I had a very busy week this past week. The teachers of Ireland voted, and decided to hold a strike for higher wages. Due to the fact that Rathdown Junior School is a private school, we remained open. Protestors and picketers stood outside of our school as we entered so it turned out to be a rather eventful day. Many of the children in Ireland have never heard of Thanksgiving, so I taught several lessons on the history of Thanksgiving, as well as many of the ways that Americans celebrate the holiday. On Thanksgiving day, the girls brought in cards they had made for me, and even offered a few gifts.
Friday afternoon, I was feeling brave and I decided to do the Cliff Walk from Greystones to Bray. The walk was full of breathtaking views of the Irish coastline, and the weather was perfect. I was able to explore the ruins of old stone houses while being miles away from civilization. The path was lined on both sides with various wildflowers and even fresh blackberries (still growing in December)! I have to admit that after the day long hike to Bray, I was too exhausted to hike back home, so I returned on the Dart.
Saturday I stayed in Dublin with another girl from the US. We went to the National Wax Museum which was full of replicas of famous Irishmen, legends, and musicians. We explored Trinity College, and did a little shopping on Grafton Street. Sunday we went on a Paddywagon tour to the Blarney Castle in southern Ireland. The Blarney Castle was also home to the 12th Century McCarthy Fairytale Fortress. In spite of my better judgment, I kissed the germ infested Blarney Stone (The Legendary Stone of Eloquence). Legend says I will now have 'The Gift of the Gab' for 7 years, but I am praying I don’t get H1N1 as well. We also stopped in Limerick (The setting of Angela's Ashes, and also known as 'stab city'), as well as the Bunratty Castle.
