Galway Oyster Festival

We had a few days off so one of my classmates (Marie) organized a trip to Galway for the Oyster Festival. We piled 7 of us into a "van" that looked more like a small car and made the 2+ hour trip to the coast. We arrived at Galway and headed to the festival which turned out to be the big event of the town that day. Apparently Oyster Shucking has an international circuit which has one of the major events in Galway. Kind of similar to the 4 majors of golf, Galway hosts one of the few majors of oyster shucking. You are graded on both time and presentation. We all picked our horses and laid out some bets. The American (from Florida) gave a valiant effort however he got dinged on his presentation. Amazingly enough the Belgium won both for time and presentation which apparently doesn't happen all that often. After the event we grabbed some oysters of our own, hung out with the Friendship Band from Northern Ireland (the picture can explain it better than I can), and then headed into the city drag.                                                                                                                            

Friendship Band

Todd w/ Stats

Robin + Marie w/ Flags

Next Galway City and Cliffs of Moher...........

Birthday

Just wanted to show Robin did a great job for my Birthday. Too bad she was deported for hers. (however me made up for it - see Barcelona)

Next Up Galway.....

Northern Ireland Day 3 - London Derry

Robin by the wall

So I've been really lagging on this whole blog thing due to school starting but I'm going to try and catch up before I get loaded up with too much. Anyway, I really wanted to get the pictures and the information up about LondonDerry because it was an incredible place.

This Cannon was named "Roaring Meg" 

We got into LondonDerry (as referred to by loyalists (individuals loyal to the British crown)) / Derry (as referred to by the Unionist (individuals loyal to the Republic.) after a day of sightseeing having no idea what to expect. Robin informed me there is a wall built around the whole city and we were staying in the 1 hotel which was situated inside the wall. We grabbed some dinner and headed to bed and figured we'd explore the next day.

Sorry for the next few bits about the history but this helps set up the whole situation. So LondonDerry is set on the Foyle River (or River Folye as they say here). The River separates Northern Ireland from the Republic. LondonDerry is the only area on the west bank of the River Foyle that is part of Northern Ireland.
So as you can guess the tensions in this area are pretty high.

One of 5 entrances into the city

The city is still very split between loyalist's and unionists. As late as 2007 British Troops still occupied the city. Also, the song "Bloody Sunday" by U2 is based on LondonDerry. During the 70's unionists were open fired upon by British troops killing 14 people. (Much like our Boston massacre). Robin and I both noticed a tense vibe to the city and after reading the history it made more sense.

Get your soap box

The Wall: So the wall was built in the 1600 originally to keep out foreign invaders. It is still the only completely walled city in Ireland still intact and the only one that never saw it's walls breached. After that era the wall was used (from what I understand) to keep the Catholics out of the city. Again there where monstrous cannon's at several points along the wall. (Just to clarify I would not condone firing one of these off, as this was right in the middle of the city and would result in all likelihood casualties; both property and human. Plus Britain has enough on its hands with the financial crisis and doesn't need to rile up LondonDerry these days.)

One of the Murals

Last stop on the tour was a series of murals painted on the walls of several homes and apartments that symbolized the turmoil as well as the desired peace between the different factions. Along this route we saw the memorial for Bloody Sunday and a sign which states "You are now entering free Derry" where people use to come and put out their soap boxes and voice opinions.

I probably didn't do the city justice but one of the most incredibly historic places I've been. Just being in a place where tensions are still heightened was different from anything I've experienced. Belfast also seems to get the media attention but I can tell you LondonDerry is where things still aren't healed.

 We headed back to Dublin where I 1. Scrapped the side of the car on the curb and 2. broke the key to our car in the gas station 2 miles from where we were to return it. Our trip lasted a little longer while Enterprise tried to figure out to do with us but eventually we made it home in time for opening night of football.

Next posting Galway....

Northern Ireland Day 2

We awoke after our adventurous first day to a full Irish breakfast. (Fried egg, sausage, bacon, toast, soda bread, potato bread, stewed tomato, mushrooms, beans, and they threw in some pancakes for good measure) Our hostess offered us cereal as well and seemed a bit offended when we both declined. Anyway, not to brag but I ate the whole thing.

