The Underground Ireland

Since there has been so many sunny days in Ireland that it started to feel weird (I even managed to get sunburned) it sounded like a good idea to disappear from top of the earth for a while. Once again car loaded with German-American-Finnish people left in the morning as the sun was rising up the on the blue sky.

First destination: Cave of the Cats also referred by name "Hell-mouth of Ireland" or "Gateway to Hell." It is located in the area of Rathcorghan where several ancient monuments takes place. Area is also the beginning and the ending of the tale about the battle of great bulls, that is part of the Irish mythology. The cave is well hidden and when seeing the entrance I wasn't able to imagine at all what actually was behind it. Crawling through the small entrance and after about 10 meters of tunnel cave opened up in a bigger space where I could easily stand in. It is a natural cave formed in limestone lay that lies underneath the ground surface at the moment forming about 50 meters long tunnels accessible but in total they are much more longer. There is a tale that caves would reach as far as Sligo in earlier period of time which would mean about 50km of tunnel complex... Geologically it is all part of same limestone lay so it could have been possible but there are no evidence on that. In the cave was a total silence and darkness, when turning of torches it was impossible to see anything and only thing to hear was the sound of water dripping from the stone. I thought to scare someone of us up but (at this time) decided to be polite and stayed quiet... This place is one of the places that is connected the birth of Halloween.

To reach another destination we needed to change country which did mean to drive across the border to Northern Ireland where we find the Marble Arch Caves. It was discovered at the end of 19th century and now it is one of places in Europe that has a Geopark status. Surroundings itself looked fascinating and we were thinking about movies that would come to our mind about different spots over there... Lord Of the Rings, Harry Potter, Avatar, Pirates Of Caribbean and Ariel... 

Steps lead us to underground (No crawling this time!) and first stepped on the boats that took us a short journey along underground river. After tour continued walking through various tunnels where was one after another different stone formation with funny names that had been given to them, like "Porridge pot" or "Moses walk." Cave system is totally about 11km long and about 2-3km of that is open for public.

Discovering the these underground worlds it was time to enjoy leisure back on top of the ground. There was horse racing event in Dundalk, both horse and greyhound racing is popular in Ireland so obviously is has to be part of experience to see. The venue itself was big offering bar and restaurant services and of course many places to put your bets on horses... If I would understand more about the sport, I would tried to put on some bets but at this time it was only for watching few starts to see how it is like. There wasn't that many people so atmosphere could have been better with more people. Of course I compare it what I've seen in movies which possibly is a bit unreal but still... It was nice experience anyways and now I can tick one more box "Things done in Ireland."

True Gaelic Ireland

Early morning again, somehow I just seem to like them... Car engine started at 6.30am and day started as normal tradition to pick up the team for the car. This time we had German-Slovenian-Finnish group on the wheels. As always I calculate some extra time just in case something happens... Like picking up one the person after ringing for several times there was an answer.. "Sorry I totally fucked this up, I just woke up and haven't even packed" ... Short conversation, boosting up the mood to hurry up to get going and after 15min we had a whole group in the car.

A motorway from Maynooth to Galway showed us the way and a smaller route even further to the port of Ros a'Mhil where we left our car and continued by foot to the ferry that took us to Inis Mór, the biggest island of the Aran Islands (there are three islands in total). It is one of few areas in Ireland where people mainly speak Irish (Gaelic). It is the kind of language that reminds me an elf language from Lord of the Rings, beautiful language but completely not understandable for me...  Luckily they also speak English in there. This time we had a real passenger ferry to cross sea to and only after 45min ferry trip we stepped on to Aran Islands where we rented bicycles to cycle around the Island. The main island (Inis Mór) is only about 10km long and 2-3km wide having only few routes cycling is the best way to discover it.


Landscape is very rocky and most overcoming view was many stonewalls between green fields with farm animals (cows, horses, donkeys, goats) and rocky coast. The atmosphere on the Island could be describe as peaceful, non-rushing and relaxing. As our cycling tour around island started it wasn't more than few minutes as I met a new friend. I called him "buddy", it was a dog who walked toward us (in Ireland it's normal that dogs just run around without a lease on themselves) and then joined with us for the whole day, around five hours it ran along us while we were cycling and was our "guide" when seeing the sights... It became my new best friend.

Besides the nature itself there are several sights on island that are recommended to visit. First where we visited was called "a worm hole", a natural formation on rocks that looks like a swimming pool... surrounded by ground of smaller ponds that reminded kind of poisonous ponds because of green seaweed. Not to mention raging waves onto cliffs that splashed water meters high.

