Irish Immigration Process

You may not need a visa for a semester abroad in Ireland, but you will need an immigration card to stay in the country. One of the things I wish I was given more information about was the process of applying for the immigration card.

When you first arrive in Ireland a passport stamping man will ask for your necessary paperwork and leave a green stamp saying you have so in so days to get yourself down to the Garda building (Irish Police Station) and become a temporary immigrant. This time can range from somewhere of 3 weeks, a month or two. I personally, waited until the last day imaginable (which I don't recommend because it makes traveling out of the country a lot easier.)

So first thing is first when it comes to applying to become an immigrant. Get all of your important documents and passport and get yourself to the Garda. Don't know where the Garda building is? It's on Angeleasa Street across from the Court House. 

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One thing I cannot stress enough is the amount of time you will be spending in the Garda building. Dedicate an entire day to this venture. You will wait for hours in an almost non moving line and just when you think you're close to your window, they'll take the longest 2 hour lunch break you could ever imagine.

So make sure to bring your necessary paperwork, passport, and something to keep you entertained. I suggest an iPod, a book, or school work. Then the process won't seem as grueling as it actually is.

Dun Aengus

While on the island of Inis Mor, my friends and I were told by the locals to visit the Dun Aengus Fort. We all agreed we'd have a look so we hiked up the misty hills. On the way to the top I kept stopping to take pictures of the wind as it blew in gusts over the long grass and rocks.

Everything was peaceful, until we reached the fort and I took in the size of it all. The towering stone walls had been built in the Iron Age and formed a semi-circle on the edge of a cliff. A cliff with a 100 meter drop.

I could barely look over the edge of the cliff. It was a very windy day and there were no rails and it was just the three of us standing there on the cliff's edge. I had it in my mind that I would lose my balance and fall off the cliff. My mom had warned me of that the last time I was in Ireland and her words stuck with me. So here I am trying to get close to the edge, but turning and running with fear. I did this more times than I'd like to count.

Luckily, Sam was able to capture what the drop looked like. A drop I couldn't even bear to look at, at first. But sure enough, I wielded the courage to stand closer and pose for pictures. But don't for a second think that I was actually cool this.

Though I may have been freaking most of time we were on that cliff. I did take a second to say to myself, "Wow I'm standing here on this cliff in Ireland, taking a big risk, and loving it." I started to think that the adventures I was having really did mean something and I was glad I got to travel out to the Aran Islands and all throughout Ireland.

Shannon

Inis Mor

After our time spent in Galway, Karyn, Sam, and I hopped a ferry to the largest Aran Island, Inis Mor. The boat ride was a lot calmer than the first one I took to Inisheer and as soon as we got off I could not stop myself from saying "Wow, how beautiful is this?" every couple minutes. We kept walking when we found a bus driver who took us around to see some highlighted sights, so we wouldn't be pelted by the rain, before we reached Dun Aengus.

When the bus driver let us off at the Aran Sweater shop and headed home we all rushed into the store, knowing how cool the Aran Sweaters are. I knew it would be great to bring my family back some sweaters for Christmas-Birthday.

Then we had lunch in this beautiful little shop. I had arán donn (brown bread) with bradán (salmon) on top. Look at that I did learn something in Irish language class--food. Of course I would.

The walk back from Dun Aengus was long, there was rain and an intense fog. But the sky looked so beautiful in all the different colors of light that it wasn't that bad. Luckily, a police officer picked us up and drove us back to town in time to catch the ferry.

Innis Mor was one of my favorite places in Ireland. The trip was peaceful and eye opening and I was so glad I went. Stay tuned for the rest of the Inis Mor day trip to Dun Aengus.

Shannon

Galway

In December fellow Washington College student Sam from A Diary of Travel came to visit me in Ireland. The first thing we did was catch up as we walked around Cork at night. I showed her St. Finbarrs, the Cork Christmas Market, and all the Christmas lights. The next day we headed out for a long bus ride to Galway.

We explored the beautiful streets of Galway and all the little shops in between including Claddagh Gold. Galway is the birthplace of the Claddagh ring and Claddagh Gold had a little museum of the rings orgins in the back. I got my ring in Kilkenny four years now and have been wearing it every day since.

