What is interesting as a student, is that we can have access to stay nice to discover the country at reasonable prices. Indeed, Cork University offers scholarships to the International Society to organize cheap trips for students. So, as was the case in Killarney, we registered for this trip in March to three days, this time, we took the side of the small town of Galway, on the edge of Connemara.
The Cliffs of Moher
First leg of our journey, Moher Cliffs. Surely one of the most visited places in Ireland, had to entirely to this chain of cliffs against which the raging sea is a joy to throw. The tourism site is at will, he must still have eight euros to park his car on the parking lot. Time will be favorable, the view is still beautiful, and it likes to see the waves crashing against the cliffs slowly. This is Ireland, for my part I like this wild Irish crumbling and becoming changing over the years, even if multiple changes in climate. A breath of fresh air to this horizon at the pace of change, and here we enjoy our party snacks to the cafeteria of the museum. As everything is overpriced in this country, everyone expected something to fill the belly. Even if time is short, the ride was pleasant and the memory of this landscape remains intact in our heads.
Country roads take us then the Irish side of the Burren (Gaelic An Bhoireann or "stone country"). This plateau grisâtes colors, mixing the green pastures and gray sedimentary rock, covers an area of 300 sq. km. The site has many archaeological sites including many megalithic sites, like the dolmen Poulnabrone Aillwee or cave, towards which we headed. The landscape offers beautiful color contrast between the blue sea and undulating hills of the Burren silver. So we made a visit to the cave Aillwee, a site offering circular tower to the passage which we can discover all sorts of stalagmites, stalactites, waterfalls or relics of bears. The cave, in view of its side vacuum conditions, was a perfect place to hibernate.
After two visits stealth but interesting, we took the road towards Galway. To get more than an hour's drive before arriving in Galway. That said, we follow the tranquil beaches, and the Irish countryside offers lovely green faces closed by small stone walls. Arrival in Galway, we have half an hour to go shopping in the local Lidl. Everyone insists that we will eat during the weekend, in the end it will be pasta carbonara on Friday night and the duo potatoes / peas that form the menu on Saturday. The provision of food and drink do, the hardest part was to fit everything in the bus route. Everyone does their accounts before heading back cottages. And this was after half an hour we had the good surprise to get the side of our small cottages ideally placed on the beach Having arrived before our respective quarters, the view at night could leave us appreciate the beautiful landscape around us.
After neighborhood in our rooms, the group had formed in the bus, everyone takes the opportunity to get some rest before the big night in the cottage of the organizers. For my part, a small musical moment in the show has imposed itself. The cottages are decorated in a charming and warm side that does not leave us indifferent. The only problem was to pay two euros for one hour of electricity and heating in the house. But with the clever mind, Anthony and Luke thought to make candles we avoid the same time to use the lights of the show.
And this was after a meal at how delicious that we went to the cottage Vilmal to celebrate our arrival at the cottages. The evening was quite long and the return to the cottage was dynamic, but I'll spare you the details to come in on Saturday and visit our beautiful Aran Islands.
Depart early morning at around ten hours with a few stragglers still missing the call. But this morning, the timing has to be respected as the boat leaves at ten and a half hours, and there is no further from the day except for the return ... Boarded the small launch, each more or less takes his ease on the benches. The crossing was not a cakewalk for many of us, the star with the move easy. For some, this was the first of which surprise to discover a previously unknown sea sickness there. For my part, I enjoy with others to discover the sea horizon and Galway Bay in a roaring sun. Waves will give heart to joy and sends us a few waltzes destabilizing. The arrival on the Aran Islands is calmer and most of the group rediscovered the joy of being both grounded. Yesterday evening evening was not that happy and that it is felt that on the boat. We are welcome in the port by drivers of minibuses Irish will guide us throughout the day. We randomly assigned buses. With luck, we came across an Irish age sturdy, named Tom. This Irish born and bred, knew the island as the tip of his nose and was able to discover with us a look fun. Questioning us on our studies, our country, the trip was without silence. Initially we have traveled the back roads along the south coast of the island overlooking the small land partitioned by walls rock, green grass growing in abundance in these regions. We make a first stop on the outskirts of an old house left to the neglect of which there remains a section of wall. It also decides to descend on the place of pebbles trying to see the seals in the sea Alas for us, it will be a postponement, the seals have taken fright at the sudden arrival of the group.
The rest of our journey was to me the most amazing with a side of Ireland never seen before. The driver left us at the edge of a small hamlet of cottages Irish colorful. It marks a break in a small coffee shop Customer consists mostly of hikers came to eat at midday. The place is refreshing and offers a charm that brings unusual warmth and comfort.
In our coffee output, Ireland has discharged one of its heavy showers which she alone has the secret. We struggled against the wind, and pause to avoid finishing soaking wet. The sun was resuming his duties, we began the climb the trail to reach the site of an old fort, located right on the edge of cliffs. The view is simply stunning. Constant dizzy, I could not succumb to the urge take a brief look on emptiness. The site is not protected, everyone is happy to let lie along the cliffs and enjoy the breathtaking view (70 m high). Fear of heights that left me the choice to retire. Despite the failed attempt to get there, my desire is not sated. I refer to those who have experienced, they bring me their impressions giving me dizzy with words. The moment is not to mention a shared pleasure.
