Awesome Kilkenny

Now this is what I was expecting. Kilkenny is a very neat little town with a ton of very cool old buildings and a million tiny shops on bricked and cobbled streets. Above is Kilkenny castle, originallly built in the 1400s and has continueally been added onto and worked on. The Butlers, the family that owned this castle, which they tried to defend against Oliver Cromwell at one point, also owned roughly 27,000 acres of land! Took a short tour of it today, very cool place. The castle today has a nice large park behind it which I was able to walk through and snap some pictures of the landscape.

Also went to mass at Black Abbey today in the afternoon, which was also a neat experience. I was the youngest one in there by 30 or 40 years, everyone else a devoted Irish Catholic. The picture here is of another church here in town..St. Catherine's I think.

Some of the old building are just surreal, and they are the type of things you only see in pictures. To see them here in real life has been incredible. I am looking to take a bus to Killarney, the county of our ancestors...specifically Michael O'Donoghue, likely on Wednesday if I don't decide to stay here until Friday. Really have enjoyed today the most of any of my days so far, even though the weather is like Wisconsin. Luckily, the locals say it has never been this bad, so the temperate 40 degree weather should come back soon. Right now it's about 20 degrees...max.

Kilkenny

I am here in the beautiful town of Kilkenny, Ireland and it is sweet. Finally got out of Dublin city and took a nice leisurely train ride for two hours into Kilkenny. I finally had the chance to get a view of the countryside and it really looked a lot like Wisconsin, with many fields and cows around the area.

Kilkenny itself is a neat little town and it reminds me of something like Dubuque with its little shops all over the place, except for the spectacular churches and it even has a castle! I'm hoping to take the tour tomorrow.

The hostel I'm staying at is pretty awesome...a very small place with about 16 beds and a very cozy atmosphere. I'm currently sitting next to a little coal fired stove watching some NFL on the Redzone. I enjoy this town much more than Dublin already, even though the weather is bitterly cold and shitty. I may have to spend everyone's souvenir allowance on a heavy wool jacket...sorry everyone.

Also for the first time I'm actually hanging out with Americans; one from Georgia, one from Houston , and one from Washington...a definite relief from the gaggle of Frenchmen at the last place. Also, one of the Americans just came from the west coast and had nothing but good things to say about it, which makes me feel good because that's the direction I'm heading.

Tomorrow I'll be touring the town a bit, taking a castle tour, and going to mass at Black Abbey Cathedral...so it should be a pretty interesting day and I'll be sure to add pictures.

Finally Moving On

Finally getting out of the city tomorrow, and I am definitely ready. Dublin is a fine city with a lot of character and history...but it's too big for me. I'm just not a city guy, as most of you know. I feel as if I have not used the last two days very well...and I really haven't done much with them except relax (good to do also). But at this point I want to begin to see what Ireland is really about, including it's castles, landscape, countryside, and rural communities.

I am not going to miss this hostel...although it is pretty nice, just ready to get out. Very busy this weekend with people coming for a couple days...mostly French people. The next city I'm heading to is Kilkenny, a two hour train ride south from Dublin. I'll be staying in a small hostel there for three days, which will be ample time to explore anything that needs exploring. From there, I have loose plans to head to Cork for two days and then on to Killarney, the place of my O'Donoghue ancestors. Great Great Great Grandpa Michael O'Donoghue had roughly 476 acres there with his son and grandson. Pretty interesting.

We also had our first snowfall in Dublin last night and today's conditions were pretty nasty; about 30 degrees with icy roads and slushy sidewalks. Reminded me of good 'ol Wisconsin.

Also today there was a huge rally to protest the austerity measures that the Irish government is trying to pass, which involves massive cuts in just about everything. It started as a march through the city and ended up in the city centre...about three blocks from my hostel, where an estimated 100,000 (city officials say more like 50,000) people gathered peacefully to listen to speakers. I watched from a distance...and it seemed to be a very quiet gathering. But it is clear that many Irish are against austerity measures...although those measures may be necessary. On the plus side...the value of the Euro is going down by the day, which means I can stretch my money a little bit further.

Looking forward to this next week...seems like I've been away from home (Wisconsin) for two years and it hasn't even been two weeks; I never realized how strange it would feel being in a place where I don't know anyone in 3,500 miles.

Hopefully cool pictures to come soon!

FIrst Pub Experience

I have finally made enough friends to go out for a drink with, so last night when drinks were chea; (allgegedly), I went out with three Frenchies and one South African. They decided to go to a place called The Lounge because drinks were cheap (allegedly) and the atmosphere is relaxed. The place ended up being nice and calm although the crowd was a little odd. I did not feel like having a Guinness because it didn't seem like a pub to me and I didn't want to spoil it, so I had a rum and coke for 7.50 Euros! Anyway it was nice to talk with people from different countries and discover some of the differences between the societies. Also the French tried to tell me that their cheese is better than anything in WI...laughable. The area where we went, Dublin 1, is very old and unique with brick and cobblestone roads and beautiful little shop areas that were buzzing in the night. Very cool area.

