Amanda McIntosh



January 20, 2010

Today was wonderful. Galway is probably the greatest city I have ever been to. There is so much culture in the city that I wish I were staying here all week. I am going to be sad when we leave. Who knows when I will b e back here again. If they make this trip happen again in the future, I certainly suggest a longer stay in Galway. Dublin will rip you off and there are too many tourist attractions and American culture. I sometimes don’t feel like I am overseas.
The best part of the day was our visit to the Quays Pub. The funny part about it was that we met more Americans than we did Irish. The live band opened their set with “Proud Mary: and Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” But we did meet Darragh Logan, a local around my age the night before who spent the whole night with us dancing and singing. He taught me a lot about the Irish language and culture.

Amanda McIntosh
January 21, 2010
Like I had predicted, probably the most depressing day of this trip. We left Galway. It was so pretty here. I almost did not want to get back on the bus. Not much to report today. A much-needed day of rest, that is for sure. Free day tomorrow in Dublin!

Amanda McIntosh
January 22, 2010
As much as I hate whiskey and refuse to drink it ever again, I went against my word and went to the Jameson Distillery, from when it first opened, but now it is just a museum. We had a great tour guide who knew everything about Indiana! Very impressive. When our tour was over we had a whiskey taste test, comparing Jack Daniels and Scotch to Jameson. Jameson won for me, though I only took a tiny sip. Overall, it was a fun experience.

Amanda McIntosh
January 22, 2010 continued
Later on in the night we visited the Abbey Theatre and saw McPherson’s The Seafarer. One of the greatest plays I have seen. With some theater background up my sleeve, this was another highlight for me on this trip. Definitely a show Franklin College should consider. The best part: I probably had the BEST seat in the house! I was in heaven!
Happy Birthday, Robin Connelly!

Amanda McIntosh
January 23, 2010
Today was another day in the countryside. YES!  And it reminded me of the movie “Babe” so much. All the green grass and sheep wandering around—there was bound to be a pig running around somewhere!
We visited Monasterboise, an ancient tomb. I love learning about astronomy, so this visit was exciting for me. When we went into the tomb we got to learn how the sun illuminates and heats up the inside on summer and winter solstice. Our guide turned off all the lights and showed us what it really looked like in primitive times. Breathtaking, I’ll tell ya!
I found an amazing notebook, one that I have never seen before, very mystical, with a tree representing the father of mankind. It was carved into the cover and back with leather string binding it together. Dedaimia and I both bought one. The coolest souvenir I bought on this trip, that is for sure.
Happy 21st Birthday, Rachel Friedman.

Amanda McIntosh
January 24, 2010
Another day in the country. Thank you, Tour Guide Robbie.
The valley and hillside were like scenes from “The Sound of Music.” You could almost touch the clouds it seemed like! The houses out here were just as breathtaking as the scenery. First purchase after I win the lottery is a pretty cottage out here.

Amanda McIntosh
January 25, 2010
Today was sad. We visited Kilmainham Gaol where many of the Easter Rising fighters were jailed and executed. We even saw the area where James Connelly was executed; a black cross stands in that main area. Really tears at your heart to know that it was all because they wanted to be free from Britain.
Later on, we visited a castle that dated back to the 1100s! Obviously it had been restored but still an incredible site to see.
Two more days until home!

Amanda McIntosh
January 26, 2010
A free day! Yes.
Kate, Lex and I had a day of walking. Kate and I were on a mission: to find boots and fish and chips.
Mission = success!
And with that, I am broke. Ha-Ha.
A night of packing and essay writing for me. A long day ahead of me tomorrow.

Amanda McIntosh
January 27, 2010
I am a great navigator. I do not know how I got that skill, but once I have been somewhere once, I can get myself back home. So traveling around Dublin and Galway was an adventure for me. I love being able to go out on my own because I am a firm believer that a tour is a simple look at the outside cover of a book and it is up to you to find what it really is all about.
By guiding my own way through Galway I experienced a thrill of a lifetime: 20 musicians playing traditional music in a room no bigger than the size of a classroom in Old Main (at Franklin College). I could hear music coming from a pub I walked in and could hear feet stamping above me. I walked upstairs and it was as if I had found a room full of gold.
You don’t get an experience like that on a tour bus, that’s for sure.



Essay: Amanda McIntosh

26/1/10 "I'm learning," says Amanda.

Nobody can truly learn about the Irish and their character until they have walked in their footsteps through the cobblestone pathways of Dublin and Galway.

Ireland has a rich history that cannot be understood through textbooks or movies. One must visit the landmarks and the people whose history is so important to them to get at the real emotion behind it.

I met a young man by the name of Niell who told me how happy he was to be living in the Irish Free State. To him, that freedom meant a lot to his family. His ancestors were hard working slaves for the British, and his grandfather worked at a printing shop during the Easter Rising. When Ireland finally won its independence he said his grandfather was overfilled with joy. Niell's family moved to Northern Ireland not long ago. He said he will refuse to move, for his freedom, and out of respect for his great-grandfather.

I think Americans can certainly relate to this emotion, especially African-Americans. It wasn't long ago when African Americans won their freedom and respect. When we look at their past, we see how hard-working they were. They were put through some of the toughest situations and dealt with slavery and segregation, a deathly segregation. Because of their hard times, it pushed them even more to fight for their freedom. With their hard work and strong passion for life, there was no way they could have lost the battle, not with that solid history.

I think a lot of that correlates with how the Irish character was able to withstand British control for so long, making it much harder for British armies to end the battles. The Irish had been hard-working slaves, though they had been in that country for many centuries and had established wealth, performing arts, literature, and amazing architecture.

When all of them finally came together, they were almost too large of  number to withstand. In their proclamation, it speaks to both "Irish men and Irish women."  Even women were involved with the fight for freedom. With women such as Countess Markievicz, British troops did not know how to respond to such matters.

With religion being such a prominent characteristic of the Irish people, many were fighting for their brothers and sisters in Christ. When one brother or sister died, it was as if they all stood up for them and continued the battle for them. This, I am sure, was a struggle for the British, for everyone knows the number of religious affiliations in Ireland.

Now that I have visited [Ireland] and studied Irish history, I can truly relate to their struggles, and more importantly, I have a much deeper  appreciation for the Irish. [Stereotypes] about drinking, leprechauns, and crzy mad men don't posses me. My eyes have truly opened after this trip. It truly helped me to realize that although the customs may be different, the language hard to understand, and the country 3,000 miles away from [New York], you can still find something in common. I hope that every country in the world can find that commonality--to end all wars.