Category Archives: Uncategorized

There I was, stuck on a packed tour bus on the westernmost cliff of Ireland, while the sun set over the sea below and Coolio’s 1995 smash hit “Gangsta’s Paradise” played on the speakers. I closed my eyes, smiled, and … Continue reading →

Five thousand years ago, Neolithic Irish settlers erected an imposing, circular passage tomb in the hills alongside the River Boyne. And 5000 years later, there it remains: one of the world’s oldest archaeological monuments, just an hour’s bus ride away … Continue reading →

“Better you than me,” the Tesco customer service agent quipped with a chuckle as she rang up my groceries after asking what I am studying in school.  I laughed and promised that my studies toward a Master’s in philosophy of … Continue reading →

Moving to a new place to begin a new stage of life is such an interesting experience because it requires asking important fundamental questions about oneself and arriving at practical answers: how am I going to live? What kind of … Continue reading →

In the Middle Ages, Ireland floated at the periphery of the known world, and the island’s medieval history is occasionally mischaracterized as remote and isolated. I remember a time when I held misconceptions that were similar, in an abstract sense, during … Continue reading →

In Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone, he laments what he perceives as a collapse in participation in civic life as a consequence of a lack of involvement in meaningful, community building interactions. In today’s politically charged climate, it is not hard to … Continue reading →

“It shook me to the core,” she said, her voice shaking, “that what happened to hear could easily have been me.” Jenny, an organizer for Galway Pro-Choice, spoke of the story of Savita Halappanavar, an Indian-Irish dentist who died in … Continue reading →

November 7, 2016 During Fresher’s Week at UCD, I stopped by the Societies Tent after class. Before I could take three steps into the tent, I was accosted by several members of the International Students Society, who seduced me to … Continue reading →

One of the aspects that fascinates me most about Ireland is its sports culture. Every town has its own Gaelic Athletic Association (or “GAA”) club, which serves as a center for local events (bingo nights!) as well as youth sports … Continue reading →

Perhaps the most peculiar thing I saw during the first week of classes at University College Cork was the Hot Beverage Society. I was confused how a student organization could keep membership when its primary purpose was the communal appreciation … Continue reading →

In the past 23 years of my existence, I’ve learned a few hard truths about myself. I’m not particularly funny. Sure, small children like to laugh at my singing in church sometimes, but joke-telling has never really been my thing. … Continue reading →