Student Bloggers
A Whole New World
Date
March 1, 2016
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain
This weekend I had the amazing opportunity to visit the wonderful country of Ireland! One of Arcadia’s excursions this semester included a trip to Dublin in honor of the rising that happened there in 1916 with this year marking the 100 year anniversary. On Easter Monday, April 24, 1916 leaders of the Rising seized the General Post Office in Dublin and proclaimed a free Irish Republic. This plays a big role into what eventually causes the separation of Ireland from Great Britain.
Scheduled events for this trip included a play called 'Cyprus Avenue,' a walking tour of the many sites of the 1916 Rising, a lecture on women’s involvement of the Rising and a guided tour of an Ireland WWI exhibit. During the walking tour we visited Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Liberty Hall, Garden of Remembrance and the City Hall. It was really fascinating to learn about the history of the Rising of 1916 by actually following in the footsteps of where the events actually happened. Overall, this weekend I learned so much about this significant event and its impact on Irish history.
So what is Dublin like? It’s very lively and has the vibe of a major city. It was very different from the casual and relaxed vibe of Aberdeen or even just Scotland in general. There are so many great things to do and see in Dublin! While there, I went on a bus tour that took me all around Dublin and I got to see so many awesome sights! After my tour, I headed to Trinity College where I saw the Book of Kells and the Long Room (part of the Trinity College library) which was probably my favorite part of the trip! To be surrounded by so, so many books is definitely one of the best feelings in the world! I could spend all day, every day there.
Though it was a fun and interesting experience, I’m glad to be back home in Scotland.