Our first stop was at Giant's Causeway. It is one of these natural wonder things where giant pillars have formed in the ground. However the legend behind it (which is far more exciting than explaining volcanic activity in the area) is a great giant in Ireland stuck these posts in the ground to build a bridge to Scotland to fight another giant. When he got to Scotland he realized the giant he was to fight was much bigger than he so he went home to Ireland. This Scottish giant came after him and the Irish giant had his wife dress him as a baby. When the Scottish giant saw this he assumed if this was the baby then the Irish giant must be huge. So he ran home to Scotland ripping up the bridge so he couldn't be followed and all that remains is what you see in the pictures.

To the left

Next stop is the Carrick-A- Rede rope bridge. Robin and I still have no idea how to pronounce this and no would tells us. Instead they would hear us try and just laugh. Basically, this is the most beautiful place I can recall ever being. As of right now it holds the #1 ranking of where I'll have my ashes spread when I'm dead and gone. Not to be morbid but the place was that amazing. You walk across this rope bridge and arrive on this rock formation surrounded 360 degrees by water. To your left are these sheer white cliffs that are right up against the beach. To your right is this green hills that seem to just roll into the sea. Straight across is the coastline of Scotland. Not to mention is was a perfectly sunny day. I don't think the pictures do justice but you can get the idea. 

Next stop Bushmill's Whiskey Factory. Huge facility and some very impressive bottles of ancient Whiskey. Guess they've been around since the early 1600's. Also they bottle for Jamison so we actually saw that production line. We got our free pour and headed on our way. (not to say hair of the dog or anything but we felt rejuvenated). 

To the right

Last stop was Dunluce Castle. They were charging a high price to enter when it pretty much looked like a pile of rubble. We took a few pictures from the outside, read the signs, and went on our way.

So I've decided a few things about castles while being here. First of all there are 2 different types. #1 being castles of prestige. These castles you build when your rich, you have a manor, and you just hang out in and throw parties. Honestly, these castles are kind of boring. #2 these are the castles where excuse my language but where shit hit the fan. If you weren't being raided buy 10 different groups of people you were having to rebuild for the next war/raid/uprising/takeover that was bound to come your way. Now these castles are exciting and well worth the price of admission. I've also come up with a way to make these Castle's profitable and not always asking for donations and using city / state money to help restore them. You get to fire off a cannon!! You and 5 other people (under supervision of course) get to go through the process of loading and firing an actual cannon ball at a target floating out in the sea. Just one cannon ball but how much fun would that be to see what it actually was like. You could argue over who gets to load/aim/wheel/light (these things were a minimum of a 5 person job). Then you shoot of 1 shot. Heck, give them a prize if they actually hit the target. Now how much would you pay for that? $20? $30? Most these places are charging $4-$6. I just increased your revenue by 3 or 4 times and now I get to fire off a cannon ball. Sorry for that rant but I thought it was a great idea. Robin just nodded and smiled at first but then I told her she could be the person to light it and she was in.

Castle Dunluce (You'd see in the inside if I could fire off a real cannon)

Next stop is Derry or Londonderry depending on who you talk to. I'll post soon.

Northern Ireland Day 1

With Robin at the helm of planning and a Rick Steves' book in hand we had a few days to kill so decided to explore our neighbor's to the North. Both of us knew very little but were overwhelmed with what we found.

Belfast City Hall

10 and 2

We set off in the AM to pick up our car by the airport.Getting acclimated to the whole driving on the wrong side of the road took a while. We went about it with a Top Gun fighter jet approach; Driver was on steering and passenger was on look out for anything that may be a problem. Belfast was our first stop. We both thought it was your normal everyday city. The main highlight being the city hall building which was built in 1906 and occupies the center of town. The other highlight being the trial that was going on at the time: http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0906/englisht.html . We kept saying we wanted to stay away from the courthouse just in case anything were to go down, however we got lost and ended up wandered right behind a BBC and CNN reporter in mid report, as well as a few stationed guards. We both thought it would have been funny had anyone seen us wandering behind with map in hand, looking lost as reporters were talking about the possibility of Belfast "exploding in to violence".