The guy at the hostel told us to run down to the water in time to see the sunset. When we got therewe saw the Spanish Archways in honor of Sam's abroad experience. I didn't know that Spain had a trading port in Galway back in the day.

We explored the beach, found a boat named Aoife (beautiful in Irish), and got to see the sunset the hostel guy talked up. It was definitely worth it to rush out here in time.

Sam and I then met up with Karyn and posed by Oscar Wilde before we headed over to the Galway Christmas Market. We all picked up some delicious macaroons which I have since declared my favorite "fancy" treat.

Saving the trip to Galway for last was worth it. The town was beautiful and the three of us had a great time before heading to Inishmore. I'll update you all soon with that adventure.

Shannon

Toy Show

One of the traditions I was let in on while abroad was the Toy Show. The Christmas Special of The Late Late Show. I'd never heard of it, but it somehow was the Irish equivalent of the Superbowl. I mean that in the amount of viewers that gather around their tv sets with their friends and watch as a man-child, Tubridy, hosts a show where kids mess around with toys and things get crazy. The show is filled musical acts and Tubridy's wierd antics, needless to say a drinking game was involved in the watching of the show. It was a killer game.

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Some of the highlights include the Little hustlers, a mixture of old school and new school dance, as a group of kids dance to hip hop and step dancing. As well as a 5-year old boy on a tractor speaking "an Gaeilge" before riding off stage.

Watching the Toy Show was quite the experience. I'll have to tune in next year to see what happens because I've already decided to make it a tradition.

Shannon

Giants Causeway

Right after crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the tour headed over to Giants Causeway to see the natural and rather interesting rock formations by the sea. These formations are actually basalt columns that were formed by a volcanic eruption. According to legend the site is the remnants of a bridge built by Fionn Mac Cumhaill (or Finn McCool) as a causeway over to Scotland. The two giants fought amongst one another and Fionn tricked the other giant into smashing the bridge so that the two would not fight again. The landmark is a World Heritage Spot of UNESCO and was just a blast to climb on.

I've never seen a rock formation quite like this and it was enjoyable to take in the natural rocky landscape.

Shannon

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

I wouldn't say I have a fear of heights, but when I'm crossing a rope bridge hanging 98 feet drop above the atlantic ocean I'm going to be a little scared. The moment I heard about the bridge, I knew I had to cross it even if it was terrifying. When I stepped on the bridge I kept thinking of all the different ways I could fall off or be blown over, but I inched forward and made it across. Looking back, I'm not sure how I did it or even managed to get back.

Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede bridge is definitely something I can now check off my list of fears I've overcome.

Shannon

Northern Ireland

Now that I'm back to my regular Maryland college life, I've been reflecting on my trips abroad. I experienced so much, but forgot to share most of it. I did a lot of traveling with Student Tours Ireland. First to the Ring of Kerry in October and then again at the end of November to Northern Ireland. Basically, the trips were fantastic because they were run by just a few guys from the college. They rented a bus and booked us hostels at a great price. If you wind up studying abroad at all find something like this to travel with.

The bus driver on the Northern Ireland trip acted as a tour guide as we drove around. As soon as we crossed the border the "tension" in Northern Ireland could not be ignored. It's generally been thought of as a Catholic vs. Protestant battle, but it's mainly about borders and territory. It just so happens that religion lined up with border lines.

Belfast is known for building the Titanic and these two giant yellow cranes used to hold the ship. They are named Sampson and Goliath, and were compared by the boat tour guy as monuments similar to the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I'm not sure if I agree or if I would have been proud to have built such an infamous ship. But then again I was reminded that they built a ship, it was the captain that sunk it when he hit the iceberg full speed.

There was also the Titanic Studios set in the same location where the Titanic was built. For now some of the Game of Thrones scenes of Northern Ireland are filmed here. That's pretty neat.

While up in Northern Ireland I got to visit Carrick-a-rede bridge as well as Giant's Causeway. Those adventures are soon to follow so stay tuned.

Shannon