Seven-Years Ago (31-August-2012) — Ireland

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 09: Arrive and Depart Ireland. Galway, Claire County, and Cliffs of Moher Field Trip.

After a long nine days crossing the North Atlantic ocean we arrived in Galway, Ireland just after sunrise. We were given our passports, and went through immigration on the ship. The ship anchored, and we were tendered into Galway via the ships lifeboats. The day was overcast with some drizzle and rain. We were only going to be there for the day and I had signed up for the Cliffs of Moher field trip. First stop was Dunguaire Castle. The quick rest stop in Ballyvaughn ended up being a long rest stop since there were only a couple of toilets. An interesting character with a pipe was waiting in front of the village store. We then visited the ancient Poulnabrone Portal Tomb. As we drove through to the Cliffs of Moher passed a road sign for Lisdoonvarna — Largest Matchmaking Festival in Europe. There were also old stone homes, and farms with cows and horses on very green fields. We were running late, and missed the tourist boat we were supposed to take to the Cliffs. The next tourist boat was the Tranquility. The seas were rough even more than our crossing the North Atlantic. By the end of the tour, some of the students looked pretty green. The final stop was to a pub for a traditional Irish meal. Unfortunately, the meal was rushed because we had a deadline to get back onto the MV Explorer.


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Lisdoonvarna -- Matchmaking Festival. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm lens. (David J Mathre)
Lisdoonvarna — Matchmaking Festival. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm lens. (David J Mathre)


Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.



Click on the above image to access the individual images in the slideshow.


Lamb Stew and Guinness. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 10 mm lens. (David J Mathre)
Lamb Stew and Guinness. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 10 mm lens. (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (31-August-2012) — Ireland

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 09: Arrive and Depart Galway, Ireland.

It’s September tomorrow. What else can I say…

View from the bus traveling between Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Lisdoonvarna - Home of the Famous Matchmaking Festival. Image taken with a Nikon 1V1 camera and 10-100 mm lens. (David J Mathre)
View from the bus traveling between Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. Lisdoonvarna – Home of the Famous Matchmaking Festival. Image taken with a Nikon 1V1 camera and 10-100 mm lens. (David J Mathre)

Four-Years Ago (31-August-2012) — Ireland

Gone to see Europe. Semester at Sea. Fall 2012 Semester Voyage on the MV Explorer. Day 09: Arrive and Depart Galway, Ireland.

Field Trip to visit the Cliffs of Moher. The lamb stew and Guinness made for a great lunch.

Horse Grazing on a Farm in Ireland. Image taken with a Leica X2 Camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). Fall 2012 Semester at Sea field trip while in Galway, Ireland. (David J. Mathre)
Horse Grazing on a Farm in Ireland. Image taken with a Leica X2 Camera (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Galway and The Cliffs of Moher (David J. Mathre)
Galway and The Cliffs of Moher (David J. Mathre)
Galway and The Cliffs of Moher (David J. Mathre)
Galway and The Cliffs of Moher (David J. Mathre)
Irish Stew at Gus O'Connor's Pub in Doolin Village, Clare County, Ireland. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 10 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 800, 10 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec). (David J Mathre)
Irish Stew at Gus O’Connor’s Pub in Doolin Village, Clare County, Ireland. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 10 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 800, 10 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec). (David J Mathre)