I'm really trying to avoid posting things weeks after I've done them, so this time, I'm getting starting right away. One thing I haven't mentioned yet is the Ballyhoura Forest, about 45 minutes away from Limerick. It's a hilly area with some great trails through the woods and you'll be rewarded with an amazing view once you reach the top, or even just halfway up. I didn't have my camera with me; it was my first mountain biking experience and I was afraid to bring anything fragile and expensive, but that's another spot I would recommend visiting if you get the chance. I saw my first rugby game in Thomond Stadium this week, which is a great substitute for football. I also hailed my first taxi, after the bus that w
as supposed to bring us back to the university failed to show up.... Back to this weekend, yesterday I went on a day tour organized by the UL. We stopped first at Bunratty Castle, but that was mainly a quick picture opportunity. Then we drove to the Cliffs of Moher (Mow-hair), which are also the Cliffs of Insanity for fans of the Princess Bride. It was amazing!!! We were only able to see a little bit of everything there, and I definitely want to go see the rest. They drop 214 meters into the ocean, so it's a very awe-inspiring sight. There's also a Visitor Center built into the hill with a exhibit about the environment along the clif
fs, and O'Brian's Tower, built in 1835 by a landlord to entertain his guests. You can pay 2 euro to climb to the top; I just walked on the trail. There's also a sign halfway along warning visitors to not go past it, naturally it's ignored by everyone. Then we visited the Burren, also along the coast. Where we were, it was mostly rock, with a few grasses and other plants growing where they could. Picturesque, but it seems like hiking country to me--you aren't too tempted to spend a lot of time in the same spot. After the Burren, we went to the Ailwee Caves, discovered in 1940 by a farmer who was following his dog that had chased a rabbit down into the caves. They think it was used by bears to hibernate ba
ck in the day; they've found a few bear bones and a pawprint. It's really pretty, too; it's limestone and there are a few underground streams and a waterfall, which I al
ways enjoy seeing. The last stop we made was a quick one to see the Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, which was a must-see for me. It was supposedly built before Stonehenge in England; 22-28 people were found buried underneath it. I had originally thought we wouldn't have enough time at each place, but I think I saw enough to know what places were worth more than one visit (Cliffs of Moher!).
as supposed to bring us back to the university failed to show up.... Back to this weekend, yesterday I went on a day tour organized by the UL. We stopped first at Bunratty Castle, but that was mainly a quick picture opportunity. Then we drove to the Cliffs of Moher (Mow-hair), which are also the Cliffs of Insanity for fans of the Princess Bride. It was amazing!!! We were only able to see a little bit of everything there, and I definitely want to go see the rest. They drop 214 meters into the ocean, so it's a very awe-inspiring sight. There's also a Visitor Center built into the hill with a exhibit about the environment along the clif
fs, and O'Brian's Tower, built in 1835 by a landlord to entertain his guests. You can pay 2 euro to climb to the top; I just walked on the trail. There's also a sign halfway along warning visitors to not go past it, naturally it's ignored by everyone. Then we visited the Burren, also along the coast. Where we were, it was mostly rock, with a few grasses and other plants growing where they could. Picturesque, but it seems like hiking country to me--you aren't too tempted to spend a lot of time in the same spot. After the Burren, we went to the Ailwee Caves, discovered in 1940 by a farmer who was following his dog that had chased a rabbit down into the caves. They think it was used by bears to hibernate ba
ck in the day; they've found a few bear bones and a pawprint. It's really pretty, too; it's limestone and there are a few underground streams and a waterfall, which I al
ways enjoy seeing. The last stop we made was a quick one to see the Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, which was a must-see for me. It was supposedly built before Stonehenge in England; 22-28 people were found buried underneath it. I had originally thought we wouldn't have enough time at each place, but I think I saw enough to know what places were worth more than one visit (Cliffs of Moher!). 
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