A continuation

This blog began (only a few days ago) as a continuation of a previous blog I kept over the past couple of months. After graduating from college in May, I decided to take a big trip to Ireland. Now, it's not as cool and spontaneous as it sounds. I planned the trip for almost four months and saved for nearly six. I studied abroad in Cork City during the fall semester of my junior year, and ever since I first landed there two years ago, I had been figuring out ways that I could get back. So this trip was it. But far from sating my thirst for all things Ireland, it only make it stronger.

I play Irish traditional music, so the main part of my trip was to be travelling to some of Ireland's famed summer music festivals. I ended up attending the Joe Mooney Festival in Leitrim, and one of my best friends joined me for the infamous Willie Clancy festival in Clare. The music was fantastic and the stories are abundant. However, I also wanted to get the time to visit all my friends who are still in Ireland, so for the last week of my trip I travelled around Cork and Kerry, paying visits and having fun.

My trip was going to be four weeks long, the month of July. However, the last semester of my college career, I was awarded a scholarship to take an immersion course in Connemara, Galway to study and learn the Irish language. Though I had little to no interest in the Irish language, I decided to take the scholarship and the experience. The dates aligned perfectly with my trip, extending it to six weeks by adding two and half at the beginning. It turned out that my time in Galway was some the most fun I had the whole summer.

Living the Gaeltacht is like no other experience. Irish is the first language, which to most of the world let alone most of the country is a surreal reality. It's an experience that merits time and energy to contribute to and enjoy the community, to make friends and connections, and to properly master the language (a language that you really won't hear or use any where else). I was also shocked by how strong the music was in the area, by how many people were extremely accomplished musicians, and by how music really seemed a second nature to the community. The area is so completely different to my little city and my little suburb culture that it seemed like another planet. Anyway, needles to say, I have now found a new place to which I am plotting to return. I will, as always, keep you posted on details. Until then, I will post about the Irish music and culture from time to time, but if you would like to read all about the trip, you can find the original SE Diva Abroad blog here at sedivaabroad.tumblr.com. Hope you enjoy it!

Slán go fóill!