Another sight, most famous on the island is Dún Aonghasa, a ring fort originally built in 1100BCE and expanded on 500BCE built on top of the hill by the sea, about 100 meters straight drop to sea and other way kilometers long view over the island... I don't wonder that it's called "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe."



Continuing cycling tour we stopped on one beach where I tried to teach for the "buddy" how to retrieve a stick but he didn't agree with me about the idea and decided not to retrieve it. For some reason it reminded my the dog I used to have when I was still living at home who did exactly same thing: looked on me and probably would say something like "do you think that Im stupid or something to try make me run after a stick?" There was also a place where seals where living, I counted that I saw about 10 seals on the spot.


After a night at the hostel on the Island we returned to mainland and continued our trip by car around Connemara. When I was there last time, it was mostly very windy and rainy and now sun was shining.. It is true how much difference does actually the weather do. Difference on this Connemara driving route was to visit in Kylemore Abbey, last time I only stopped there but didn't went in there. Once again it was closer to 11pm when we reached Maynooth so the same routing was keep repeating itself: Quickly to bed to have some sleep before a wake up again on a next day.

Haunted Houses & Mysterious Monks

Easter Monday 5am when alarm clock ringed to tell that is about to time to get airport hopper to get into the Dublin airport pick up the car... Last time I was driving I had Volkswagen Golf and it was a really good car to drive with. This time I had requested to have a same car and the rental company succeeded to complete my request so it was time to hit the road again, I love it!

American-Dutch-German-Finnish team was picked up around Maynooth before heading to Wexford. On our first stop we found out first a tourist information and then a nice coffee place to start the morning, it was about 9.30am at this time on Easter Monday so town was quite peaceful. But we manage to find a great place: Cup of coffee and fresh made still warm scone with it kicked the day forward as we planned what to do during the day. 

Most haunted house in Ireland, the Loftus Hall. A place where the the devil itself have visited and where people still experience paranormal things... History of the house starts in year 1666 when a member of the Loftus family moved into the house. Powerful family on it's time who ended up bankrupt as renovating their house just in case if the queen of England would visit. They spent in modern currency 60-70 million euros for it and the queen never visited... For example a mosaic floor built by Italian brothers which is unique in the world because family cut off hands off from the brothers after they finished their work so they could not copy that floor nowhere else. The kind of staircase that can be found only two other similar pieces over the world, one bottom of the ocean in Titanic and other in Vatican. 

The clock was ticking, hours passed by and it was time to enjoy a lunch break before ending up first day in a hostel in Killarney... The best place was the one we found on the way driving along the copper coast... Picnic table by the seaside and green fields where cows where watching us while we were enjoying our cold lunch in warm sunshine.

Tuesday was the day that was going be exciting... Plan was drive to Portmagee and catch a boat to take us to Skellig Michael.  Stepping on a boat large enough to carry out 12 people and head out about 11km to the open sea sounded quite exciting especially as I have used to either rowing boat on the lake or a big passenger ferry between Finland and Sweden or Finland and Estonia. After boarding to first boat the skipper moved us to another boat that they were able to have all same group members in same boat and that turned out to be a real lucky boost for the day! While boat was facing the waves of the sea and water splashing on the boat in a way that I was able to taste salty water on my lips skipper shouted us to look right! There was two basking sharks which were so close the boat that if I would reach my hand over the board into the sea I would probably be able to touch the shark. And our boat was the only boat that saw these sharks!

On the horizon we saw two islands, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. First we landed on a Skellig Michel, green rocky island that rises around 200 meters above sea level having a top covered on mist and seabirds flying around it... I experienced it like going into the Jurassic Park Island! Skellig Michael is an old monastery that has founded by monks possibly as early as 6th century. They had created a system to collect rainwater that provided a possibility for them to live almost in total isolation from the outer world. To reach monastery from the pier, there was 618 steps to climb up, made of stones without having any security rails etc. next to stairs so one missed step can lead up to a fatal drop. 

Little Skellig is a smaller island close to Skellig Michael. It's occupied by seabirds that have a huge colony there. Seeing the rock even far away it looks partially white and that is only because of the birds, at this time of the year it is estimated that there are around 60 000 birds on the rock and highest peak is around July-August when there are over 80 000 birds. Pretty impressive! 

