Friday there was no school because of St. Patrick's day so, we took a walk down to Lettergesh beach. It was about a three mile walk both ways but well worth it because of the beautiful views. After that we played soccer in the sunshine with the students! Spring is coming very quickly here and with it baby cows and hundreds of lambs. This week has been about 55 and for the most part sunny however, we don't expect this wonderful break to last for too long. Saturday we got up early to climb the Diamond, a mountain in the Connemara National park, it was about a three mile walk to Letterfrack. Once we were in 
Letterfrack we began the two and a half miles up the side of the mountain. On either side of the trail was bog and ribbons of water were rushing down to the ocean from the top of the mountain. Once we reached the top there were panoramic views of the twelve bends. The twelve bends are twelve mountains that encircle the area in which we live. On the left is a picture of the view on top of the Diamond.
Letterfrack we began the two and a half miles up the side of the mountain. On either side of the trail was bog and ribbons of water were rushing down to the ocean from the top of the mountain. Once we reached the top there were panoramic views of the twelve bends. The twelve bends are twelve mountains that encircle the area in which we live. On the left is a picture of the view on top of the Diamond.Monday morning the bus picked us up to go on a trip to see Bunratty Castle and a few other important places. Our first stop was Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise was founded in 548 by St. Chiaran. He chose to build his monastery on the crossroads of the Shannon river and a gravel 
ridge. Both were used as a main form of transport during that time period. This is one of the main factors that helped Clonmacnoise become a huge center for learning and the arts. Although religion was the main focus the monastery looked more like a town because of the high population. Throughout its history Clonmacnoise was plundered by Vikings and Normans. In the 13th centenary it began to decline before it was attacked and finally destroyed by the English in 1552. After that we got back on the road and headed off to our B and B. Monday night we set off for a medieval feast at Bunratty Castle. Bunratty was built in 1425. It was used by the O'Brian family then the High Kings of Munster and later Earls of Thomond. The next morning we walked around the reconstructed Victorian era Irish village. Tuesday we took a walking tour of Galway. Galway is the largest city in our area. The original city walls are still standing and have been incorporated into the Galway mall. On the way home we visited Coole Park. Coole Park was owned by Lady Gregory and was a favorite place of W. B. Yeates. There he wrote some of his most famous poems including "The Wild Swans at Coole Park". The last stanza of the poem goes as follows.
ridge. Both were used as a main form of transport during that time period. This is one of the main factors that helped Clonmacnoise become a huge center for learning and the arts. Although religion was the main focus the monastery looked more like a town because of the high population. Throughout its history Clonmacnoise was plundered by Vikings and Normans. In the 13th centenary it began to decline before it was attacked and finally destroyed by the English in 1552. After that we got back on the road and headed off to our B and B. Monday night we set off for a medieval feast at Bunratty Castle. Bunratty was built in 1425. It was used by the O'Brian family then the High Kings of Munster and later Earls of Thomond. The next morning we walked around the reconstructed Victorian era Irish village. Tuesday we took a walking tour of Galway. Galway is the largest city in our area. The original city walls are still standing and have been incorporated into the Galway mall. On the way home we visited Coole Park. Coole Park was owned by Lady Gregory and was a favorite place of W. B. Yeates. There he wrote some of his most famous poems including "The Wild Swans at Coole Park". The last stanza of the poem goes as follows.But now they drift on the still water
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake's edge or pool
Delight mens' eyes, when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?
Wednesday it was back to school for both Liam and I. This week a new kid came to our school so I am no longer referred to as the new kid which has been a refreshing change. I still don't have my own schedule but otherwise school is going very well. I would like to make note of a major cultural difference between Irish school and school in the U.S. In Ireland the teachers demand a higher level of respect and are much more strict than at home. We only address our teachers as Miss or Sir and never take a drink from our water bottles speak or stand up unless asked to by our teacher. However in turn the kids give the teachers much less respect than at home. In my French class our teacher spends more time yelling at kids for squeaking their shoes, leaning back in their chairs, talking, putting their head down etc. than teaching. The kids seem to think that the louder she yells the better so by the end of the hour three kids almost always end up in the hall. The kids don't seem to fear authority at all. Detention is no big deal and you often find kids sneaking out of their lunch detention just to be dragged back again for next break. Despite the difficulties of school here I am starting to dread my last day here.
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