Travel Log

Monday & Tuesday, April 1-2nd

Bowling Green, KY -> Dublin, Ireland

After a heartfelt goodbye with my parents at the Nashville airport, and a triple check off my list, I was ready to take to the skies. I traveled with my BFF Sophie which made it less stressful and more fun! Our flight left BNA around 2 PM, and after a layover in NJ, we finally landed in Dublin around 10 AM, on April 2nd. We immediately were picked up and taken to the train station in Heuston where we had a mental break down, waited 4 hours, then got on a train to Westport. We were beat after a long couple days with 0 sleep, so after Louise picked us up, took us to the beach, and fed us....we were down for the count.

Wednesday, April 3rd

Westport -> Dingle, Ireland

We woke up bright and early to catch the bus! After a long 9 hour bus ride we finally made it to Dingle around 4 PM. It was so cute and the town looked like it was from a storybook. Although it was rainy, the cute town was so cozy and inviting. We checked into our cute hotel and layed down because we were pooped. After we collected ourselves we went to dinner, where ordered I fish and chips. We ended the night pretty early because the next day we were going on a sea safari!

Thursday, April 4th

Dingle, Ireland

We woke up bright and early to eat breakfast before our sea safari. We headed over to Dingle Sea Safari and put on our parkas and met some people from Washington. Once everyone arrived, the tour guide went over wha the day had in store for us, then we got onto the boats. It was the most fun I have ever had. From the massive cliffs to the shimmering dark blue water, I could not get enough. I din't realize how fast the boat was going to go which was so fun! We saw seals, puffins, and dolphins. I am currently writing this on April 24th, and this is one of the highlights of my trip. If you are every asking yourself if you should go on a sea safari, the answer is an immediate yes! After the sea safari we got some coffee and explored more of Dingle. We headed back to the hotel eventually and rested for a bit before dinner. We ended the night going to SuperValu to get some treats and ended the night happy and delirious.

Friday, April 5th

Dingle-> Westport, Ireland

We had another long bus day to head back to Westport. Whenever we arrived back in Westport we literally had dinner then went to bed immediately. Something about a long travel day just takes it out of you.

Saturday & Sunday, April 6th-7th

Westport, Ireland

We slept in on Saturday, which was so nice. After a slow morning/afternoon Sophie and I headed into town for some coffee. We hadn't really explored Westport so it was so fun! We walked around the shops and took in the views. We got ice cream and coffee from Krem, and it was so delicious! We went to Porterhouse and tried our first Guiness because that is a part of the Irish culture. It was not for me, but the pub's environment and the live traditional Irish music was a 10/10! We all had a blast and ended the night so happy to be a part of this quaint, beautiful town. The next day Sophie and I watched the livestream of our church service. Then, we went back into town to explore some more and do some work. Before going to bed we walked down the Quay, and watched the sunset. It was a great day.

Monday, April 8th

Westport, Ireland

After a quick breakfast and a morning prayer I was ready to start my day and meet the students! Louise dropped me off at Murrisk at about 20 past 8 because it was my first day and I wanted to meet the teachers and familiarize myself with the school. I was first greeted by Maria, who was the senior classroom teacher, then I met the other two teachers who were very kind. I was put in the Junior classroom which consisted of Kindergarten through third grade. As the students entered they were very curious at the strange American woman standing in their classroom with a big grin on her face. We started off the day with Irish, where the students learned about how to talk about television and their favorite television programs in Irish. It was so interesting to see how the students can switch from English to Irish on a whim, and could speak so well at a young age. The students then worked on Literacy, "Maths", then Irish Dance, which was fabulous to watch. The day flew by and I am so excited for the next three weeks at Murrisk. After school, I walked down the Quay and got a latte from Pier23, then came back to Broadlands to work on my website. Amy is making burgers as I am writing this, then after dinner I am going to take another walk over to Westport house.

Freyah and I enjoying our dinner!