The trip was easily described by one word: Spectacular! So far I would say that my favorite places I've seen in Ireland was Slieve League Cliffs at Donegal but I have to say that this Skellig Michael became now number one. On the way home we stopped quickly in Limerick to walk around and have a dinner. Finally arriving to Maynooth after two days it was already around 11pm so quickly to bed catch some sleep and prepare myself for the next following days...

Easter Brunch

Easter holidays started very peaceful weekend over here. Two of my housemates did travel abroad from Ireland during whole Easter week since we have (again) week long break from university. Third one has family visiting over so I wont see even her much so it kind of a feel I would be living alone in the house.

In Ireland Easter is not that much celebrated holiday, chocolate and masses in a simply way to say it. But still it seems that take it rather seriously here, for example on Thursday Roost closed at midnight because during Good Friday either restaurants or shops were not allowed to sell alcohol. Anyway we visited at Roost because there are not that many weeks left anymore so need to keep up Thursday Roost tradition. Rest of the Eastern weekend days went mostly just chilling and doing nothing that special, walking outside (enjoying the sun!!) and having a bbq.

But absolutely highlight of weekend was Sunday morning Easter brunch which we decided to arrange instead of international dinners. So much food, so good food both sweet and salty. For example oreo-cheesecake, cheese macaronis, peanut butter cookies, beans, bacon and pudding.... I ate so much that I felt like exploding and after brunch when we were just sitting and chatting something, I really needed to struggle to stay awake with having a full stomach, warm house and cozy chair.

Rest of the Eastern break goes travelling around, probably my final travels around Ireland so it is now or never to see places where haven't been yet! Anyways it is time to go to bed now because I need to pick up the car again in the morning.

Visitors From The Past

As I mentioned on my last blog post of 1st semester (The End Part One) that the thing what creates this experience in Ireland is not just the place, it is the people. Last weekend Laura's and mine friend Lisa came for weekend re-visit to Maynooth. Also Annika came to visit here for a same weekend. Lisa flew from Germany on Wednesday and Annika took a bus at Saturday from a farm where she's working as a volunteer near Galway. 

So the schedule for the week(end) was more over obvious...  Wednesday to Brady's and Thursday to Roost, official student experience in Maynooth ;) On Friday once we have the grill, it was time to use it again. Then on Sat & Sun we had a car to drive around to seen different places than just Maynooth. We visited on Donegal on Saturday and Sunday around some towns quite near here Maynooth, even that I had visited most of places already I was pleasantly going those places again because I simply just enjoyed those that much, like standing on the edge of the Slieve League Cliffs or sitting on a desolated shore of the rocky beach... 

Still every time there is something new and at this time it was the surfers. I was already aware of that there are actually quite popular surfing beaches in Ireland but I haven't seen even a single surfer before Saturday. Now there they were, wearing wetsuits and diving to big (cold) waves of Atlantic Ocean before get on stand on their surfing board to enjoy the ride. 

But at this time, places where not my main interest, it was people. I was of course looking forward at first place to meet Lisa and Annika but also curious to hear how did they feel after their Erasmus semester had been over and "normal life" started again. Nevertheless they where two people, two different stories: working in a farm or waiting second semester to kick up in at the home university. Both their greetings and stories were interesting to hear and made me think. How does the farm offers a possibility to integrate deeper in a real Irish life at countryside as the student life can't be called "a real Irish life" or what happens when many of your friends that you have spent one semester with are suddenly all gone and "a normal student life" that you have used to is about to start again. One main point anyway was that this is the Erasmus life, which is one of its' kind and can't be compared... And as nice it was to return same place again, it wasn't the same without the all the same people who were there with you. I kind of feel that already but I guess that I understand it completely after few months when this is (already!) over. 

 

 

BBQ-Season Opening

It's beginning of April and it starts to feel like a spring is actually coming... I mean that I barely can sleep already using only a blanket, not sleeping bag and blanket :D

When spring is rising it also did mean some sunny days (in Ireland, yes!), longer time daylight and a possibility to be outside without using a jacket at least some time. This all created an idea, let's have a barbecue but first there was one problem to solve: We didn't have a grill
Luckily there was an easy solution for it, marching to Tesco and buy one and it then it was time to warm up the grill.

Skewers, mushrooms filled with stilton (blue cheese), sausages, hamburgers, ribs, chicken drumsticks, pork sirloin steaks, bananas with nutella etc... Lots of food but we also were lot of people, something around 13 persons.

The smell of smoke, heat from coal, aromas of grilling meat, taste of a cold beer and company of friends... Having a bbq was a brilliant idea! Now when the season is opened, I can swear that even this was the first time, it won't be the last one.