Sunday, July 26, 2009

Quiet Man Pilgrimage


Journeyed to the wee' village of Cong to visit the Quiet Man Cottage Museum.



Dedication plaque inside the museum.



Items in the replica of Mary Kate's bedroom set.



Tandem bicycle just like the one John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara ride in the movie.

Journalist Ben Anderson



Went to hear a chap named Ben Anderson, who's a British journalist, give a talk at the old Hotel Meyrick in Eyre Square- one of the very last events to take place for the Galway Arts Festival.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Claddagh Ring Shopping



Caitlin finally caved in and decided to take a wee bit of the luck o' the Irish home with her in the form of a Claddagh ring.



An impressive mural on the wall of the shop.

Mister Waffle!



After several failed attempts when we arrived only to find they'd closed early, we finally got to experience the bliss of Mr. Waffle. Here I am enjoying my sugar waffle with fresh whipped cream.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Dinner at Rodeo



Ate at a funny Western themed restaurant for dinner. They had John Wayne photos everywhere, and all the menu items were named for chaps who are famous in the history of the wild west.


They even had cacti on the table- how appropriate!


We got free "biscuits" called Wagon Wheels along with our bill.

Farewell Luncheon



We had a farewell luncheon this afternoon at Murty Rabbitt's pub.



Here I am with some of my new mates from William and Mary.



After lunch we picked up some truffles for dessert at Butler's Chocolate Cafe.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Progressive Party!

Celebrated one of the last nights in Galway with a dessert "Progressive Party." We visited each of the 5 William and Mary apartments, and enjoyed tasty desserts at each stop. Started in our own apartment with a spread of Digestive Biscuits, Jaffa Cakes, Strawberries, Cheesecake... and in honor of Supermac's, warm muffins with ice cream.



Then headed to the boys' apartment across the hall for homemade rice krispy treats- very impressive.

Next stop, chocolate and peanut butter cake- yum!

An impressive array of cookies in the next apartment.



Finished off the night with "ice lollies" - delicious!

Final Geology Field Trip



Drove through beautiful Connemara one more time for the final geology class field trip.


We visited the marine institute associated with NUI Galway, and learned pretty much anything a chap could ever want to know about salmon and cod- and then some... Also saw some beautiful tropical fish like these, which are bred to sell to hobbyists.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

"Wilde" Time in Galway



Went to run a few errands in the City Centre today, and came across Oscar Wilde!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

David Gray Concert!



Went to hear that lad David Gray perform as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Here I am in front of the "Big Top" where the concert was held.



It's a little hard to tell, but here I am in the crowd, enjoying the show.


Here I am with the ticket stub and advertisements afterwards.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Time to Hit the Books



Despite all the fun that's been going on, there's still a wee bit o' studyin' to be done as well. Here I am helping Caitlin review for her Irish Literature final exam.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

In Search of the Phantom...



Returned to the Opera House while it was open to actually get to tour inside. Here I am in the main foyer. Still no sign of that Phantom chap, though. :-)


Looking down on the grand staircase.



A model set that is stored in the on-site library. Just my size!



In the main part of the theatre.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

In the Steps of Ernest Hemingway



Visited some of the former haunts of Ernest Hemingway during his Paris years. One stop was Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore which he used to frequent.



Stopped in for dessert at Le Pré aux Clercs Cafe, a favorite of Hemingway's. The chocolate mousse was delicious, but I'm guessing Hemingway favored something a wee bit "stronger" when he used to drop in.

Musee de Victor Hugo



Went to Place des Vosges to see the former home of Victor Hugo, which is now a museum and an art gallery dedicated to his work.



Statue of Victor Hugo in the gallery.


A portion of the gallery was dedicated to Les Miserables. Here I am with a statue of Cosette as a wee lass.



Close-up of the Cosette statue.

More Paris Sightseeing



Spent the day exploring more of the sights of Paris. Here I at L'Hotel de Ville.



The Louvre!



Stopped by the Garnier Opera House to try and pay a visit to the Phantom... sadly he wasn't in. :-)



Statue of Garnier behind the Opera House.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Bonjour Paris!



Left me' beloved Emerald Isle to travel with the lasses from William and Mary during their free weekend. We took one of those confounded Ryanair flights that costs ye' next to nothin', and next thing we knew we were in Paris!



Took an evening boat ride on the Seine to see Paris all aglow.



It was a wee bit rainy our first night in Paris- apparently we brought the Irish rain with us!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Emmy the Great



Stopped for a fish and chips dinner at McDonagh's, a very popular restaurant in Galway.


Then headed over to Roisin Dubh to hear Emmy the Great, a wee lass from Britain, play a concert at part of the Galway Arts Festival.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Harry Potter!!



Although Ireland doesn't seem to partake in the midnight movie hysteria, the girls did make it to an evening showing of the most recent movie about that lad Harry Potter today. Here I am with the ticket stub, and a special Irish magazine celebrating the film's release.

Connemara Marble Quarry



Went to the home of the beautiful Connemara marble to visit a quarry there.



A view of the actual quarry.


Piles of leftover "scrap" marble- they let everyone take a piece home with them!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Home Sweet Home at Corrib Village



The girls are growing quite fond of their little apartment in Corrib Village. They are even making home-cooked meals... gasp! ;-)
Tonight's dinner was garlic and herb chicken with pasta- delicious!