Avoca Manor, a Weekend with TCDCU in the Wicklow Mountains

Avoca Manor is a retreat center in the Wicklow mountains.

I went there for a "Weekend Away" this past weekend with the Trinity College Dublin Christian Union. It was incredible. I was welcomed 100% by the Trinners. I knew a few people already from going to a few things, but I was definitely a newbie. My original plan was to go to Avoca with the CU from DIT but my schedule didn't allow it. I think that was a God thing, not that going with DIT would have been bad or anything, but I was supposed to be there this weekend.

We talked about being transformed by God. I think God has done some transforming in me over the last few years, and He has done a lot in me these last few months in Dublin. I've really learned, I think, to appreciate how blessed I am. I'm a country bumpkin from Indiana living in Europe, Europe!! How is that even possible? I have a great family who've allowed me to go on this adventure even though they don't quite understand why I want to spend 4 months an ocean from home.

The whole situation of coming to Dublin the first time, and then coming back; I see God's fingerprints all over it. I think he has some plans for my last month and a half in Ireland.

Howth, Rhymes with Both

Just drop the W.  Nobody knows why. 

Last Friday, I went with my dear friend Rachel and some of her friends, old and new, to Howth head, a peninsula just north of Dublin city.  The views were amazing!  The sky was typical Irish gray, but the weather was great for a day out. Lots of hills and cliffs and views of the city and the bay.  It’s quite a change to go from the city where all you see is buildings and cars and people, to the country where all you see is God’s amazing creation.  After the walk around the cliffs, we got fish n’ chips and Maude’s ice cream.  Maude’s is a Howth landmark.  All the Irish kids have fond memories of stopping at Maude’s after walking ALL that way around the cliffs.  Rachel swears the place has shrunk since she was a kid.   

Boats, a little bigger than the ones found at Lake Webster.  I was surprised there weren’t more boats out on the water, but what do I know about sailing?

 

 

Rachel and James, discussing the Lisbon Treaty or something. 

 

 

 

 

And we’ll end with me, being my usual dorky self.

Greetings from Galway

Arrived in Galway yesterday morning via the train. It is the oyster "festival" but I didn't put together that in Ireland "festival" doesn't mean, "put up tents and close streets" it means, "hey! there's oysters at the pubs for a little less money than usual." I didn't try any oysters, which made me very sad, but there's still another day here in the West, so maybe for lunch. There was the oyster opening competition, but I couldn't find it. Did see the parade though!
Marching band made up of school kids playing fife (or some kind of flute/recorder like instrument) and drums. And Glockenspiels! Smaller kids with Oysters on their heads.
Old cars.
Northern Ireland adult marching band.

The shucking competitors.

Walked around Galway, a cute little town with quite alot of shops and pubs and galleries. It's right on the atlantic coast; they've built a park area near Galway Bay with some foot paths to take in the views of the ocean. It was raining a bit, so the water was quite grey, but I was still very awe struck. "I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean..." Thank you, Lee Ann Wolmak. (funny bit of trivia an Irish pop singer, Ronan Keating, recorded that song too...) While I was feeling small, I met a sweet Italian guy called Luca. He is in the process of starting his violin making career (how cool is that?) here in Galway. We had some coffee, both agreeing it was too weak, and just chatted about life and Irish culture and the cost of cigarettes (he's the smoker...). Luca and I checked out the city museum, mostly because it was free. Met back up with my friends from DIT at the hostel, and met some more really cool people. Irish kids here from Dublin for a girl's weekend. A Texan travelling around Europe after a year teaching English in Spain. Brothers from Wyoming backpacking their way through Europe. We swapped traveling stories and college stories. Luca and the backpackers gave us some very good tips on traveling and where to go. All in all, "great craic"

Galway report and pictures to be continued.... I know y'all're sitting on the edge of your seats in anticipation!!