Here are some pictures I took around the city the other day. The one above is a guy playing fiddle like a madman in the city centre...and he was amazing. Had a huge crowd watching him on Sunday. Great great player.

This is a government official...can't remember his position...giving an update on the bailout situation to the news. To the right of him are protesters and I just barely missed being on the news.

Below is part of the city center where there are constantly people going around to shops and markets, and to wherever else they may be going. Christmas ornaments are up.

Sweating My Way Around Dublin

Yesterday was a bit of a slow day..just kind of hung out and relaxed which is ok. Feels kind of weird not having something to do all the time. Today I walked all the way across town to check out St. Patricks Cathedral hoping to get to mass at 11:00. Unfortunately I missed mass but got to check out the building a bit...and what an amazing church. Truly magnificent. I'm actually a little glad I missed mass because I was sweating my ass off by the time I got there even though it was about 45 degrees out today. The weather here has actually been really nice so far, with only one day of drizzle, otherwise it has been mostly sunny and crisp.

Stopped in at a clothing store called Penney's (JC Penny's?) and picked up a t shirt, cap, and a pair of jeans. As par usual I didn't try the jeans on and when I

finally did I realized how terribly ugly they are...haha oh well. I needed another pair of jeans...was tired of wearing Dickies work pants. Oh, and they were only 7 Euros, and the shirt was 4 Euros...how awesome is that.

Think I'll get a hair cut tomorrow finally and possibly shave the beard...it's getting pretty annoying but at the same time I want to see how long I can get it....oh the decisions!

I have an alarming amount of French people staying in my dorm...at least four of them...they are in bed already and it's 7:30!

One has been in bed literally all day watching movies for the third day straight.

I should not generalize but the historical laziness of the French has been on full display..but at least they haven't been smelly or rude haha. This hostel is actually pretty quiet, which is nice, but the people are pretty quiet when you talk to them which is a little..blah I guess.

Also found a place around the corner that I can lift on the cheap...although it is easily the dingiest weight room I have ever been in and it is aptly called "The Basement". But at least I finally got a workout in and they even had a tiny room with a punching bag so I was able to get a couple rounds in there, using boxing gloves from probably 1970. Sitting around the tv room now and am going to take it easy and read tonight. Also there is a big protest Friday or Saturday against the austerity measures and the government bailout so hopefully I will get a chance to see that.

Thank Goodness fo Aldies

Today the best thing ever happened...finally found an actual grocery store in the form of Aldies. I was extremely excited as I have not been eating too well lately. I bought a bunch of good food for only ten Euros, and even got some peanut butter which I have been going through withdrawals from. I also bought some bread that was pretty inexpensive and I'm not even kidding it's like homemade bread..it is great. Also took a bunch of pictures today around Dublin, be sure to load those tomorrow.

Made a tour of the National Archeological Museum of Ireland today which was a neat experience, and there was even some preserved bodies on display, along with some cool iron work and weapons dating back centuries. Upon leaving the museum, I almost made the news because there was a government official talking about the bailout to reporters, and I was standing next to him during the interview..but I did not make the video footage! People are very upset about the bailout and there's a rally Friday to protest against it...think I'll be attending that one.

Pretty lazy today though, which wasn't a bad thing. Looks like laundry day tomorrow and hopefully mass at St. Patricks Cathedral, as well as planning for Kilkenny- my next stop.

Can I Please Get a Cup of Coffee!!

Since my days laboring in the third floor of the Oshkosh library I have come to enjoy a good cup of coffee. French Roast, Columbian, even Sumantra. Black. Unfortunately for me, all coffee in Ireland is instant...and terrribbblllleeee. And Terribly expensive. Tonight I strolled down O'Connell street and stopped into a coffee shop and ordered an Americano, which is regular coffee. I paid two Euros or roughly $3.50 for twelve once cup...and watched in dismay as the worker poured hot water into a cup, took the instant coffee off the shelf, and added a couple spoonfuls. What I wouldn't do for a cup of Dad's home brew, or that of Grounded Specialty, Java Detour, Java Vino, Caribou, or the CoOp. And another thing that's vastly superior in America...the stores. I have taken for granted places like Festival Foods and the CoOp, and I have yet to see anything even remotely close. I am missing American food like crazy and the home cooked meals I love. OH WELL.

Anyway, today was pretty cool; I set out this morning hoping to get to the National Museum. On my way there this morning I passed by Trinity College and took a self-guided tour. What a beautiful campus, oozing in tradition. Unfortunately I did not have my camera but I will tomorrow when I go back. When I got to the Library I was able to do some research on our family history and went through some microfilms of old church records. Discovered that my great great Grandfather Michael O'Donoghue II had a plot with his son (John) and grandson (David) that was about 470 acres. I enjoyed looking through the microfilm...might be my new favorite hobby. Unfortunately that was about all I could find, no specific locations.

