Hello!
I am currently studying abroad in London under LC’s England: Fine Arts program, and I’m so excited to be able to share with all of you the wonderful adventures that I get up to while abroad. Check out some of my other blogs to learn more about the program, the logistics of going abroad, and life as a study abroad student!
This week is our Spring Break, or half-term as they say over here, and some friends and I decided to travel to Ireland! We spent five days on the Emerald Isle, getting away from the hustle and bustle of London.
It's ridiculous to imagine that I am halfway through my semester here, the time has truly flown by.
Traveling abroad from the UK has been made a little more difficult since Brexit, but thankfully due to visa standards throughout Europe, it is still easy to get around with an American passport. We had no problems crossing the border into Ireland and didn’t have any when we returned to England.
There has long been tension between England and Ireland, with the English colonizers absorbing Ireland and imposing their culture on the local population (something England is rather known for). The Irish War of Independence was fought from 1919 to 1921, because the Irish people voted to form their own government separate from the UK. Ireland was declared a republic in 1922, but Northern Ireland, a segment of Ireland populated by Protestants, remained in control of the UK. This led to a period of violence in the late 20th century known as The Troubles, where Catholics living in Northern Ireland were calling for a united Ireland. The Troubles ended with the Good Friday agreement, which is the base for the current political situation in Northern Ireland. This is a very basic explanation of the long and complex relationship between Ireland and the UK, but the history between the two countries still has a very profound impact on their cultures today.
It's always interesting to examine aspects of British culture from the perspective of an outsider, and this remaining legacy between the British and the Irish is no exception.
Other than contemplating complex geopolitical relationships, I plan to spend my time in Ireland enjoying the beautiful scenery and rich history of the country. There are lots of things to see in Dublin, including St Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, and of course, the Guinness Storehouse.
Outside of Dublin, we got to visit Glendaloch Monastic site in Wicklow Mountains National Park, a monastery dating back to the 6th century when it was founded by St Kevin. Glendalough is known as the valley of two lakes, with the remains of the monastic city scattered throughout the valley.
Wicklow Mountains National park is enormous and beautiful, the hills covered in upland blanket bog and heath, and spanning over 20,000 hectares. It’s one of Ireland’s largest national parks and it was so much fun to explore.
Overall, it was such a lovely trip and a good reminder that a change of pace does wonders for mental health.
