Tasting the Perfect Pint

Oil called as a black gold in Far- and Middle-East but in Irish concept I would call Guinness the black gold of Ireland (I know, the colour is not exactly black). That and many other facts were discovered on Saturday when group of international students stepped through the gates of St. James brewery.

The Story starter in year 1759 when Arthur Guinness signed a lease of St.James brewery for 9000 years, so I guess that we wont run out for Guinness for a looong time. Throughout to days, years, decades, centuries the success story of Guinness has traveled until modern days and still keeps going on... Did you know that these days around the world people drink about 10 000 pints in total (Daily!). The  brewery complex is huge: Once there was 8 miles train tracks inside the brewery complex to help out transporting beer to harbor and forward to the world providing help for thirsty people.  

As guided tour took us from one floor to another explaining pretty much everything starting from ingredients & brewing process, continuing about advertising and introduction how to pour pint correctly. Then there was a possibility to pour your own pint and enjoy it in skybar looking out the views above Dublin. After pouring your own pint Guinness staff will give a certificate that proves says "I had crafted the perfect pint of Guinness." ... Good thing to add on CV, right? ;-)

Since we all became experts we decided to continue our evening just to visit few others pubs in Dublin observing the quality of Guinness. It was a great day and evening with a fully package of humor and facts combined good company.

Rocking The Roost & Chilling in Pyjamas

When third week of second semester is already over it seems like that there are some traditions that just doesn't change: Thursday is the Roost day, the most social day of the week. By that I mean that if you haven't seen your friend during a week for some reason, Thursdays in Roost is the right time & place to do that because simply everybody are there. The pattern of the evening is more or less this: Gather around to someones place around 8-9pm to hang around with some of your friends. After few hours, around 11pm go to Roost, upstairs to our "international corner" and meet rest of your friends there during the evening. In the case that you don't anyone (is it even possible?), open the conversation and make new friends... International won't bite and they like to have chat :) Roost will close around 1.30am (early, I know!) and then if you are hungry go and have a taco fries (gift from Ireland to the world) and go home or just go home without eating.

I wondered why Roost has become the most popular place among exchange students because obviously there would be Mantra on Mondays or Brady's on Wednesdays that haven't achieved even closely similar kind of popularity. After thinking and talking with some people I made a conclusion: Mantra is just a nightclub, Brady's is could be also counted as nightclub even that there is the ground floor without DJ / Band. Everyone of us who are here can go to club when they are back in their hometowns but in Roost there is both live music and club and it is the live music that makes it different.

After parties in Roost on Friday people usually feel more or less tired, that's the reason for the basic rule of academic timetable in here: Don't choose any courses for yourself on Friday :p So on last Friday evening what would be better way to relax than have a pyjama parties. People made or bought something "evening snacks" (warm toast, pancakes, nachos etc.) which we enjoyed with hot chocolate / tee and of course with a great company.

Tour de la Cliffs of Moher

Once were anyways in Galway with our multi international group, Cliffs of Moher were that close and none of us haven't see it yet so we booked the tour there... Tour company name was "Lally's Tours", what a name! Especially when you imagine an oldish Irish men with Irish accent talks to the bus microphone "Thank you for choosing the Lally's, it just make people laugh :D Anyways the tour was a full day tour from 10am until around 5pm including several stops along the route.

First stop was a traditional Irish farm where same family have been working for generations. There we had a guided tour to walk up the hills see the view of the area and hear about it's history. In general that Burren area is unique and has achieved Unesco world heritage status because of its stunning landscape and cultural history. The farm itself was a typical size farm, which meant that they had 60 cows. Beside the cows we saw few calf of the cows, a goat and dogs there and had a possibility to enter their own micro chocolate factory that was just opened the day before. 

From the farm our bus trip continued toward the Cliffs of Moher. On the way our tourguide told us different stories about different places. One of the funniest was absolutely a matchmaking festival that is a month long taking place every September for past couple of hundred years in town called Lisdoonvarna. Idea of the festival is exactly as the name does sound like: Tens of thousands people travel there yearly for dancing, drinking, having fun time and of course looking for a wife / husband for themselves. There is even a title for "an official matchmaker" who is responsible to arranging a date for you according your wishes. That's what I call a job!

The Cliffs of Moher, one of the most famous tourist attraction points in Ireland, luckily now it was an off-season for tourism so there was actually space to walk because in Summer it's probably going to packed of people. The Cliffs are 8km long along the Atlantic coast and reach highest point of 214m. The view is absolutely beautiful, (again) something different I haven't seen before. There we did spent 1,5 hours walking around the cliffs watching the view and listening waves crushing against the cliffs. Now I can say that I have left my footprint at the Cliffs of Moher by sitting on an edge of the cliffs about 200 meters between me and the sea: Amazing feeling!

