We Sang Places!

So we just got done touring the Rock of Cashel which was the site of, first, the ruling clans of Munster (first the Mac Carthaigh's, then the O'Brian's), and then the Church. Again, this tour was an example of how far back the history of Irish integration and power struggle goes as the site was first inhabited in the 4th century and exchanged hands multiple times.

As I've mentioned, I'm with the MSSU Chamber Singers on a tour of Ireland. Well, we got to sing in spaces where choirs from the 12th century to c. 1750, when the Church left the site, have been singing. The first stop on our tour was in a building where the choir members, which were eight men from from the Church or the town, were housed and where they rehearsed.

We got to sing MLK there. Another transcendent experience like in Ailwee Cave earlier on the trip. Then we went to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Though it was in ruins, it was one of the most awe-inspiring spaces I have ever seen, and these pictures don't do it justice.

After this we went into Cormac's Chapel which is the only example of period Romanesque architecture in Ireland. This Chapel was constructed in celebration of the Mac Carthaigh clan regaining control of the Rock. The Chapel is actually covered in scaffolding in order to protect the sandstone roof which was allowing water damage on the inside of the Chapel. Despite the years of damage, there were still remnants of Roman frescoes where the altar stood. In this Chapel we got to sing one of my favorite pieces from our concert, Give Me Jesus. I could not help but smile the whole time we were singing. It might not have been a space designed with acoustics in mind, but it sounded beautiful. The space resonated like none other that I've been in, and it is something that I won't soon forget.

Well, now we're back on the bus en route to Dublin for the last stretch of our tour. I still can't believe how much has happened, how much joy we have brought, and how much I will miss it.

I Kissed the Blarney Stone! and Other Adventures

For starters. I have kissed the Blarney Stone. Let me set the scene. The wind was blowing quite profusely while the steady rain blew in from the open windows as I climbed the spiral staircase. Along the way, rooms belonging to the 15th century provided diversion from the real goal of this sojourn. At the top of the castle, the true force of the wind was no longer a memory as it pelted me with rain. Around the parapet I walked as the line to the stone shrank before me. The cold, wet, and perilous trek up the tight, winding, spiral staircase was met by this Spiderman-esque make-out with a rock. Totally worth it! The whole day was rainy, windy, and chilly, but I didn't let that stop me from exploring. I had no idea of the amount of grounds and gardens that Blarney Castle contained. There were literally acres upon acres of gardens and pathways that lead to more and more exciting things. One of my favorites was the Poison Garden.

It had all manner of plants that would kill you. Which is completely fascinating! But this was really only the beginning of the different areas on the grounds. Perhaps the other most thrilling portion of this hike was through the Rock Close. Here were the Wishing Steps where the Blarney Witch would grant a wish to anyone who walked down and up these steps with their eyes closed. I did have to make two tries of it, but in the end, I succeeded! As well as hitting my head on the opening. (Side note: I have banged my head on, now, six different occasions so far; 4 on the bus, 1 on the wishing steps, and 1 in the Badger's Cave under Blarney Castle. I also fell while taking a slippery path in the Gardens. All good though!) There were so many amazing things I got to see, and this is just a small sampling. When I get some more time, I'll flesh this out with some more pictures, but for now, I have more adventuring to do! 

International Man of Mystery

Ok. Do you know how excited I am right now? So excited! I got to go inside the Cork Opera House!

Let me start at the beginning of yesterday. We departed from Killarney, and arrived in Cork in the south portion of Ireland. A tour guide joined our bus, and she told all about the history of Cork and it's port, Cobh, while we drove and walked through it. We took time to visit the grounds of University College of Cork which was built during the Potato Famine at the request of Queen Victoria. Then we got back on the bus (for the 9000th time) and made our way to Cobh which was the last stop of the Titanic before its fateful voyage. There we got to explore the town briefly, and we found a Bagpipe Parade/Contest. That was pretty amazing. I didn't realize that bagpiping was popular in Ireland because I always associated it with Scotland, but the competition included many local groups from Cork County as well as many more. After this excursion, we returned to Cork and checked into the Imperial Hotel which our tour guide glibly slipped happened to be where Franz Liszt stayed and performed when he came to Cork. In the 19th century. Minor heart attack #1.

After I got settled, I went into the city with some friends to basically explore. Along with beautifully historic churches and clocktowers, we eventually made it around to the Cork Opera House. This is where the fun begins. While driving around the city a few hours before, I discovered that Cork had an opera. Never knew that before. So when we were walking, I begged my friends to come in with me which they politely acquiesced. Once we walked in, we promptly walked up the stairs and started the adventure. I wanted to see the inside of the theater, but there was a dance rehearsal for a local dance school. So I stuck my phone in and took some pictures of the first mezzanine. The space surprised me by how small it was. But this makes sense because if the space was too big, it would be difficult to hear everything. The smaller space contributes to a better experience for both the audience and the performers. This is where I got to feel like a spy because we spied on the rehearsal for a bit. Then I ran around the upper level taking pictures like a madman. Exhilarating!

 Our tour guide said something today on our way to the Blarney Castle that really spoke to me: "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." I see this in the attitude of most of the people that I have met here. They have this can-do spirit that makes them all positive people who I think have the ability to conquer whatever they put their minds to conquering which is very inspiring for me.

I can't believe that this whole experience is over on Thursday!