Tuesday, April 9th

Westport, Ireland

I was excited to get to school after experience the first day at Murrisk national school, which was fabulous. When I arrived at school I helped the students with their math and reading. Every week a coach comes to Murrisk to teach the students Gaelic Football, which involves kicking, throwing, dribbling, and hitting...I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. What really threw me was that dismissal is at 2:30, and all the students were gone in 7 minutes. All the teachers were in there cars and out of the parking lot by 2:37! After school, the other WKU students and I went for a walk around town and Westport House. It was absolutely stunning outside! After our walk we had fajitas, courtesy of our fabulous cook, Amy. Sophie and I decided to watch the sunset after dinner, and sit down by the Quay. As we were walking back to the B&B we ran into Louise, and we joined her on her walk. After a 3.5 mile walk around the Quay with Freyah, we took showers, packed our lunches, and quickly fell asleep.

Wednesday, April 10th

Westport, Ireland

Getting out of bed was harder due to how cloudy and stormy it was! Despite the cloudiness, the morning drive to Murrisk was still beautiful as I saw Croagh Patrick in the distance. It was really stormy today so the students didn't go out for recess. After school, Amy cooked Bangers and Mash, which consisted of mashed potatoes and sausages. The food was delicious! After dinner, me and the girls watched Irish Wish, which was filmed here in Wesport! It was so fun to see the places we've been, and make fun of the inaccuracy. After the movie I might walk down to the Quay! Today was a great day!

My view from my classroom window yesterday.

My view from my classroom window today.

Thursday, April 11th

Westport, Ireland

Today was a great day, as I am starting to become more comfortable in the school, and getting to know the students better. We didn't do much after school because we were all pretty tired. After an excellent meal, we watched a movie then went to bed.

Friday, April 12th

Westport, Ireland

After a great day at school we came home and went for a walk. It was an absolute gorgeous day, which is fair and few these days. After dinner, Wwee decided to go out onto the town because it was Friday. We went to Porterhouse again, but there was no music playing and we were getting tired, so we left. We decided to leave pretty early and watch a little RomCom at the B&B. We went to bed pretty early because we were all tired from the week.

Saturday, April 13th

Westport, Ireland

After a well deserved rest we decided to hit the town! Sophie and I went to eat brunch at Servd which is an amazing restaurant in town that you MUST try! The food and the atmosphere was a 10/10! After eating, we walked around the shops and then Westport house. We were able to walk the grounds and take pictures. Westport was very busy because there was a marathon going on which was fun to see and cheer on the runners. After we came home, we ate dinner, then hit the town once again. We went to Porterhouse, but I was not feeling it, so instead I walked down to the sunset and got myself a cold coke zero. We watched a movie and were in bed by 11 (my kind of night).

Sunday, April 14th

Westport, Ireland

We all had a late start to the morning, which was nice. Then, Joe and Bridget (Louise's parents) took us Connemara National Park. It was incredible, even though it was rainy and windy. Joe was a well of knowledge about Ireland's history as we were driving through Connemara. When we arrived at Kylemore abbey we only had about an hour before it closed, so we really had to book it. We first took a shuttle bus to the beautiful gardens, then to the abbey. The abbey was full of information about the Henry family and all the well-known people that stayed there. After an eventful hour at the abbey, Joe and Bridget took us to eat fish and chips, which were so delicious! We crashed when we came home.

Monday, April 15th

Westport, Ireland

Today was a normal day at Murrisk, which always involves some laughs! After school I had an interview over Google Meet. Then I ate dinner and about 20 minutes late the principal called and offered me the job for 6th grade Language Arts teacher. Sophie and I walked down to Krem to celebrate. It was an amazing night full of laughs, screams, and prayers. I face timed my family and fell asleep so happy!

Tuesday, April 16th

Westport, Ireland

Today we went on a field trip to Sancta Maria college to watch their performance of Beauty and the Beast. The students and myself enjoyed it thoroughly! After I got home we went into town and got coffee from Ocees, which was delectable, 10/10! Whenever we walked back to the B&B the dinner was ready. We ate dinner, watched a movie, then went to bed. Not a busy day, but relaxed and fun nonetheless.

Wednesday, April 17th

Westport, Ireland

Today was pretty uneventful but pleasant day at school. I came home and chilled before dinner. After we ate dinner we went on a long 4.5 mile walk because the sun was out! We finished the night by watching a cheesy Rom-Com then went to bed. The days are just flying by.

