UCD Quinn School of Business Blog

Chapter 6

April 1st, 2009

So, by now we have settled back into the mundane routine that is our life, but we do not settle for anything below brilliant!  Coming down from the high which was Spring Break ’09 we decided to shake it back up a bit!

Caroline enjoyed a relaxing yet fulfilling week of being pampered by her mom and close friend… delicious meals, fabulous accommodations, and the love from a mother was well deserved and received after months of separation.  She went to beautiful Galway and Connemara for a weekend trip and reveled in yummy seafood dinners and quaint B&Bs.  After her family’s departure, Caroline was thrown back into roommate living.

To pay homage to the film P.S. I Love You (it wasn’t the best movie, but when in Ireland, right?) we decided to relive Hilary Swank’s experiences, starting with a night on the town.  We headed to Whelan’s with our roommate, Kate, and were pleasantly surprised by all the locals between the multiplicity of rooms.  Six hours later, we emerged from the pub confused by the daylight savings time change and at least 4 hours of the 6 are unaccounted for… even in our semi-sober state.  Time flies when you’re reliving a movie.  Regardless, we had a blast!  Whelan’s delivered, and without a cover charge before 10:30pm.  Needless to say, we didn’t leave wearing the leather jacket of our future husband or with a song dedicated to us… unlike H. Swank.  But the local lads we did meet were quite eccentric.  Of the three, we still can’t pronounce the authentic Irish name of one, and the other two we dubbed the Tall Arrogant One, and The Cynical Ginger.  It was good craic. 

On the way home, still confused by falling into a blackhole of time, we stumbled into Harry’s Diner where we proceeded to gorge on a bag of chips.  Fortunate for us, the people next to us were a little less hungry and left their Deluxe Chips for the taking.  When opportunity knocks… we say pass me the fork!  Without hesitation the three of us proceeded to lick their platter clean.  Don’t worry readers, we supplied our own sterile utensils.   

Sunday we set out on Part 2 of our Hilary Swank reenactment, sans the Wicklow Mountains.  We ventured instead to the quaint sea town of Greystones, and were pleasantly surprised.  Not only did the town provide a gratifying atmosphere, but the Happy Pear did a number for us!  Between all the inspirational quotes, organic soups and delectable dishes, the true treat was the “pear” of twins who owned the establishment!  Delicious!  Possibly the best part of our experience.  We set out to meet our future hubbys, and similar to H. Swank’s experience, we succeeded… they just don’t know it yet.  Sure, our interaction was brief, but no less magical.  We plan on returning and fortifying the relationships.  We hesitate to even speak of the Happy Pear, because we know all of our readers will rush to whisk them away from us… we trust you will respect our wishes and LAY OFF!

Kind regards,

E and C

P.S… Log on next time for more lasting impressions of our impressions of Dublin!  Slan!   

Entry Filed under: Study Abroad Students