Erin is Ireland!


Erin is Ireland.  Back in the 60's and 70's, the name "Erin" was not as common as it is today.  I could never find it on personalized merchandise in gift shops. People frequently misspelled it, "Aaron" like the brother of Moses or Aaronic priesthood. When correcting others, I rehearsed what I had learned...Erin was another name for Ireland.   I thought it was pretty cool that my name was in the dictionary.  Even today, if you google it, the definition of Erin reads "archaic or poetic/literary name for Ireland."  So for this new blog, I am using "Erin" as a noun- a person, place, or thing.  The "person" is me-my thoughts, feelings, and actions, the "place" is Ireland, and the "thing" is this blog and all my goals and preparations for an upcoming adventure.    

A couple of weeks ago, I was in a confusing headspace regarding a relationship.  I felt like I was in limbo and the relationship was not progressing.  I did not know whether I should cooperate and keep pursuing it or go in a completely different direction. I sought for guidance but the future seemed unclear.  I didn't know which way to go. I was anxious and wanted to do something, go somewhere, take a step- exert some modicum of control.  So...in the space of about 3 hours on a Sunday evening, I bought my plane ticket, reserved an Air B&B and rental car because I'M GOING TO IRELAND!  Now there's a clear direction.

Though it may have seemed to others like an impulsive decision, it really wasn't.  I have been planning this particular trip for the last 15 years.  I wanted to go when I turned 50.  So why now?  I had been doing research on possible destinations for my next trip with my sister and couldn't seem to arrive at a place and time frame we both agreed on.  I can only be gone for a week so I was looking at possible U.S. destinations.  She doesn't want to cram an international trip into such a short time frame. As I was thinking of the money I would be spending anyway, I decided it was important to not just go anywhere for the sake of an escape, but instead go where I really wanted to go-even if it was all by myself.  

It will be a quick trip and it will be cold.  It will be extremely hard on my body, but I'm going. Because for me it is a symbolic trip of identity- full of personal goals for adventure and self-discovery.  Perhaps some of the things I learn will be of value to others as well.  That is why I'm going to share through these writings.  

Far from a typical tourist trip or pre-packaged  "Travel Zoo" Irish Castle/Abby trip (though that trip was tempting) it is full of things that are meaningful to me but may not be of interest to others.  

Day 1- Leave SLC
Day 2- Arrive in Ireland at 10:30 a.m. at the Shannon Airport
            Drive to Louisburg (2 hour drive)
            Participate in the afternoon workshops for "Sean Nos" singing  at the annual Feile Chois Cuain festival.                        Attend the music showcase for Traditional Irish Music that evening
Day 3- Continued attendance at the festival with the Irish Catholic Mass
            Visiting several local cemeteries and churches for family history work.
Day 4- Continued participation in festival that convenes in streets and pubs to share music.
            Visit Famine Memorial
Day 5- Take O'Malley ferry and explore Clare Island- visit Grace O'Malley, pirate queen's tower house (tour    National Monument of Granualie's Castle Tower). 
            1 hour beach trail horse ride 
Day 6- Bike on Greenbelt or at Westport house
            Car explore surrounding areas
Day 7- Hike  Crough Patrick in the morning
           Visit Ashford Castle
Day 8- Get up early to enjoy a leisurely car tour of Galway on the way back to Shannon Airport

I may not get around to all these items or may need to switch things up due to weather conditions, but at least it gives me a general of ideas of things I will do.  But even more important than what I will do once I get to Ireland is the list of things I want to do BEFORE I get there.  Each item constitutes a specific goal related to becoming.
    
1:  Learn at least 1 Gaelic "Sean Nos" song using the embellishments and memorizing the Gaelic            words to stand up and sing in a pub.  
2.   Write at least 1 Celtic sounding original song/poem about "Erin" that has something to do with           increasing understanding of identity and  what I want to be.  .
3. Spend regular time on my personal family history and temple work.     
4. Study the life of Grace O'Malley and learn family history about the O'Malley Clan
5.  Study Irish History of the region I will visit and especially learn more about the famine.  Increase my gratitude for food and practice mindfulness when eating.
6.  Train and strengthen my body by going on several uphill walks to exercise each week.
7.  Daily spend time and effort improving my relationship with God through prayer and receive personal revelation to know what to do, where to go, and what to be.
8.  Write weekly entries into the "Erin is Ireland" blog. 

These 8 goals can provide an outline of "where to go" with this blog because guess what?   I'M GOING TO IRELAND!.  

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