So today was the day I finally arrived in Ireland! I had a 22 hour layover in Philadelphia and almost had to sleep in the airport but I made it. And let me tell you it is beautiful. I’ve really never seen anything like it, which is kind of a problem when my professors are talking to me and all I’m doing is looking up at the buildings around me.   

Today was a monumental day yet unproductive as well. My wonderful professor Dr. Jack Zibluk picked me up from the airport this morning and him and his wife drove me back to the Armagh City Youth Hostel where my group and I will be staying these next 30 days. It is very lovely and right on the cusp of some beautiful Armagh architecture. After attempting to unpack I met my future roommates and a few of us went down to the marketplace to pick up some groceries. It was very interesting trying to decide what to choose because very few things were familiar. I ended up buying mostly brands I know but I will strive to not do that next time. We then came back, I took a much-needed nap and we concluded the evening with a group reading of Shadow of a Gunman by Sean O’Casey. It was very interesting, especially from a person who had no prior knowledge of the play before the reading. 

Tomorrow we begin our travels in Navan Fort and I am very excited to begin this amazing journey! I have never done anything like this before on my own so be ready for some pretty insightful blog posts from here on out! 

Fun fact of the day: In Armagh a stove-top is called a “hob.” Who knew.