After the cliffs we stopped by for a lunch brake in small village called Doolin, there we enjoyed our lunch: baguettes, bagels, toasts etc. whatever everyone had prepared for themselves in the morning. Sitting outside in about 6 degrees with the wind is what I call a cold lunch.. Luckily it wasn't raining :) Before returning Galway via scenic coastal drive we had few quick stops, first one at the seaside of rocky Burren landscape "Poulnabrone Dolmen" and  an stop at the Dunguaire Castle. Great tour in total! 

When taking the bus from Galway back to Maynooth after the whole exciting day (and whole weekend) the atmosphere could be described with one word "sleepy" :)  

Searching for a Galway Girl

It is a weekend, nothing special to do --> result: emerge a group and head up for Galway, at least that's what we did. All together we were 11 people, 6 nationalities.

It all started at Fri afternoon while we were all standing at the "Bus Terminus" in Maynooth. Sun was shining and bus was late (the usual... and I mean that the bus was late, not the sun). Some of us had just backpacks but someone had a real luggage with wheels and everything, but according to miss x: It's just because of hairdryer :D Anyways, beginning of the trip is the most boring, spend 3,5 hours in a bus but unfortunately there is nothing to do about it.

Finally arrived to Galway and to our hostel. Plan for the Friday was going out to check out some night life in Galway but before that we all went for a dinner in a place called King's Head. We heard that there is actually a story behind the name: During middle ages when Ireland was under British control, Englishmen wanted to get a rid of one of their king by executing him. Unfortunately they got a law that says that any Englishmen can't execute their own king, so what did they do? They asked one Irish to come to England and execute the King (lucky Irish) and reward for that he would have some property so the pub was named "King's Head."

While dining there we all had a taste of Galway Hooker, one of us was so excited about it that decided to update fb status "Hooker time in Galway", after hearing what is another meaning for the word "hooker" status was quickly changed "Erasmus time in Galway." And for those who don't know, Galway Hooker is their own locally brewed beer that is famous in the city. After a dinner we went back to the hostel but for some reason our hostel was "an alcohol free zone" but no worries, Erasmus students are clever: We "smuggled" beer in our back to hostel and drank few cans while playing drinking games in our dorm before going out. Nightlife in Galway is good, as soon as we reached the main bar street we had two to three stamps in our hands that would provide a s free entry before midnight in different clubs. We weren't that much about clubbing idea so we checked place with live music, good band and good fun.. But no Galway girl yet.

On Saturday after waking up fresh in the morning we went actually to look out a town, there was a free walking tour that took us through main places and stories in Galway. I really have to say that Galway is pretty place: few walking streets with lot of small shops, river going through the city and then the Galway bay and the beach area. Even that sky was blue and sun was shining still for some reason didn't feel like going for a swim, maybe in the summer. Also the university is awesome, it had been built to remind the Oxford university in UK.But there was a "small mistake" when the University was built: Architects had accidentally mixed the blueprints between universities of Belfast and Galway so actually the one in Galway should have been in Belfast and another way around, bad luck for British...

After nice walking day in town we stopped in original Irish tea house.. One of the girliest places I've been: Teacups, pots and plates were like porcelain decorated with flowers etc, tables were covered by lace tablecloths and waitresses as well were wearing flower dresses.  :D The reason we courage ourselves to enter there was the sign outside and tea was really tasteful and cakes delicious.

At evening we cooked ourselves in the hostel: Spaghetti Bolognese for 11 people, that was a show :D Then we went again out but just to have few pints because on Sunday we were going to the tour for Cliffs of Moher. After few pubs we returned to hostel without still finding a Galway girl. So after all on Sunday evening before boarding the bus we listened the Galway girl song because we just couldn't leave from there without hearing that song in Galway.

The Irish Weather

As there is 365 days in year, there are also (at least) 365 different days in Ireland what comes to weather... At least in Finland meteorologists are often "blamed" if they told people a wrong weather forecast in the news so if the same effect takes place in Ireland, it's probably one of the most challenging job to handle. You want to know why, here's an example:

On Tuesday my dream collapsed: To have a total snow-free year. So as you can guess, it was snowing at that day a good sized snowflakes. Of course the snow melted down almost immediately but still at some places like on top the cars it was possible to recognize that it was an actual snow... On the other hand it was funny to follow some people reactions as they saw snow first time in their lives, the feeling that I just can't understand.

On Wednesday was one of the stormiest day in whole Ireland so far in this year. Winds were blowing like a force of a hurricane (well, I might overstate that a bit but still..) and according to Irish Times there were about 200 000 people without electricity (mostly in SW Ireland), several roads were blocked because of fallen trees and flooding.

