College Days: Getting our Geek on at Trinity College

by Alex and Tasha in Ireland

Whether you are passing through Dublin or using it as a jumping off point for the rest of Ireland - If you see nothing else in the city I would recommend you take a short stopover and check out one of my favourite areas in Dublin, and home to some of the most beautiful classic architecture surrounding the infamous - and the unironically awe-inspiring Trinity College.

photo by: wenzday01

Trinity College is perfectly surrounded by Dublin City - just on the south side of the River Liffey somewhat near the Temple Bar district. The College was originally founded by Elizabeth I in 1592 to help keep her loyal English subjects in Dublin from picking up any 'pesky' Catholic leanings from the Irish colleges, and it has been Ireland's most prestigious university ever since. Current students offer tours of campus every day, and by all accounts, they're well worth the money.

This, however, was not why we where there.

Snapshots of Ireland, Part 1

by Alex in Ireland, In Transit

When we first arrived in Ireland in February, we had our job in Killarney already lined up. After briefly (and I mean briefly) passing through Dublin and taking a week to chill out (read: barely leave the hostel) in Cork, we headed straight for the hostel that would be our job and our home for the next 6 months.

While it was great working in a lovely small town, we didn't really get the chance to go anywhere and see anything else of Ireland during that time. Fortunately for us, however, at the same time that we were finishing our work in Killarney, my mum came over from Australia to visit us.

Retake the City: Killarney

by Alex in Ireland, Retake the City

For our first 6 months in Ireland, we were living and working in Killarney, in County Kerry. Killarney is a small town but a major tourist hub for the south-west of Ireland, mostly because it's the start & end point for the Ring of Kerry.

We've already shared some of our more memorable experiences around town (including its deeply spooky side), but it would be remiss of us as travel bloggers to spend so much time in such a popular tourist town without giving you guys a bit more of a guide to the town and some of the surrounding area.

The Wild and Beautiful Connemara

by Tasha in Ireland

As anyone who follows us on Facebook will already know, we have moved around quite a bit recently. From Killarney, to a three week road-trip with family, to working in the Connemara, a quick stop in Galway and now settled and working in Dublin for our last few months in Ireland.

I could be completely diplomatic and say we have moved to Dublin for "unforseen circumstances" but frankly, as much as I love Dublin, I am still a little sad we had to move from the Connemara. We were settled in, with a good routine and good friends. Unfortunately the tiny fact of not getting paid for our work got in the way. It's one of those unfortunate possible downsides of travel, and one I am surprised we haven't run into before now. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, know your rights, stand up for yourself and don't be afraid to walk away.

Regardless of how we left things - the Connemara remains one of my favourite natural treasures of Ireland and I would be remiss in my duties as a vicarious travel guide if I did not take you on a virtual tour.

Top Ten Photos of Our Next Five Months in Ireland

by Tasha in Photos, Ireland

Summer in Ireland. According to locals it has been the best weather in years. As always feel free to link to your own faves in the comments and/or on facebook :)

Are All Travellers Secretly "Ambassadors"?

by Tasha in Epigrams and Interludes

Is there a new form of Nationalism sweeping the world? And by sweeping I mean…has been here all along but is only now being noticed now that the older, more traditional view of Nationalism is dying out with the last generation that required it? (Wow that went to a morbid place)

With the rise of the internet age and the breaking of the longstanding cultural divides, Nationalism can no longer be personified by the perpetual reciting of the national anthem before a flag. Most nationalistic displays are now seen either on a Commemoration/Independence day, or during an international sporting event such as the recent Football World Cup.

Still proud of the Socceroos, they played some damn good games! photo by: gi.te63

However it is the more subtle and lesser acknowledged form that I am referring to, the form of Nationalism dominated by global friendships, through travel and by my best friend...the internet. This is the simplest form of nationalism. The one where by declaring the simple fact 'I am Australian' you suddenly become an ambassador for that country to everyone you meet, everywhere you go.