Carrickfergus Castle

Next stop was Carrickfergus Castle a few miles north of Belfast. I could have stayed here all day. It was started in 1177 (yes you read that right) and was expanded upon throughout the 1600 and 1700's until what is left today. They have cannons from the 1600's they excavated years back on display.

Next stop was Larne which is a smaller seaport town, now mainly used for its ferry to and from Scotland (only 25 miles away). Through some genealogy research I had found my Grandfather's Mother's family was originally from this area. We were able to find a church (obviously re-done) in the small town of Carincastle where we think my Grandfather's Mother's grandfather and grandmother were married. (Let me know if you didn't get that and I'll email over the family tree) The surrounding countryside was amazing and made me wonder why they would ever have wanted to leave.

Cairncastle Church

We ended Day 1 in a small town almost as far north as you can go on the island called Portrush. Upon entering the city there are 2 amazing links style golf courses and a big sign which states it is the home of Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open winner). We are staying at a B&B where the first thing I notice is the man of the house, Victor, has a picture of he and Graeme holding the US Open Trophy. After talking with him a few minutes it turns out he belongs to the club with Graeme's father and they keep Graeme's US Open trophy on display there. He calls down to see if they would take it out of the case and let us take a picture with it. Unfortunantly, they can't do that but we are able to get a few photos to show we were there.

2010 US Open Championship Cup

Our evening ends at a local pub listening to Irish music and hanging with a group who was playing in a charity golf tournament down the road. After a few pints they invited me to be the 4th with them the next day in Derry (where we were headed anyway). After a few more pints they've agreed to let Robin drive the cart and putt for one of their buddies who was apparently not very good. We said we'd call them in the AM and see if we can make it. Unfortunately, we got up a bit later than anticipated (maybe or maybe not due to the extra pints they bought us) and had to decline the offer.

Graeme McDowell's Parking Spot

Robin in Front of Castle

Castle's Cannons

Dublin Sights

Liffey Swim

So much to see but luckily so much time to see it! While our apartment was getting new locks we decided to get out and see some sights. We bought tickets for a hop on/hop off double-decker bus. Yes we definitely felt like tourists! We got a great overview of places we want to tour when people come visit us! Hint hint.

 

Time to get hosed off finishers!

Kilmainham Gaol

The city was bustling over the weekend with 3 big sporting events right in our backyard. It started Friday night with a big Ireland vs. Slovakia soccer match at Aviva Stadium. Then on Saturday was the Liffey Swim. The River Liffey is a few blocks from us and runs from the very east part of the city 80 miles towards central Ireland. We heard mention of this event by some locals and decided to check it out. There were about 200 men and 50 women (separate races) that swam from the Guinness Store House east 1.5 mi to Grand Canal Quay. People walking by kept mentioning they wouldn't even put their TOE in that water, let alone swim in it. John I expect you to join me the first Saturday in September next year! Break out your wetsuit!

In a jail cell wearing his new jacket

Sunday was the all Ireland Hurling finals. Think lacrosse mixed with field hockey mixed with rugby with no pads. We went to a local pub to watch and the regulars taught us the sport and snickered when we claimed Tipperary as our hopeful (where some of Shawn's ancestors are from). After a few pints we felt right at home. One man gave Shawn his jacket after hearing he only brought one from the States. Shawn offered to trade but was refused. We might try that trick all over Ireland!

We got back on our double-decker bus yesterday to tour Kilmainham Gaol. It's a historic jail used by the British from 1796-1924. Many Irish men and women suffered there and were publicly hanged. We were in high spirits after that!

"Home"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFaenf1T-Y


That link is for you Casey (assuming you actually look at this). So after 3 days of searching and our last day in a paid for hotel we found a place to live. It is a 1 bedroom on the East side of the city however it does carry a Dublin 4 address. Apparently Dublin 4 is viewed as the upper class (or snobby) section of Dublin. What they don't know is we are the 1st complex on the other side of the bridge which separates Dublin 2 and Dublin 4. We got the 5th floor which overlooks the Aviva Stadium (where they play the Soccer games) which isn't a bad view.

Our first night in our apartment, Ireland was playing Slovakia. We were able to get it on the TV that came with the place however, it only worked when it was turned on it's side. So we turned off the volume and listened for the cheers, then ran to the TV to see what happened. We may have to upgrade for a new TV at some point in time.