Sheep, Saints, and Scholars (Part One)

  

       At the beginning of the program at UCD we were given the opportunity to sign up for cultural programing events. These events are essentially field trips that UCD offers that will show us something of Ireland and its culture, all we had to do was give a 10 euro deposit that we will get back if we go to all the ones that we signed up for. Belfast was the first of these events, and on Friday after having our internship class and our elective (Irish History) class we were taken on a Mystery Tour.

The Monk's Round Tower

County WIcklow

This tour turned out to be the Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral; both of which I have seen, and was to be followed by a three course meal. Though I had already been to both these places, I went along—mostly for the free food if I am being honest. I am actually quite glad that I had went to both the museum and the cathedral on my own, because going in a group of fifty people, some of whom are not as mature as you might wish a twenty-something to be, is not terribly enjoyable. We toured from about four o’clock till six, though we had commandeered a Luas bus at three to take us into the city. The restaurant that we went to was called Millstone, and we had selected our food from a set menu a few days before. For my starter I got the baked Portobello mushrooms, which were lovely. My main course was the oven baked Irish Salmon and lemon sole, absolutely delicious. And, for dessert I got the Bailey’s and chocolate chip cheese cake…amazing. It was a wonderful dinner and afterward we all made our way home because the next day we were going to Glendalough.

The two gates to enter the Monastic City.

If you managed to get through the two gates and touch this cross you could be given sanctuary.

 At nine o’clock we all loaded onto a bus that would take us to County Wicklow, known at the Garden of Ireland for its amazing scenery. Luckily, our bus drivers were Barry and D from our trip to Belfast, and it was quite nice to see them again and they gave us wonderful information about Ireland during the one hour drive to Glendalough. It is the Valley of Two Lakes, and quite mountainous. Our first stop was the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which has a monastic site that was founded by St. Kevin in the 6^th century.

The Lower Lake

Barry gave us a brief tour of the runes which are all that remain of the monastic city, and then we were given some free time to explore. While the rest of Europe was suffering in the Middle Ages, the monks in Ireland kept learning alive, and wrote down their nation's history. These monastic cities were places of learning and religious reflection, and though originally built in isolated locations, towns and cities formed around them. After visiting the ruins all of us made our way down the trail towards the Lower Lake and the Upper Lake. Words absolutely fail me in trying to describe how beautiful this area was, you will have to see my pictures and judge for yourself.

After loading back onto the bus we were drive up the mountain and through Wicklow Gap, where we encountered some very brave and very slow bikers that we pedaling up the mountain, much to the dismay of our bus driver, who had to stay behind them. As we stopped and took pictures of the Gap it began to get windy and sprinkle a bit, which Madeline—our UCD chaperone—informed us meant we were getting the true “Irish Experience.” Apparently we have been spoiled by the heat wave that was over Ireland for the last few weeks. We had been told to bring rain and hiking gear, so I had come outfitted on our field trip in my rain boots, rain coat, and with an umbrella.

The Upper Lake.

St. Kevin's Church

Wicklow Gap