Weeks 14-16: Filled with Final Adventures

Charles' Fort (Kinsale)

Between completing final assignments on the weekdays and fitting in road trips on the weekends, the last few weeks are flying by as the end of our semester abroad quickly approaches. The days have elapsed in fast-faced blur of scenery and memories that can only be distinguished by reminiscing over photos taken from each adventure- this post provides just brief highlights of all our recent pictures.

April 18th- Ballybunion and Listowel

Ballybunion Beach

My journal titled this day "the Sunday we almost didn't do anything." Emily's group for our exercise psychology class recorded their final presentation in the morning, an unexpectedly long and painful process. Thankfully our roommates decided to take a spontaneous afternoon excursion anyways to a beautiful beach and cliff walk ("the Cliffs of Moher part 2," according to Emily). Despite the overcast Irish weather, people abounded on the beach, walking the shore and even surfing. Juxtaposed with the sandy shore were sharply contrasting cliff faces, where the waves crashed with entrancing incessance. I determined that watching the ocean is the seaside equivalent of staring at a bonfire, and that I'd ideally live within reach of the ocean for my whole life. On the way back we stopped in Listowel, crossing another destination off the bucket list.

Cliffside walk along Ballybunion

April 21st- Adare

After recording two final presentations earlier in the week, we took a day off for an outing to Adare. The nearby village is infamous for its thatched-roof houses, and also happens to be the home of our on-site coordinator from CISabroad, Karina. Emily and I were joined by two of our friends, Zola Jane (US) and Madita (Germany). Karina kindly greeted us at the bus station and took us on a tour of her town, which included a riverside walk, a cathedral, and an impressive golf course. We shared a delicious poke bowl in the sunshine, walked around the city, and just absorbed the sunshine in the park. It was a beautiful day away that felt more like a weekend; one of many more to come.

April 25th- Loop Head, Bridge of Ross, and Spanish Point

Loop Head lookover

This day easily makes the list of my favorite days spent in Ireland. Our five housemates formed a group with two other cars full of our neighbors and stopped at the same destinations. The first was Loop Head, the northern point where the River Shannon meets the sea. It's marked by a lighthouse atop sheer cliffs overlooking vivid ocean views. From the tip, we sighted several dolphins and a sea lion while people picnicked on the grassy peak. 

Next stop was the Bridges of Ross, natural rock formations near Loop Head where waves beat rocky outcroppings in mesmerizing bursts of sea spray. (https://youtu.be/7ueS-DZB84c)

Spanish Point beach

Finally, we spent the longest at Spanish Point, a popular beach in Clare County. It was packed with people enjoying the unusually warm weather. We laid out towels on the sand, swam in the ocean, and laid in the sun. Jumping into the waves was exhilarating to say the least, but well worth the salty shock. A group played soccer and volleyball in the sand until the crowds thinned and people slowly trickled home. Just our 5 stayed to watch the sunset over supper (although the beachside restaurant had sadly run out of fish and chips). It was beautiful; a perfect end to a perfect day of sun.

Spanish Point sunset

April 26th-30th

This was one of our "crunch weeks" for completing assignments. Monday we enjoyed some warm weather by taking an outdoor lunch break with our roommates. New sections of the library were opened (woohoo) which we utilized to grind out the final papers. The major systematic literature reviews (worth 100% of our semester grades) were finally finished Friday night; we celebrated with a game night at our neighbors' apartment. (New favorite group game: telephone pictionary; it's even better with international students.)

May 1st- Cork

River Lee (Cork)

This bus trip also tops the list of destinations in Ireland. Emily and I were joined by four friends on the two-hour journey to Cork. The weather was much better than forecasted, which seems to be a fortunate theme of our travels (never plan around the predicted weather in Ireland- it will be different!) We visited the English Market, picnicked in a park, and spent the day walking around the beautiful city.

May 2nd- Cobh, Novohal Cove, Kinsale

Cobh's infamous "Deck of Cards"

This trip to county Cork was a similar location but different people than the previous day's outing. An entirely French group of comrades embarked on the scenic (if often slow) day of travel. Unbeknownst to me, Cobh was the last town where the Titanic was seen, so there was a memorial and informative signs scattered along the seaside. Apparently the Lusitania also sunk near this location, providing the opportunity for a brief history lesson with my French friends.

French flag, French friends

Next we visited Nohoval Cove before ending the day in Kinsale, the start of the infamous Wild Atlantic Way. The evening ended with fish and chips by the sea.

Nohoval Cove

Seaside town of Kinsale

Fish and chips picnic

May 4th- Kayaking in Limerick

Kayaking with Karina & Co.

Despite adverse weather conditions, our onsite coordinator (Karina) and her sons braved the wind, rain, and hail with us to kayak in the Shannon River. There was some spotty sunshine before and after the adventure (naturally), and our two friendly guides make the experience enjoyable.

May 5th- FINALLY FINISHED!

Today's only item on the agenda was completing our final assignment- at approximately 4:30 pm in the afternoon, we submitted the essays and were officially finished with junior year of college. Woohoo! It felt fairly anticlimatic; we decided to observe Cinco de Mayo to celebrate. Apparently no one else in Europe knows about Mexico's Independence Day, but we made chips and guac to share anyways.

May 7th- Carrauntoohil

Carrauntoohil- the highest peak in Ireland

In lieu of a cancelled weekend stay in Kerry, we took an all-day trip to hike the highest peak in Ireland. The path was appropriately named "Devil's Ladder," but the view from the peak was pretty close to heavenly. The clear skies were a welcome rarity that afforded an expansive view of the ocean, countryside, and mountains in one incredible panorama.

Our roommates at the top

On the return journey, we drove through the Gap of Dunlow, along the Ring of Kerry, and through Killarney National Park. The long day of driving was filled with dramatic landscapes that each rivaled the last, competing for our attention and awe in every direction. I simply savored the car time with the people who have quickly become my beloved family and favorite fellow adventurers- only one short week remaining before we all say good-bye to a semester full of fun times spent chasing Ireland's incredible views.