Music and Dancing

I took a small break from the blog Wednesday because nothing too noteworthy happened. Here is Wednesday in two bullet points:

-In Irish History we learned about Robert Emmet, Irish patriot. I don’t know if I was just in a romantic mood or it was the soft spot in my heart for revolutionaries (except those pesky Russian ones) but I actually paid attention and found it interesting. He basically led what was supposed to be an uprising, but things didn’t work out well and he had to flee Dublin. He came back about a month later so he could be by his love, Sarah Curran, which a mistake because they found him and hanged him. He did give one of those very moving speeches during his trial that sealed his future as Irish hero. I tell you, you can’t beat a moving speech about the freedom of your country; gets me every time.

-I went to a “Valentines Ball” with Brittany and Laura at Sin Nightclub (real classy) that was sponsored by the International Student Society. It was ok. We got our dance on and it was fun.

Thursday was a great day! I woke up and it was beautiful outside; not a cloud in the sky. Like last Thursday I decided to venture into the city centre without much of a plan. I walked through St. Stephens green in the Dublin sunlight then wandered around Grafton Street. There were some human statues there, as well as a string quintet that was playing beautiful music. I got some groceries and then headed back to campus.

The groceries don’t give you bags with you purchases so I bring bags with me but I didn’t have enough room for my cornflakes so I had to carry the box. It sure makes you feel like a local when you are walking down Grafton Street with tourists rolling suitcases and you are carrying a box of cornflakes.

After a nap I headed to the Irish House Party hosted by the Study Abroad office at a hotel downtown. It consisted of a band of Irish musicians talking a little about Irish music and dance and performing for us. I had a great time. Here are some videos from the night.

We hung around with some friends from Boston University during the house party and went to The Wicked Wolf afterwards for karaoke night. Brittany and I, along with Bridget and Amy from BU, sang “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” which I like to think was a big hit. The songs from karaoke, like "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" or "Total Eclipse of the Heart" have become a soundtrack for our study abroad oddessey.

The best part of the night was when Stacy told Brittany and me that Bridget had told her that she and Lauren were Deltasigs at BU. So I went up to Lauren, who had no idea that I knew or that I was one, and said the secret phrase. Her face went puzzled and then she realized what was going on and said the other half back to me. We then both screamed “Brother!” and hugged. I am not making this up. It was exactly like the skits we see at initiation but instead of meeting a brother at an interview I met one at a karaoke bar in Dublin. I will never forget that.

After karaoke we went to Supermacs, which is like an Irish McDonald’s, and got some grub before heading back to UCD. Good night.

Live Irish Music!

me, Stevie, Laura, Jen, Stacy, Brittany before going out

That's right. I finally got to hear some authentic Irish music in Dublin! How's that, you ask? Here's the story:

Wednesday night Stevie, Stacy, Brittany, and I all have "From Colony to Republic: The Making of Modern Ireland" from 6-8, which is just not an ideal time for a class. The class itself has some pretty interesting information, but right now the hardest part is keeping track of all the old Irish kings and pronouncing their names. Here are some examples:

• Diarmait Mac Murchada (Dermot MacMurrough) [pronounced MacMurra]
• Tigernán Ua Ruairc (Tiernan O’Rourke), King of Bréifne [pronounced Brefna]
• Derbforgaill (Dervla), wife of O’Rourke

Fun Fact: Although it is generally thought that names like Fitzgerald and Fitzgilbert are thought to be traditional Irish names, they are actually Anglo-Norman. Fitzpatrick is considered the only true Irish one.

We decided afterwards we would hang out at Laura and my apartment and then go to an international student party at a club called The Button Factory (Anyone remember that song from preschool? "My name is Joe and I work in a button factory..."). Now nightclubs aren't really my thing, but in an effort to meet new people and venture outside my comfort zone I decided to go. We had a lot of fun hanging out in Apartment 18 and then headed on the bus to the Temple Bar area. On our way to The Button Factory, we passed a bar with the sounds of traditional Irish tunes spilling out; it really made me feel like I was in Dublin.

We get to The Button Factory and there is no line outside and the place seems dead. I then suggest we go to have a drink at one of the pubs with the music we passed on the way there. We ended up at The Temple Bar, our new favorite hangout. Three men were playing live Irish music using a guitar, fiddle and accordian-like thing. It was amazing. Just so lively and beautiful and kinda made you want to dance a little jig. Now, of course, I don't have any pictures of it because I thought we were going to a nightclub that I wouldn't want pictures of. I do, however, promise that we had so much fun this won't be the last time we go listen to some Irish music, and I will get pictures and video then. Until then, I think I might just steal Brittany Metz's photos.

Everyone (Stevie, Brittany, Jen, Stacy, Laura, and I) had a great time. We met people (some French guys who were pretty wild, nice British guys, and some Irish people too), drank cider (I did not drink it, just tried some, and in my opinion it tastes like apple juice with yeast in it), laughed a lot, and listened to the traditional music that just put a smile on my face. The highlight for many of the girls was when they played "Galway Girl," which is apparently played in the film PS, I Love You. I need to see that movie now!