Irlande

31 mars 2014

GALWAY

I terminated my Irish trip in Galway.

When I arrived, the sun was already high in the sky.First, I could enjoy the Galway arts festival. This festival has taken place for thirty-five years. It is the most popular in Europe. The festival contains living shows and plastic art.

I heard a conversation between two storekeepers. They were speaking a language that I could not understand. Shortly afterwards, I learnt that they were speaking Gaelic.

I visited the museum of Galway

I remember its ultra-modern architecture. It has a particularly large collection of cultural and historical objects. I learnt about Viking invasions and English-Norman invasions until nowadays.

I visited Nora Barnacle House Museum

It is dedicated to the author James Joyce. It is one of the biggest Irish writers. I could discover his personal objects and his writing works. The visit was nice and playful.

I visited Doughiska Castle

It is an Irish castle of the XVI th century. It is situated in Merlin Woods. It is in ruin. The building was luxurious. Doughiska Castle was built by the Lynch family. The castle look like a tower of English-Norman style

I had a walk in Merlin Woods Park

The forest is located in outskirts of the city of Galway. It is a real small paradise for the local flora and fauna! I saw towering pines Norway hazel trees, beeches, sycamores, and incredible oaks… It has always been well-maintained by men. I learnt that one hundred and sixty-four hectares of trees were planted there in the XXth century. Highly-rated fauna, I bumped into squirrels in trees, some foxes, badgers, and even roe deers. It was a beautiful ballad.

I visited St.Nicolas Church

It is the largest medieval church in Ireland. It was founded in 1320 by the famous Lynch family.

I admired the Cliffs of Moher

It takes your breath away! They are made up of limestone and schist. They rise until two hundred and fourteen meters above the Atlantic Ocean on eight km.

I had a meal at the port

I tasted the Irish specialty, the oysters accompanied by a stout creamy! This accompaniment seems a little bit atypical. But this is the way that we eat oysters in Ireland.

Finally, my exploration was terminated in beauty! I was fascinated by vertiginous cliffs. And I liked St.Nicolas Church a lot.

Unknown à5h lundi, mars 31, 2014 Aucun commentaire: Read More

30 mars 2014

Cultural

TRIM

My adventure went on in Trim.

When I arrived it was raining. It is a small town... yet it feels like it is a big cosmopolitan town. It is situated in the County of Meath.

I visited the biggest castle, Trim castle

It is the most beautiful castle I have ever seen in my life. I visited the three floors of the fortress .I saw the different rooms. Its history was turbulent. The landscape is impressive and overlooks the river Boyne. The view was breathtaking! I learnt that a movie was made in Trim castle.

I visited the town hall

This is one of the places where great bands like U2, or Thin Lizzy played.

I explored the Yellow Steeple

It was built in the fourteenth century. We owe it the nickname of Yellow Steeple, because it takes a bright color at sunrise.

I explored St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland

This church is the oldest Anglican Church in Ireland.

“Boyne River Walk”

I took the “Boyne River Walk” itinerary, a short hiking along the Boyne River, which led me to Newton Abbey. The walk was very pleasant. I discovered one of the most beautiful abbeys of Meath!

I saw the ramparts. This is the fortification wall of the city. Today, it is in ruin. It marks the border of the city.

In conclusion, I have adored Trim castle. The history of the city of Trim was really interesting. But, the weather was not good.

Unknown à5h dimanche, mars 30, 2014 Aucun commentaire: Read More

Cultural

DUBLIN

My trip began in Dublin.

I visited the biggest city of Ireland. Dublin is the capital-city of Ireland. It has one million inhabitants. It is just enormous!

I could visit St. Patrick Cathedral. I learnt that it was the largest Irish church! It’s a Gothic church.

In Dublin I visited four must see museums:

Trinity College

The library was just magnificent.

Guinness Storehouse

I discovered the fabrication method of the brown beer.

National Gallery

I visited this museum which has the most beautiful collection of European quality art.

Kilmainham Gaol

I learnt history of this old prison. By visiting it I learnt the painful past of Ireland.

Unfortunately, I could not visit the castle of Dublin. It seems that it is in good state of conservation. According to my father, it was marked by the imprint of the Anglo-Irish conflict. For it is in this place that the British power sat in Dublin.

In conclusion, I would like to go back there soon. I liked it a lot because there are many cultural sites. But, the city was too big. So it was a little frustrating because I could not visit every parts I wanted.