In the next few weeks I will be discovering Ireland, whose culture is so highly represented in Rosemount, MN, our town, settled by Irish immigrants in 1858. Excitement is building in my mind and in my heart as the prospect of travel always lights a fire in me. Knowing little about the Irish culture past the obvious or stereotypical shamrocks, Leprechauns, Irish dance, and Irish Pubs, I confess I have much to learn. Surely once I return, Shannon Parkway, Connemara Trail, Glendalough Court and the like will mean much more to me than street names in Rosemount.

Months have gone by, learning about Ireland from square one. My trail blazer friends have shared bits and pieces of information and impressions to soak in. Books and Internet have provided me with an education, but learning of Ireland and its people on location will be the best possible course of study.

Anticipation is a big part of any experience. I have fueled enough anticipation to propel me into Ireland ready to absorb sights, culture, music, Celtic language (I am a language junkie!), cuisine, nature, people, and everything in between...Yes, even rain. Another part of this anticipation is that I will share all discoveries with my good friend Françoise who shares my inquisitive attitude towards different cultures. For a few years, when both of us were still teaching, we organized cultural and linguistic Pen Pal exchanges with our respective classes. Some of my students also got to visit her school and town during one of our student group tours to France.

As I love taking pictures with my compact camera and consider it the most important tool during my travels, I am considering bringing a backup camera in case anything happens to it. I could not bear the thought of missing out on any beautiful shots... Photos are the most important (and most convenient) souvenirs one could bring back!

Rain gear is the other necessity for this trip, something I am not accustomed to (we live in snow land), thanks to the constant shelter of buildings and cars. Time to shop for comfortable, watertight shoes. Got any suggestions?

Going back to research - a task Françoise and I shared - we won't be able to visit it all in just over a week's time. We created our itinerary based on public transportation service since we will not rent a car. Neither of us wished to drive "on the wrong side" :) However, visiting a country by train and bus only is a valuable lesson, especially when coming from a country where we are used to driving ourselves around.

Our itinerary:

We start with Dublin for a few days; take a day excursion either to Malahide, to Glendalough and the Wicklow mountains, the Hills of Tara, or Newgrange; travel by train to Tralee from which we will book excursions to Dingle town and the Dingle Peninsula. We will then travel to Galway from where we will visit the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Connemara area. As we travel back to the Dublin area, we will spend the last night in Dun Laoghaire. By the way, if you didn't know it, this last town is pronounced Dun Lay-rah (or I've even heard Dun Leary! Will have to find out for myself and let you know).

Will surely follow up with more from my Irish experience. Tabhair aire, everyone! (Stay safe and take care!)

Photo Credits: My former French student and good friend of my son's, Mary B., was so very kind to share some of her own beautiful shots, as I don't have my own yet. Mille mercis, Mary!

St Patrick's Church: What is not visible, is the ethereal chant of the boys' choir that was filling the church during the visit. — St Patrick's Church: What is not visible, is the ethereal chant of the boys' choir that was filling the church during the visit.

The Ireland Report - Part 1

From an American Irish town to Ireland

Blog