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Our trip to Ireland was one that I’ll never forget. I had the time of my life. This was my second trip to Ireland, but I did not remember much about the first trip I took there. Having this opportunity to return to Ireland helped me remember what Dublin was like and how much I loved it! We had the opportunity to explore the city of Dublin on our own which added a sense of adventure. Our small groups set out to explore as many things as possible around the city. Talking to friends at the end of each night in Dublin, we shared our findings in the city. Other students gave us recommendations of restaurants to eat at, or sights we couldn’t miss! Meeting new people in Ireland was one of the extra perks of the trip. Everyone in the country was helpful and friendly. Our taxi driver gave us great locations to visit and restaurants to try. Another thing I experienced while in Ireland was their passion for sports. While attending the Gaelic Football game at Croke Park, the fans got louder and louder as the game went on and the score got closer and closer. Nearly every person in the stadium was wearing some sort of team gear to show their support. But it’s not just Hurling or Gaelic Football that Irish people are passionate fans of, they are also very passionate about Steeple Chasing. You could see from the way people got so quiet when a race was on TV in a bar or restaurant. Attending a few races in Naas reinforced how passionate they were about their sports. They weren’t just fans, they were fanatics. Some of the other amazing experiences included going on the three days trips to Cork, Galway, and Northern Ireland. I wish we had had more time to spend in each city! In Cork, visiting the Blarney Castle was so fun. And I got to kiss the Blarney Stone! In Galway, the Cliffs of Moher was one of the most breathtaking sights. I could have stayed there all day, just looking at the amazing views. Visiting Northern Ireland was an entirely different culture from being in the Republic. It was amazing to see the peace wall in Belfast and learn the history behind it. Althought it rained, I also really loved going to the Giant’s Causeway. It is a breathtaking formation that blew my mind. My favorite part of the trip was getting the chance to tour the Irish National Stud in Kildare. We learned about their breeding program and how Ireland is working to promote equestrian activities in the country. It was a wonderful tour, but I won’t lie, my favorite part was playing with the foals! This was definitely an experience I will always remember! Alex Belton Cazenovia College ’17 Equine Business Management
