Ireland

St. Patrick's Day in Louisburgh, March 17, 2011

by William Hodapp, Professor, Department of English

With snow on Croagh Patrick to the east and on the Meewlrea and Sheffry mountains to the south, Louisburgh awoke gently to a crisp and clear day. By 11:00 a.m., the town was a-buzz with final preparations for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Emceed by Andy Durkan and reviewed by Francis O’Malley, Mayo County Council, and Leo Varadkar, local TD and newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Sport, the parade began about 12:30 following the feast-day Mass in St. Patrick’s Church. Groups ranging from the Louisburgh Youth Marching Band, which played the National Anthem on tin whistles, to a local outdoor adventure center participated in the event, streaming through the town from the church to the bridge and then back again.

This year’s highlight was the final group—a collection of transition-year students from Sancta Maria College, a number of adults, and twenty-two CSS students—offering a folk-play dramatization of the Tain Bo Cualinge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, a heroic-mythical tale pitting the forces of Maebh, Queen of Connacht, against those of Conchobar, King of Ulster led by the great Irish hero Cu Chulainn. The centerpiece of this staging was a large Queen Maebh puppet that oversaw a mock battle between the armies of Connacht and Ulster in the town’s octagon. Having spent the past several weeks helping build costumes, banners, drums, and the Maebh puppet under the direction of the play’s organizers, CSS students also played a variety of roles in the drama: warriors, standard bearers, drummers, even the contested bulls. The parade concluded with remarks from Mr. Varadkar, the first sitting Minister to attend the parade in Louisburgh in its long history.

As much as the performers enjoyed the experience of developing and staging the Cattle Raid of Cooley, this performance brought the annual parade to a new level of enjoyment for spectators as well. Appreciative of the CSS students’ enthusiasm and help, organizers hope to continue including a folk-play element and to involve CSS students in the project in future parades. Following the parade, spectators and participants alike adjourned to the Town Hall for cake and to the pubs to continue the celebration of Patrick’s day. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Newgrange

by:  Sannie Olson, ISP 2011 Participant

Well, it was an early morning indeed, but the sunrise was totally worth it! After a drive most way across the country, we stopped at Newgrange, the location of a 3000 BC (older than the pyramids!) passage tomb. Unlike the other passage tombs we have previously seen of mere rocks just set out to stand, this tomb was built with 200,000 tons of rock and soil piled on top with a chamber inside! We went into this chamber, and it was very tine - we had to duck and turn sideways to get into it! We were then shown a demonstration of how the sunlight would appear if it had been December 21, the winter solstice. The light from the sunrise would fill the darken chamber with a warm glow, making modern archeologists and other history buffs believe that this site had religious significance. Still, there is no clear and complete idea as to what the meaning of the passage tomb was.

Newgrange

 

 

I am currently sitting on my bottom bunk of the Globetrotters Hostel in downtown Dublin (population 1.7 million, about ine third Ireland's population) listening to our boys run up and down the stairs. The hostel is very nice, and just down the road from O'Sheas, where we ordered dinner! I had an amazing bacon burger with fries! So good! Off to chill in the commons with the other students!

 

Ashford Castle

by:  Sannie Olson, ISP 2011 Participant

We finished up our trip in Galway with another delicious breakfast at the Glencree B&B. This time, we had French toast with fresh fruit, coffee, and orange juice! After saying our goodbyes, we boarded the bus again. We wound our way upwards along the northern shore of Galway Bay, where Eoin stopped for many photo opportunities on the beaches and lowlands. As we headed into the mountains, we stopped at a river where Eoin and his giggle threw rocks and attempted to splash the boys! It was hilarious!

 

Ashford Castle

Our final destination of the weekend was the village of Cong, the town where the film, "The Quiet Man," was shot. We found the bar, Pat Cohan, where many of the scenes took place! John Wayne was here once upon a time! The main focus of the town was the Ashford Castle, a gigantic architectural feat that currently functions as a five-star hotel! We reached the castle by way of a leisurely walk thru the woods along a river. The view from the front of the castle is breathtaking; a mirror-like lake sided by a falcon training school, stables, and gardens! We didn't have time to get to these side places, however, but we were able to see the castle and lake!