Grocery Run and Story Night

After class today we went into town for a few things...a good 50-60 minute walk there and back. Then we had a fun night at The Shack while listening to a famous Irish story teller, Clare Murphy. She was amazing and very cool! Story telling truly is an art form over here. We hung out with her until about 10:30 and we were sad to say goodbye, but, she invited us to come hang out one weekend in Galway for a big birthday party she is having. We hope to make it up the weekend after next.

First Day of Class

Today was our first day of classes. We start with Irish storytelling at 8:30 and then digital photography at 11:10. After our classes we went and finally ate an Irish Breakfast. It was AWESOME! Then we jogged into town and got some things at the store. It was a full busy day!

Our First Class Excursion

First we went to Emo Court, the property was on 250 acres and originally on 11,000 acres! It made you feel like you were back in the time period of Pride and Prejudice or something along those lines! We took a tour of the mansion and then Tommy and I wandered around the majestic tree garden that was just breath taking! After that we had lunch on the cool green grass! It was AMAZING!










Then we went and saw some ruins of a castle. We were up on a hill with a 360 degree view of lush green landscape all around us, which was the perfect place to have your castle placed!

A Night Out In Ireland

We went out with our fellow students to "The Shack". Its a nice Irish, traditional Pub. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed some nice genuine guinness. But, once they put in some 'Black Current' (a sweet dark berry flavoring), I REALLY enjoyed it! It turns it into a sweet tasting beer. YUM! Tommy dedicated his first pint of guinness in Ireland to Brian. We then took a trip to Irelands oldest pub...'Seans Bar'. It was WAY too packed but it had traditional music which was cool...by the way, its also smelled like the oldest Irish Pub.

Walking tour of Athlone

Today we got up nice and early so we could have an Irish breakfast. We walked down to the restaurant and they were closed because its a bank holiday weekend.(boo hoo) So tomorrow it might be closed too but we are determined to get an Irish breakfast as soon as we can: ) However, our walking tour was amazing! We also went to the grocery store which is Tesco here(Fresh and Easy back home). The weather is so nice right now, sunny with a strong cool breeze! They say this is rare and to enjoy it while you can because usually it's raining.
















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YEAH WE MADE IT

Well we finally made it here and it is just beautiful! The weather is perfect and we have a whole apartment to ourselves (4 bedrooms, 2 baths, livingroom, and kitchen). We are getting settled in now, unpacking and such. We are all going out tonight to our first authentic pub and to chat it up with the locals. It is so fun to hear them speak! Our buss driver was a really cool guy. He was scottish and I was so excited that I caught it before he told us! It is so green here and there are tons of farms with cows roaming the huge grassy fields, we love it! Here is a preview of our home for the next month...

Ireland here we come!

Im so excited for Tommy and I to go to Ireland! I can't believe we leave in one week! AAAHHH! I will try to update as much as I can while we are over there! Thats all for now! ~Ashlee