Cliffs of Moher

It has definitely been a crazy week, in both good and not so good ways. Here is my new list of things that make me miss the good ol US of A:
                     -Almost nowhere takes Visa...which can be quite problematic
                     -Laundry costs 6 euro....for ONE load of laundry. This means that I wash most of my
                      clothes in the kitchen sink and prolong using the washing machine as long as humanly
                      possible.
                   

Besides those minor details, I'm starting to find my way here. I finished my first week of classes without getting lost, and may have gotten lucky enough to not have to buy any textbooks which is grand. The sun has shown its face at least twice this week and I actually got to sit in my room with bare feet (which is a major accomplishment considering how stinking cold its been here and taking into account that we only get 6 hours of heat in our dorm per day). The best two things about this week however are definitely 1) the package I got in the mail with lots of yummy food in it and 2) my trip yesterday to the Cliffs of Moher - one of the top ten places in Ireland to go and visit. So below are several pictures from my trip.

 After leaving the university, we drove through the rugged beauty of County Clare. This picture was taken in Ennis during our first stop off the coach.

 Lemanagh Castle (Leamaneh in Gaelic means 'the horses leap') was first constructed in 1480, and later erected once again by the O'Briens of Thomond in 1648. Maire ni Mahon, the wife of Conor O'Brien was one of the most infamous women in Irish folklore, best known for her flaming red hair which earned her the nickname of Maire Rua (Red Mary). A few years after rehabilitating the castle Conor O'Brien was killed in battle against the Cromwellians.

 The Burren, an area covering approximately 250km squared, is a rugged limestone landscape where there is little soil cover. There are hundreds of natural caves, and the stones covering the land for miles on end originated as glacial deposits from the end of the last Ice Age. Much of the area is protected due to several incidents of people coming in to cart away barrels full of the stone.

 Poulnabrone Dolmen, meaning "hole of sorrow," is a portal tomb that has been undisturbed since the new Stone Age in 3000 BC. The table topped Neolithic tomb was most likely used ceremoniously well into the Celtic period, and would have initially been constructed to honor an important person.

 This picture was taken at Ballyvaughan, a once thriving port importing and exporting goods to north Clare from Connemara. The pier is on the edge of Galway Bay, and looking across you can just make out the city of Galway itself. On the left are the Twelve Bens mountains and on the right are the Maam Turk mountains.

 Stopping at Doolin Pier we got a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean and one of the three Aran Islands. The islands are historically unique, and though small they are home to early Christian remains and ancient monuments. The people of these islands are also a big part of keeping the Irish language alive.

After visiting the pier, we stopped off in the village of Doolin at the famous O Connors pub, where I had my first pub food.

 The Cliffs of Moher stand over 700 ft, rising majestically out of the Atlantic Ocean. Stretching eight kilometers (approximately five miles) along the western coast, the cliffs were originally the site of a large river delta. They are one of the most visited sites in Ireland due to their incredible beauty and breathtaking views.

 O'Briens Tower was built in 1835 by a descendant of the O'Briens of Thomond, the same family that resided in Lemanagh Castle. The tower is located on the highest point of the cliffs and was intended as a lookout point for visiting tourists.

 Me standing on the edge of a stone platform (which technically is beyond the safety barriers....for obvious reasons! lol)

My room all decorated for Valentines Day, thanks to gma's care package! :)