Getting my Bearings

I can’t believe I’ve been in Dublin for more than two weeks! My time here has been a whirlwind, but so much fun. Since arriving, I attended orientation, started classes, made friends, and took some day trips out of the city!

My first week in Ireland was dedicated to orientation events, which were super helpful to meet everyone in the program! The IES Abroad staff were kind enough to get us all DoDublin bus tickets, which is a hop-on hop-off tour through the city. Some friends and I took the bus to Trinity College and Dublin Castle, and saw many sights along the way too!

I spent my first weekend exploring the city and its nightlife! One of my favorite things about Dublin is the many opportunities to see live music, often for free! Traditional Irish music is incredible, and there are plenty of amazing modern musicians and bands as well. All you have to do is follow the music! 

I also took the train about half an hour outside of Dublin to Malahide Castle and Gardens. The castle is gorgeous from the outside, and the inside is rich with elaborate architecture, furniture, and art, which is preserved as it was for hundreds of years. If you’re a history enthusiast like I am, I can’t recommend Malahide enough! Outside of the castle, the extensive grounds include gardens, a butterfly house, and a fairy trail. Lined with intricate wood statues, flowers, and trees, the trail is so magical and brought my friends and me back to our childhoods. 

Another great day trip just outside of Dublin is the Howth Peninsula. The coastal town has lots of restaurants and shops to check out, but the main attraction is the cliff hike. It has several trails of varying difficulties, but all have stunning views of the ocean and cliffs. If you’re lucky and attentive, you might also spot seals in the water below!

Unfortunately, I got sick with a cold shortly after arriving. This wasn’t surprising considering all the new people and places I’d been. Dealing with sickness in a foreign country presents a unique set of challenges. Unlike what I’m used to in America, there aren’t stores like Walmart or Target that have a bit of everything. Also, the brands of medicine are different. Luckily, the nearest pharmacy was able to get me the cold medicine I needed, and with the aid of tea with honey and lots of rest, I was soon on the mend.

During my second week in Dublin, classes began. So far, my favorite classes are an Irish film class and a contemporary Irish history class. In all my courses, I’ve been learning and writing in different ways. I’m beginning to push myself outside of my comfort zone and explore the city and country on my own. So far, my favorite things about Ireland are the natural beauty and the rich history and culture. I’m from Massachusetts, one of the most historic places in America, but the depth of this history here blows my mind. You can turn the corner and see something from hundreds or thousands of years ago, and often it's surrounded by apartment buildings or shops. The layers of history in Dublin are fascinating to peel back and explore. I can’t wait to keep exploring Ireland and documenting it through my blog posts!