Trail With my friends, we took some photographs well outlined. The amazement is the same as that seized a look at the Pier and on this raging sea. At every glance launched, we take pleasure in the fly. It is clear that at this moment my love for the Irish Sea continues to multiply. Some landscapes remind me of my beloved Britain but having said that where they have been keeping a fingerprint and an identity that leaves no ambiguity. The weather keeps changing from one moment to another, from a sky lit up a rainy dark desire. Bearing in mind the image and sound of these unexpected cliffs, everyone leaves with a feeling of pleasure glorified.
The day is drawing to close, last walks around the island with scenery unsurpassed leaving us each marble path taken. Visually, this island is a treasure island, full of places of natural beauty that leaves delight. Return to port was brief but appreciated. Fatigue in the legs, it arises in a pub beside the dock to see the match between England and Scotland. We appreciate the small fireplace in the middle of the pub. At five o'clock, it's time to look back at the cottages. Sailing on the waves, the trip is faster than the go. The sun pierced through the obscuring cloud mass gives us a breathtaking panorama on the pier. Glances speak volumes about the fatigue accumulated over the day. Arriving at the cottage, it will shower and rest before starting a new night which ends at a certain hour of the morning. Tomorrow appointment with Galway ...
Fort honored to know guest at one of my friends Rennes in the den of the Irish capital, so I left to go on pilgrimage eventful celebrate Saint Patrick. Parties at the right time and in good spirits, we arrived after 4 ½ hours of arduous road to the bus station in Dublin where Fred was waiting for us. The weather was on red alert when we arrived with our bus output lead rain accompanied by a cold winter reminding us of the harshness of the Irish weather. 
If arriving early, Fred takes us to a very famous pubs Capital, the Celts . It hides its face in view of the end of the rugby match between our dear French Team at the Welsh onslaught. A bit of traditional music for us healthier minds, then it's time to go home to Dublin for our guests. This was my first opportunity to take the Luas , or if you prefer the Tram in Dublin, established in 2004. Dublin does not have underground, making it the fastest way to get around the city. Some projects also extension lines are in talks. After visiting places of our stay, we started to sing and dance until no time. 
After waking up late at around 13 o'clock direction to the National Museum in Dublin. Arriving at the opening of the museum, there is no crowd in the corridors. It takes time to appreciate the reconstruction of a Viking ship displayed in the space outside the museum. Name Sea Stallion, it embodies the largest replica Viking ship in the world and will join the banks of Denmark in the month of August. This vessel represents an important part of Irish history, the Vikings will have lived largely in the 11th century. At the sight of this building, we imagine inside sailing against winds and tides, and braving the ferocity of the North Sea over the top and always in search of adventure. After our cultural journey takes us into a section dedicated to the historic uprising of 1916, the Easter Rising, an important step in the construction and the country's independence. Names embedded in the minds of Tom Clarke to James Connolly, who managed to take advantage of British imperialism which raged for years in the country. The museum also identifies countless artifacts. A section is also fully committed to this collection of true value. 
After furtive visit to the museum, time is on our side. And thus we started to stretch our legs on the side of Phoenix Park and its imposing obelisk, the Wellington monument in memory of Arthur Wellesley Wellington, British soldier who defeated Napoleon in particular at the Battle of Waterloo. The monument is an impressive strength and rises to 62 meters high. 
After this very nice little walk in West Dublin, we are headed for Temple Bar, the cultural and symbolic heart of the capital. The area is full pubs and shops of all kinds of music. It passes the famous Temple Bar pub where all the magic Dublin we echoes in the ears. Every day there were successive groups of Irish music in this den historic city. The hunger began to gnaw our belly, towards the fast-food restaurant nearest s'enkiloser story of a little more. The sun begins to decline and it is time for us to go a little nap before leaving the pub tonight. 
When we woke up, the direction Celts, with Keith, co-op crazy Fred, who offers Guinness Guinness to celebrate St. Patrick. The generosity and fervor Irish are much felt in this little neighborhood pub. A band up the classic Irish charts, mixing both traditional and contemporary music. The festival is in full swing under the national flags, and it is difficult to access in the bar so there world. At one point in a moment of sudden excitement, it throbs with excitement and we start dancing caterpillar in the pub on a background of traditional music. 
The announcement of the closure pushes us to move towards Temple Bar. The streets are besieged by the excited crowd who feasted as befits the occasion. We will end the evening in a pub in the heart of Temple Bar and will serve a tray of cocktails based rock guitar amplifier with overdrive and sharp rhythms. Closure requires two hours, it's time to go. It branches off to the south, just to taste the best kebab in the city, then 30 minutes waiting in the queue of taxis. The day was long, sleep is heavy, I fall like a feather on the mattress, a good amount of Guinness we meet the head. Tomorrow is a feast ... 
The lift is difficult, almost impossible. But taking our courage in both hands, it's time to go see the parade. The Italian co-landlord Fred guides us to the center. It starts see a green and orange cloud that fills the streets Dublin. Young and old participate in this celebration. It is nice to see all the generations together, all this world filled with joy and general excitement before the big parade. The hardest thing is for us to sneak in the middle of the crowd in order to fully appreciate the show. The security arrangements in place, it is time to make way for the parade and the sounds of brass bands from all over Ireland. The show must go on. Children are entranced by the many animations. This day gives us a colorful festival that heralds the arrival of Spring. After an hour passed, the festival nearing completion. It is time for us to return to Cork. The sun accompanies us to our destination. Thank you to Fred and his co-locs to us so kindly received during the weekend that was for us the only opportunity to experience the exhilarating joy of St Patrick in the heart of the capital Dublin. 
