here in 50 years. ok no bday drink for bekah, im too tired. ireland was enough of a present. off ... read more

Days 3 to 4 have taken us right along the southern coastline. Within minutes of driving out of every major city we have hit lucious countryside which makes the long, long drives really nice. We were up and out of Wexford early to make a few pitt stops along the way. First stop was the Johnstown Castle and the clear but cold morning made for a perfect photography day. I was completley caught up with the mirror images of the Castle that reflected in the water and the colours of autumn in the surrounding gardens. It was built for the Grogan-Morgan family between 1810 and 1855 and was presented as a gift to the Irish Nation in 1945. The interrior is currently undergoing restoration so we were disappointed not to be able to discover if the ... read more

What can we say? Had such a fab day! We felt so special the whole day and so happy that everyone had made such an effort for us. It was a great feeling to know we weren't exaggerating when we told people we were having a fantastic day and brilliant that it wasn't an anti-climax after all the planning. Stand out moments: －Walking up the aisle / seeing Rach walk up the aisle； －The music in the church； －The ushers wandering around like lost puppies in the church service； －Hearing everyone cheer as we walked down the aisle!； －Pouring pints of Guinness in the pub in Kinsale in full wedding attire (and Rachel winning the 'best pint' prize!)； －The high class speeches - particular kudos to Ed for not having notes and Dad/Joe for bigging up ... read more

Sept. 6 through Sept. 10, 2009 I have booked a round trip flight from Leeds/Bradford to Dublin for 2 pounds and then a flight from Cork to Dublin for six pounds. All by booking months ahead on super cheap airline - Ryan Air. Anyway, on Saturday, 6 Sept, I boarded the flying bus and was met at Dublin Airport by Ann Nolan, one of my Irish cousins. She had arranged a party for me to say "hello" to her dad, and many brothers and sisters. I had met a couple of them over the years, however this was a full clan gathering, including several from the next generation. The patriarch, Jim Nolan, has 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls, and the only one missing at the get-together was Mary, who is in the NYC Police ... read more