Pretty quiet night here at the hostel and it's great. More to come tomorrow...hopefully checking out the Library, the National Museum, and St. Patricks Cathedral. Pictures soon!

First Day at Hostel

Well today was pretty eventful. Had to get out of the hotel by noon, which wasn't a problem except that the Russian lady at the check out wouldn't let me use my gift cards...had no idea what I was talking about. Not a big deal and was actually a bit humorous. Loaded up my big pack, all 50+ pounds of it and jumped on to the Luas...awesome mode of transportation. The ride was packed with people all the way to my stop, Abbey road. Once I got off the Luas, I made my way to the hostel and found it easily, thanks to my hours of wandering around the streets yesterday. I am currently staying at Mnt. Eccles hostel in Dublin, a pretty interesting place no doubt. It could be a rough night for me sleeping in a dorm style room with a bunch of other people, but we'll see how it goes. I finally had a full meal. The basement of the hostel has a big kitchen where you can make your own stuff...so I finally didn't have to eat at McDonald's tonight. And although I only had some noodles and corn, it was satisfying.

Before I grubbed up I had to find some food and some other things, like soap. I decided, after I checked into the hostel that I should walk around and find some supplies. I immediately got lost. This time I was lost for roughly three hours, and at one point, I was so lost that I came within two blocks of my hostel..from the opposite way. Then turned around and went all the way across town and found my hostel coming the opposite way of that. Basically did a 20 mile loop. At least it wasn't raining...constantly. I was able to find a little store and bought some noodles corn and soap. Just a regular bar of soap..no big deal right? Well this soap..according to the package, has the 'traditional aroma of coal tar'? Who the hell wants to smell like that? Well anyway I guess I'll be smelly like a dirty asphalt worker for the rest of my trip, but at least it's antibacterial soap so I won't smell like b.o.

Tonight after I ate I decided to walk down to the city centre again. Earlier today it was unbelievably busy with shoppers and performers and everything else...absolutely nuts. Tonight, they had a big light show in the square right next to the spire, and music playing for everyone. I only caught the last 5-10 minutes but it was pretty awesome to see all those people there dancing and enjoying it. Tomorrow I plan on hitting the National Museum and National Library for most of the day. Should be fun.

First Full Day

It has been an interesting day here in Dublin. Slept in pretty late, still working off the jet lag, but once I going I decided to take a little tour of the city. I took the Luas to the city center and decided that I should find the hostel I am staying at tomorrow so I don't have to do so carrying my 50 pound pack. I immediately got lost and ended up wandering a bit, eventually finding what I needed to. I was able to find some fine Irish cuisine, a footlong ham and turkey on wheat from Subway haha. Tomorrow I plan on going to the Irish National Library and the National Museum, where I hope to do some research on mygenealogy. If I enjoy my hostel, I will stay there until Sunday, then proceed to the small city of Kilkenny. I did see some interesting things around town today, including these statues of famine sufferers, and these trash receptacles. I have noticed, just in two short days, the sense ofIrish pride that is present in the people, and these statues show the pain of lifetimes past. Very interesting. Also I went to a local church tonight to go to Sat night mass and it turned out to be very similar to church in the States. I am looking forward to getting to an old cathedral out in the countryside however. Overall an interesting and tiring day.

Hotel

The elusive Sheldon Park Best Western and the view from my room. Interesting

Arrival in Dublin

Well after a long sleepless night of flying, I made it into Dublin this morning at 8am. Luckily for me the seat next to me was not occupied so I had a little extra space during the trip. But it was a long ride. After getting lost in the Dublin airport, I immediately took a 30 minute bus ride to the WRONG hotel (which ended up being three blocks from the airport), and a short three hours later I find myself at the correct hotel after a Luas (electric rail) ride. I'm extremely tired and it's nearly noon here...time for a much needed nap. Looking to walk around Dublin this afternoon...the area I'm in reminds me of Fon du Lac hahaha. More to come, stay tuned.

Day of Departure

TODAY IS THE DAY! Stayed in Milwaukee last night and had a great supper with Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike as well as Katie, Eric and Logey. Also had a chance to visit Nate and Kaitlin and got to see baby Harlan for the first time.

Driving down to Chicago today with Eric for the jump over the pond. My flight departs at 7pm tonight and arrives in Dublin tomorrow morning at 9am. Overall flight time is about 8 hours, with a 6 hour time difference.

I'm very excited to get on the plane...I keep asking myself if I'm prepared and what I'm going to do when I get there. The important thing for me on this trip is to go with the flow and not get too bogged down in planning.

I'll be sure to post pictures asap...I'll catch you all on the flip side.