On Thursday when I stepped out from the door at the morning to head up to college I almost slipped because of "black ice" on the streets. Obviously the rainfalls of previous storm and a cold night had caused the freezing effect so I was able to slide on asphalt almost a meter at some points. On the way to the college really needed to consider walking to avoid falling, for a moment I thought that I should have brought my ice skates with me :D

Same day at afternoon suddenly a hailstorm started (of course) with lovely winds which made it feel like someone would been throwing tiny stones on your face... The hailstorm didn't last more than 10-15 minutes but of course it was the time while I was walking from the College back to my house. That's a real Irish luck I guess...

Now when looking at headlines, "Another 'nasty' storm on the way tomorrow", so we'll see what comes next... 

Delicious Ending Of The Week

So what would be better way to end the week than having an international dinner on Saturday evening and when I'm talking about international dinner I don't mean to go out in restaurant to eat for example Chinese food with friends... This was the international dinner where a group of people from different countries gathered at a (warm) house enjoying cozy atmosphere in the kitchen or heat of fire in fireplace, but before arriving everyone had cooked something:

The Menu was set:
America: Quesadillas and self-made guacamole dip
Austria: Blunzengroestl (Something in Engilsh :D)
Brazil: Fish with potatoes

Denmark: "Phoney hare" (meatloaf)
Finland: Oven baked pancakes
French: Chocolate cake, Quiche lorraine, Madeleines
German: Potato salad, Chocolate cake, Canneloni, Toast Hawaii
Italy: Warm toasts with olive oil, tomatoes and herbs

Netherlands: Pancakes
Spanish: Tortilla des patatas,
Plus: There wasn't even all, I just cant remember all the things we had :P

As you might guess, everyone were full after tasting little bit of everything but what an mixture of tastes! Luckily that wasn't end of the evening since it continued with lots of laugh about different things but afterwards I think that everyone became a little bit smarter or could you answer for these questions, I can now ;)
- What's "the German finger"?
- How does the French do the macarena dance?
- How does sounds when Brazilian practices French?
- Is French only a romantic language or can you actually swear in French in a way that it actually sounds swearing?
- What happens when you give a spray cream to Italian
- Or what is the movie madagaskar theme song "I like to move it" in Finnish
- In which languages "pineapple" is actually "Ananas"




  

Another "Freshers Week"

So it was Monday, February 3rd which did mean only one thing: Start of the second semester --> Back to the reality!

Of course this week couldn't be compared to real freshers week in September but still it have been a good craic! As I have mentioned before it is not the places it is the people that creates the fun so primary plan for the week was: Get going and socialize with new Erasmus students.

Monday is Mantra day but because of it was a first day of semester it was widely known that all places are going to be packed of super-drunken students, we just ended up in O'Neills hanging around with old and new students... Obviously it would probably also been too huge cultural shock for people by starting their semester in Mantra...

Tuesday actually didn't happen anything but that's normal as it is known as "silent day of the town", but on Wednesday it was Brady's day so that became the destination for the evening. Before that international society did arrange quiz night, oh my gosh, last time I felt myself so stupid was... hmm actually I cant remember :D Our team kind of did win the quiz if the rankings would have been read from bottom to top but obviously that didn't happen so we were the last, go Funky Team go!

And Thursday, the day that everyone where heading to the roost!  And truly everyone was there, we went there a bit before 11pm and the queue was already like 10-15 meters.. Crazy, eh? Now halfway sleeping and tired for past few days I'm writing this blog text but still waiting for the evening to go check some nightlife in Dublin ;)

Still I have to admit that whole week wasn't just partying because the classes started also on this week. At first day I managed to "rest my eyes" during two classes out of three, such a great start.. But I think that during the first week is not that important since it looks like that people are still on their way to return to the reality of studying...  

Kingsbry226 On The Road, pt.4

Friday and the last day of our trip so we had a late morning, which means leaving at 10am. Only one of our days when we actually had a timetable because we needed to be in Trim at 11am. At our first day visit we heard about the tour that would take us into the castle grounds and provide a possibility to try medieval gears and clothes, we had so much fun!! Our tour guide was awesome with giving first introduction of medieval weaponry and living circumstances and then telling about the history of the Trim Castle while walking on the castle grounds. After the tour telling us some more about general history of Trim, few “unknown facts” what comes to the braveheart movie and giving us lot of advices about what to do next. Also the visitors centre cafeteria provided delicious homemade lunch and desserts to enjoy with great prize-quality value.