Thursday, April 18th

Westport, Ireland

After school today we went to Bertra Beach and walked with Louise, Sophie, Cassie, and Freyah. It was beautiful and windy! Whenever we got home dinner was ready so we chowed down and talked with Amy. After dinner, Sophie and I went to Krem (again) and enjoyed our ice cream while people watching (the best combo). Now we are watching Gossip Girl and working on our google sites. Tomorrow I am leaving for Dublin right after school, so I will need to pack my bags tonight! My parents are flying into Dublin Saturday morning which I am so thrilled about.

Friday, April 19th

Westport -> Dublin, Ireland

After school, Sophie and I took a bus to Dublin. It was a pretty hectic afternoon but we finally made it to Roganstown Country Club in Swords around 10 PM. We were relieved that we made it and I was excited to see my parents in the morning. School was great today and the students were excited about the good weather we are supposed to be getting over the weekend.

Saturday, April 20th

Dublin, Ireland

My parents came in around 5 AM and I was so happy to see them. We ate breakfast at the hotel then headed out to Dublin. We walked around Dublin and saw the cool shops, cafes, and beautiful architecture. We went to the infamous Temple Bar and it was so crowded, which was expected. Additionally we went to Phoenix Park and walked around and soaked up the brilliant sunshine. Later,my dad aarrived and we ate a restaurant called The Boxty House which was delicious. After, we shopped some more then went to the Dublin Castel and Trinity College. We ended the day at a cute pub where we listened to some live music and enjoyed some fruity drinks. Today was a great day and I am looking forward to the Cliffs of Moher tomorrow!

Sunday, April 21st

Dublin-> Cliffs of Moher

We had a wonderful breakfast at the Hotel then headed off for the Cliffs of Moher. I'm gonna skip the 2.5 hour drive and get to the good stuff. The Cliffs of Moher were the most spectacular thing I have ever seen in my life. The weather was perfect and sunny, which is so rare for Ireland. All the pictures I took can't even do it justice. I felt like my eyes needed to be bigger so I could see everything all at once. Sophie and I climbed to the top and jsut layed down in the grass, soaking in the sunshine and the beautiful. After spending a good 3.5 hours at the cliffs, my parents drove us back to Westport. We stopped at this cute restaurant along the way, and it was delicious. We ended the night in Westport around 10 PM and my parents ended up staying at the B&B with me which was so nice! It was a magnificent day!

Monday, April 22nd

Westport, Ireland

My parents and I went for breakfast at This Must Be The Place, then they dropped me off at school. I took them inside and introduced them to my teachers and some of my students. Today was Earth day so we spent about 3 hours outside with the students. I taught my students the Cotton Eye Joe and they tried to teach me some Irish dancing. After school we walked to the Quay and got coffee, this is becoming a routine. The sunset was beautiful and we ended the night watching a movie and hitting the hay.

Tuesday, April 23rd

Westport, Ireland

After school, I met with Sophie and her family, who just flew in! We walked them around town then ate at Coveys. After eating at Coveys, we around some more and had some good laughs. I wasn't feeling too good so I went to bed early.

Wednesday, April 24th

Westport, Ireland

Today was a normal day at school, but afterwards myself and a couple teachers climbed Croagh Patrick. We went to the shoulder and back which took about 2.5 hours, and it was amazing. We couldn't have asked for better weather and a better crowd. I was beat by the time I got home so I ate dinner then chilled for a bit. Later, Sophie and I went for a walk and saw the beautiful sunset. Now we are watching a movie.

Thursday, April 25th

Westport, Ireland

After school I came home and took a nap because I was pretty tired. I then walked down the Quay and listened to music. I have noticed that I need my alone time frequently and that it is very necessary.

Friday, April 26th

Westport, Ireland

Today was my last day at Murrisk and let me tell you, tears were shed. We spent half an hour outside in the morning because it was sunny. Towards the end of the day I knew something was up because they were all acting mischievous. Whenever I came out of the restroom they all said "We'll miss you Ronnye Jo!" and gave me my gifts. They got me this amazing Mayo flag which they all signed! They also have me a bracelet, mug, notes, chocolate, and chips! Today was such a bittersweet day and I cannot thank Murrisk enough for their hospitality. After school we all went to Achill and it was beautiful! We saw the most gorgeous beach where they filmed The Banshees of Inisherin. We got home late, then ate fajitas, courtesy of Amy.

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