Fratzy's Footprints

I wasn't going to. Before we even left for the Blarney grounds, I knew I wasn't going to kiss the stone. However, when I got there, my plans quickly changed, and I found myself in line to hang upside down and kiss the stone. Even though it was not part of the plan, I enjoyed my time at the grounds.  If you are unfamiliar with the blarney stone, it is renowned for its legendary power to give the gift of gab to anyone who kisses it. So, if you would like to gain the ability to gab, you must lay on your back, hang upside down, and bestow a kiss on the rock. Again, I was not planning on doing it since I already have the ability to yap, however when you get there it's hard to say no.  A common theme in my blogs is where I relate my experiences to different poems written by Irish poets. This blog is no different as Heaney wrote a poem called From the Frontier of Writing  that I feel relates to what the blarney stone represents. This poem is about a poet and the sheer importance...

During a day trip to Dingle, a few of us decided to skip the group activity and do a sea safari instead and it was the BEST decision. We got all bundled up in these overalls and jackets and got on this little boat to travel in the water to see sea stacks, islands, and wildlife. Unfortunately for us, we didn't see much wildlife on out safari. We saw some different species of birds but no water animals like dolphins or sharks. However, we did see a beach filled with one hundred seals and it was so cute! They were swimming in the shallow parts of the beach, and some came close to the boat but not close enough that they were right on top of us.  It was so cool being out on the water and being able to look up at these giant mountains and see the different carvings and shapes they took on. I have had the opportunity to look down and out on some amazing mountains but there is a different feeling associated with being underneath them and looking up. It really puts things into perspective s...

The Ring of Kerry is just as stunning as people have described. I went on the shorter tour but that didn't prevent me from seeing some of the most gorgeous mountain landscape I've ever seen. Watching the world rise and fall while on the bus was so interesting. Where I live the there are no mountains or high peaks. There are woods and place for hikes, but nothing compared to the scenery of Ireland. I loved being able to look out the window and see the ever-changing scenery before me. I honestly wish we could've gone to longer route so I would have been able to see different angles of the landscape. There are times I dream of a peaceful life, living in a place where mountains and rivers surround me, and I live alone with animals to keep me company. It's a simple life but being around a busy city isn't the ideal place for me. I prefer a quiet place with nature that is far enough from civilization that I can enjoy peace and quiet but close enough I can still go to my ty...

It is no secret that the Cliffs of Moher is the absolute must see in Ireland and after seeing them for myself I have to agree. They were absolutely spectacular, honestly breathtaking. I lucked out when I went and got a beautiful day. Blue skies, a light breeze, it was truly the perfect weather to be able to see the cliffs for all their glory. There was a tower on the far end, and you have ability of the sight-seeing area, and they allow you to go the top and see some island and a higher view of the cliffs. I absolutely love being in nature. Seeing the wonders of the Earth honestly brings me so much joy it's hard to contain sometimes. The only thing that could have made that experience better was seeing puffins on the rocks. I think puffins are the cutest animals but unfortunately, they won't be back until April when it starts to warm up. However, that didn't stop me from buying a little puffin stuffed animal at the gift shop that I have proudly named Fin the puffin. While ...

The Kylemore Abbey is a surreal fairytale castle that is filled with historical relics from the Victorian time period. The grounds are filled with lavish gardens, nature trails, a beautiful gothic church, and pigs you can feed! The castle itself is 40,000 square feet and has over 70 different rooms. In total, there 1,000 acers to explore, and all the gorgeous sights make it easy to lose track of time. I frankly could have spent hours there exploring the grounds of the spectacular estate. Unfortunately, you couldn't see much in the house. I wish were able to see more of the bedrooms and upper levels of the house. However, the gardens did not disappoint. Even though the flowers were no in bloom yet, the place was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I was able to spend more time outside and explore the different nature trails they had there. I was able to see the main gardens and the pigs, so I definitely got my nature fill for the day. The gothic church was also a sight to behold. The outer ...

The Tower of Yeats may not be on everyone's bucket list on "must see in Ireland!" but it is definitely worth a quick visit. If you're not a poetry buff then you're probably wondering, "who is Yeats guy and why on earth does he have a tower named after him?" William Butler Yeats was one of Ireland greatest poets and a central figure in the Irish literary revival. His work spanned in both the 19th and 20th century and, after all he accomplished, he is considered one of the most important poets in the English language.  The Tower came later in his life and holds significant symbolic meaning. Yeats purchased the tower in 1917, and it quickly became his retreat. It held great personal and literary significance to him allowing him to write a collection titled  The Tower  (1928). The tower itself became a symbol for him representing both the struggles of aging and his desire for creative isolation. In his tower collection, it is seen to be a metaphor for Yeats...

The Rock of Cashel is a medieval site in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. This is a historic and mystical site that was the seat of the kings of Munster for hundreds of years. I had to pleasure of walking around this beautiful piece of history and I was amazed by it all. Like most of the castles here in Ireland, they are in ruin. However, even though the roofs are gone, and some walls are caved in, you can see and feel the meaningfulness and power as you walk around. The day we went was also cloudy with grays skies; that plus the crows squawking and flying above us added another level to the whole experience. I am all for sunny weather, but I felt like the overcast made the Rock of Cashel more enjoyable in a way. This building is very tall and daunting, and I feel a sunny day wouldn't do the site justice.  Normally on group trips I stay with my friends and discuss how we feel but at this site I found myself wandering off alone looking at the different tombstones and rooms of the castle. The...

Being from America, I don't have the opportunity to see castles within everyday life, so having the opportunity to see the ruins of an old medieval castle was almost like a dream. As most girls, I grew up watching Disney Princesses and would daydream of living in a castle and get to wear dresses and run around the halls. As an adult I now know that is not what princesses do and that is not what I want to spend my days doing, but seeing a castle was still a bucket list item for the little girl inside me. The Dunluce castle, though in ruin, was still absolutely beautiful. There were so many intricate parts of the castle like stairs leading up a tower to a tall, amazingly preserved window. I honestly felt like I could have stayed there for hours. The view, however, made the entire experience. The castle sits atop a hill that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and oh my goodness I would kill to wake up with that breathtaking view. I have always felt very connected to nature, maybe it's ...

     On a recent trip to the North of Ireland, I had to opportunity to visit the Giant's Causeway. This area is filled with 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which is the result of a volcanic fissure eruption. This place was gorgeous, one of the prettiest places I have seen so far. We also went on a warm, clear day which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. When you get there, you have a few options to choose from to get down to the causeway; you could take a bus down and be there in 2 minutes. You could walk on the road to bus takes and be there in 15 minutes, or you could take the scenic route and walk down a mountain and be there in 40 minutes. I chose the long way so I could soak up as much nature as possible and it was worth every second. Being able to see the causeway from a bird's eye view made it even more spectacular. The walk down to the Causeway was very easy and filled with different angles of the coastline and the mountains surrounding us. I was al...

       While on a scenic bike ride on the Waterford Greenway trail, I came across what could only be described as another world. Greenery incases you from all sides and branches with low hanging leaves sway above you. The world smelled fresh and a sense of calm and beauty just fills your soul. You truly couldn't help taking long deep breathes to fully emersed yourself in its beauty. As you venture further down this path, it becomes even more whimsical as little fairy doors start popping up along the walls. Faires have long been a part of Irish culture as they are depicted as guardians of nature. These beings are playful but troublesome as they interact with humans in unexpected ways. In Amercian culture, we depict fairies as playful, nice creates as we related them to movies like Tinkerbell. Lovable creatures, filled with magic and determination love but fear humans all the same.      When I was little, my grandma and I bonding over my very own fairy g...