Exploring Ireland: My Study Abroad Adventures in March

Wandering Through History: A Day in Kilkenny

I can’t think of my study year abroad in Ireland without mentioning the travels. This month brought me to two incredible destinations: Kilkenny and Belfast.

Kilkenny began like most of my trips with a friend - heading straight to the local tourist information centre. Our first stop: the iconic Kilkenny Castle. With parts dating back centuries and others recently restored, the castle impressed us with its stunning interior and fascinating stories.

Next, we visited the Medieval Mile Museum, built on the ruins of a medieval church, with its original shape still visible. After a quick snack, we explored Rothe House, the only surviving 17th-century merchant's townhouse in Ireland.

One of my favourite stops was St Canice’s Cathedral, where we climbed a 900-year-old round tower to enjoy sweeping views of the city. We finished the day with more historic churches and a walk along the old city wall before heading home by train.

Discovering Belfast While Studying Abroad in Ireland

Belfast was on another level - bigger, busier, and completely unique. We realised we’d crossed the border when our mobile data stopped working in Northern Ireland! After a quick stop at the tourist office and grabbing a map, our adventure began.

We kicked off with a visit to the magnificent City Hall, boasting a marble interior and a fascinating exhibition on the city's industrial history and global importance.

Next was lunch at St George’s Market, where international food stalls, artists, and antique vendors created an exciting atmosphere. Although we missed out on the dome at Victoria Square, we made up for it with a relaxing visit to the Botanic Gardens, home to a Victorian glasshouse filled with exotic plants.

The highlight of the day was the Titanic Belfast Museum. I’d heard plenty about the Titanic before, but this museum gave the story new depth - sharing emotional tales of the ship, its crew, and its passengers. It was moving and unforgettable.

CanSat Regionals: A Rollercoaster Day

The CanSat regional finals finally arrived! My team had worked tirelessly for weeks, and the final days were intense. We basically lived in the lab, preparing our satellite.

Of course, Murphy’s Law hit hard - everything that could break, did break. But thanks to some fast fixes during lunch, including coding and soldering, we got everything working just in time for our presentation.

We stayed (mostly) within our time limit and presented confidently. After all eight teams had gone, the organiser gave a short motivational speech. To our surprise and excitement - we placed second! That means we’re moving on to the national finals. The hard work continues!

A City in Green: St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

One of the absolute highlights of my year was celebrating St Patrick’s Day in the city. I had to leave my village earlier than expected due to local preparations - which turned out to be a blessing, as the city was already packed when I arrived.

Luckily, I found a decent spot to watch the parade. The bands and performers were amazing, especially the marching bands that gave it their all. The whole city buzzed with excitement, and I loved every minute of the atmosphere.

Lights, Music, Action: The TY School Musical

Every year, our school’s Transition Year students put on a musical, and this year’s choice was none other than High School Musical! As a huge fan of musicals, I knew I couldn’t miss it.

I brought a friend along and, though we went in with modest expectations, we were blown away. The TYs delivered an amazing performance full of energy, talent, and heart. It was a fantastic night and a memory I’ll treasure.