After spending four hours in Trim it was anyway time to move on. Sky was blue and sun was shining, even that according the weather forecast it was supposed to be the most rainy day during our road trip (weird Irish weather), we drove to megalith tombs of Loughcrew (similar than New Grange) which are located at the highest point in County Meath, spectacular views! Especially when being there at the time of sunset was the best possible ending of our road trip to imagine.

Or to be honest, it wasn’t over yet, after arriving Maynooth it was time for Friday evening “family shopping” in Tesco since we had a car on use it was handy to buy all kinds of household stuff (or whatever everyone personally were in need of). 1,5 hours in Tesco, that was my record (show far)!

During those four days we drove about 1200 kilometres and discovered approx. 9000 years of Irish history having such a great time. And “the buggie” showed its power on the narrow streets while driving on countryside or when sprinting to the highway with its 1.2l engine. Still it didn’t let us down and it was a pity to return it and start to live without a car again… But we’ll see when is the next time to go back on the road again ;) 

Kingsbry226 On The Road, pt.3

Two days behind, two more to go!

This time we had a merciful morning, leaving at 8.30am but still effect was the same – sleeping in the car but why not there’s anyway not much to see in highways. That highway led us SW towards Cork... First destination was the Rock of Cashel, which is also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. Once a place where Irish High King of Munster had its throne but later gifted to the church which made them to build a cathedral and a house of a bishop. Must have been a magnificent place on its time, unfortunately the combination of Irish weather and around 900 years old building on the top of the hill in the middle of the lowland won’t provide the most comfortable living conditions for example because of the wind... 

Up from the hill we saw another ruins of monastery in the middle of the fields and yes why not to go there. Of course after raining days walking over the grass fields are necessarily not the best possible idea but girls wanted to be “adventurous” ending up to monastery with wet and muddy feet. I decided to walk by myself a bit longer route along the road to gateway where was a stoned path leading to the monastery and I actually was there before the girls with dry & clean feet.. But hey, who would listen to the man’s logic?

After that “adventurous walk” we packed ourselves back in the car and started to drive towards North. Our second destination was Clonmacnoise, the earliest Christian settlement in Ireland based in 6^th century that also became known of the original old high crosses that still exists on the site. Strategic location on the crossroad of the river and route from east to west coast made it important place for merchants, pilgrims etc. to have a rest which also brought wealthy to monastery. The story doesn’t end happily because many others during the times noticed the same thing so the monastery was raided many times by Vikings, Normans etc. but the monks always started their work all over until English came in 16^th century and basically plundered every single item they were able to get their hands on leaving it more or less in the way it is these days.

Kingsbry226 On The Road, pt.2

Second day the road led us to SE of Ireland in to the county Wexford. It was an "early morning" which meant starting the car at 8am ... So not even after few miles backseat travelers covered themselves with blankets and fell asleep but after they woke up we all were ready to discover throughout 9000 years of Irish history in the Irish National Heritage Park. There we walked a path from stone-age until the time of early Normans. Great place to visit with many things to see and do, for example trying to push forward a stone on weight of 2 tons and I did manage to do that. Although guess I have to mention that it was on the rolls which obviously made it a bit easier but still I wouldn't start to build a monument with those stones...

When our "walk throughout history" was over, we turned the wheels toward coast place called Hooks Head. And why? There is located the world oldest lighthouse which is still operating. Listening the tour and climbing up the lighthouse was worth, such a great view over the sea and along the coast.

Last but not least on the way back to Maynooth we stopped in New Ross, "the emigrant town of Ireland" where during 19th century lots of people have gone on their way to reach United States, including John F Kennedy's Great Grandfather in 1849.

Kingsbry226 On The Road, pt.1

One week for the start of a second semester and "studies", so what to do? Chill out at home, stare out of the window and do nothing --> No way! Or then with my housemates Julia, Mélissa and Laura we came up with an idea to rent a car for 4 days and discover some Ireland --> Sounds much better!

 

First I have to admit that I was a bit excited about driving on the wrong side of the road because for some reasons Irish and British have decided that they want to be different than other Europe by driving on the wrong side (and by saying wrong I mean left side). The car we had was a black Opel Corsa, which I decide to name "the buggie" because the car looked small and somehow the name just did fit for it. :D

On the first day we did head up for to direction NE from Maynooth, first to the site "Battle of the Boyne", the place where armies of King Willian & King James fought against each other in the year of 1690. Over 50 000 men deployed on the battlefield which makes the largest number on troops ever deployed on an Irish battlefield and there we were, just walking over the same field which was once covered in the smell of gunpowder. On the way back to Maynooth we stopped in the town named Trim to see "the legendary braveheart castle", but after a quick visit we decided to arrive back there again on Friday for one special reason...