5 Irish Counties In One Week!

This past week has been filled with non stop action. Our journey to the west coast started early last Tuesday morning when we set out for Blarney Castle. We have seen so many historic sites, landscape views, and parks in the last few days it's out of control. We were able to see Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney stone, hike on Skellig Michael, hike through Killarney National Park, tour through the Muckrose house, explore the Dingle Peninsula, play a rugby game on Inch beach, see the cliffs of Moher, biked around on the Aran Islands, and the list goes on and on. It has been one of my favorite trips so far. We have seen some absolutely breathtaking views and made so many memories. This has been the ultimate semester. I don't think I've really wrapped my head around the fact that I've 'studied' in Ireland for a whole semester. It's literally a dream to have done this. I have had so much fun and here are some pictures that I'd like to share with you. They're from the beginning of our West Coast trip up until today.

This was on the Island of Skellig Michael. It's 15 miles off the west coast of Ireland and while we were out there you couldn't even see mainland. We were taken out by this little fishing boat and once we got there it was a steep climb to the top. There were over 600 hand-laid stone steps. You would not believe how high up some of these spots are... it's just incredible!

This is the guys in the 'Gap of Dunloe'


Wynsma and myself in Killiney National Park.


This is murph, myself, and wynsma on the Dingle Peninsula. This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful place in Ireland. The entire ride was filled with indescribable views and the most vivid colors I've ever seen.


The gang at the Cliffs of Moher. We completely lucked out with weather because it was perfect weather while we were there.


This was out on the Aran Islands. I knew there were cliffs on the island but I never thought they would be this sheer. You would look off and it would go straight down to the water. I'm not going to lie, it freaked me out a little...

View straight down!

Well, so far this has been an absolute dream semester. I am so glad to be finishing up the semester on the West Coast. It's crazy to think that in 4 days I'll be on a plane headed home! It's completely bittersweet. I am so excited to be going back home but am going to dearly miss Ireland! Hope you all are doing well!

Leinster Rugby Match!

So about a week ago our entire ISP group went to see a Leinster Rugby match. There are four provinces in Ireland: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. Each province has their own club team. Leinster has the "Leinster Lions". A few of their players were drafted for Irelands national team during the 6 nations. So needless to say, they have a very good team. It was such a fun game to attend. It's one thing to watch rugby on T.V. and it's a completely different thing to watch it live. You could literally hear the hits between the players on the field. We did get to see a pretty big fight break out as well. A Leinster player just started pounding this Glascow player during the scrum...it quickly turned into a legit fight with punches to the face. Both teams just collasped trying to break it up. No body got kicked out of the game but one player did get a yellow card and was sent off to the "sin bin." Here's some cool photos from the game...