Journey alongside two students on our Career Ireland program as they discover Dublin’s wealth of inspiration for wordsmiths.
On July Fourth, we were able to explore Dublin by bus and train. After many rides on the local transportation systems, we arrived in Howth, a beautiful coastal town. We hiked along lush green cliffs overlooking the ocean until we reached the white lighthouse at the edge of the cliff. We walked silently while taking pictures, observing, and reflecting, so that, by the time we reached the edge of the hike, we could lay in the tall grass, look out at the sea, and write about our feelings and surroundings. This was picturesque and such a special experience.
Next, we went to an Irish step-dancing class where no one knew what to expect. We ended up learning two group dances and had an incredibly fun time! We ate dinner at a pub and got gelato in the busiest part of Dublin, the Temple Bar neighborhood. The decorative street was closed off to cars and full of shops, restaurants, and people. Although there were no fireworks, the Fourth of July in Ireland was incredibly exciting!
On Saturday, we spent some time exploring the Abbey Theater and learned about its intriguing past. We also explored hair, make-up, and costume design. Then, we went out for lunch and explored a few little shops before heading back to our hotel.
Back at the hotel, our first group of writers shared pieces they had been working on since arriving in Ireland. These works ranged from short stories to poetry, and each was a unique piece that was personal to each writer. After that we went out for a dinner filled with conversation, and spent the rest of the night watching an amazing play back at Abbey Theater.
Overall, these past few days have been filled with exploration and laughter and we cannot wait to see what is still to come!
Signing off,
Sophia and Sabrina
To learn more about our Career Ireland program, click here!