Exploring Howth

From our hotel room, Rachael and I could see what appeared to be a mountain of some sort. Yesterday, when the skies cleared up a good bit, we noticed that we could also see water on both sides of it. My natural curiosity took over, and I began to research online to see what we were looking at. If you look at a map of Ireland, a d look just barely north-east of Dublin you will see a pinensula sticking out into the Irish Sea. The town on this pinensula is called Howth. Our hotel room is situated so that we are looking straight down the landmass that connects Howth to the the rest of. Ireland. This morning we set out on a mission to find a cafe to eat breakfast in, and to see what there was to see in the town of Howth.

The breakfast was not impressive, but it served its purpose of fueling the start of our day. As I said yesterday, it was bright, sunny, and beautiful; and we spent the day indoors. Today, on the other hand was grey, wet, and cool, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I know this sounds like a dream to all of you in Virginia who are sweating it out in the 105 degree heat. We first walked through a small farmer's market, where we bought some hand made soap and some cupcakes for later. We then proceeded to simply walk. Unbeknownst to us, we had parked right next to the harbor, and we spent the bulk of the remainder of the day there, taking hundreds of pictures, getting soaked to the bone with rain, and loving every minute of it. My favorite comment of the day came from a local woman who, when we passed her, squinting to keep the rain out of our eyes, said "Beautiful Irish summer day, no?" After walking nearly entirely around the harbor we stopped at a restaurant called The Brass Monkey for a warm drink and some dessert. (We were operating under Rachael's grandmother's motto of 'life is short, eat dessert first.') After taking some more pictures in weather that had cleared considerably, we headed back to the car. We drove around for nearly an hour looking for a place to have dinner, but to no avail. We settled on the food court in the shopping center across from our hotel. Then, it was back to the hotel to dry out. Below are just a few of my many pictures from today.

Rachael and I in front of the lighthouse

Lighthouse between boats

Big chain

Classic Irish subtlety

Rachael's apple berry crumble

My banoffee -food shots for A'Leigh

Martello Tower

Ireland's Eye

Posted with Blogsy

Seolta, and Mutually Transformative Relationships

On Friday I had the opportunity to visit Seolta, the main house of L'Arche Dublin. This was my first voyage away from my hotel in my rental car, and it was quite rainy. I was actually quite happy with how well this expedition went. Upon my arrival in Seolta, it was clear that this was a different type of house than I had been in thus far. It was a single story house. All of the halls and doorways were wider than standard. You see, Seolta was a purpose built home, designed to adequately meet the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities who are also wheelchair users. Not all of the core members use wheelchairs, but this community is equipped and prepared to meet those needs if necessary. As it was explained to me, the woman who started the Dublin L'Arche Community had an accident in her twenties. This accident resulted in her using a wheelchair, but also influenced her decisions in forming a community that was accessible to people with these needs.

During my visit at Seolta I had two nice, long conversations; the first was with the assistant's coordinator, and the second was with the house coordinator. Both of these conversations were extraordinarily informative, and I am grateful for the time they took out of their day to sit and talk with me. This community is different from others that I have visited because there is no true workshop, although there are plans for this to happen. Many of their core members attend courses and groups within the community. Behind their house are two small cabins. One is used for different arts and/or craft projects, and the other is for music. Also, there is a garden area called Green Fingers, which provides the opportunity for lots of community interaction. Several different groups come to the garden to work with the core members in the upkeep of the garden, including a group of retired adults, as well as school children.


While talking with the house coordinator, he mentioned the concept of mutually transformative relationships, and this idea struck a chord with me. This is a concept that lies at the center of all L'Arche communities. Most volunteers or companions are asked to commit to at least a year in the community. During this year the hope is that they will bring their own gifts and talents to share with the community, but that they too will be influenced and impacted by the relationships that they have with the core members. There is often a defining moment when volunteers recognize and accept their weaknesses and flaws, and realize that they still have worth and value, not despite these characteristics, but because of them. Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche and current Nobel Peace Prize nominee, speaks of this in many of his writings. As a man who came from leadership roles in a military background, he talks of the trials and benefits involved in moving away from the typical concepts of working or moving your way "up the ladder," and living within your own weakness. On the volunteer's side of things, gaining perspective on this concept can come from their time within a community.

Jean Vanier

On a very different note, there are lots of people that I am thinking about and missing right now. In Farmville, Virginia my mother's family has gathered for their family reunion. This is a gathering that happens only once every 5 years, and not being there is not easy. I wish I could be there to share in the festivities with everyone. Also, in the bopping metropolis of Blackstone, Virginia 125 of the greatest people in the world are gathering for the July session of Camp Rainbow Connection, the camp that is responsible for me finding this path of working with people with intellectual disabilities. I wish them all nothing but the best, and that they too get to experience mutually transformative relationships of their own during this week of fun and fellowship. Finally, things in Ireland got brighter this morning when I picked up my dear Rachael at the Dublin airport. It has been a wonderful day with her here by my side. I am excited about the journeys that lie ahead of us in the upcoming weeks!

Posted with Blogsy

July 5th Travel Day

Thursday was another travel day. I have come to the realization that these are my least favorite days of this trip. There is just too much uncertainty and anxiety wrapped up in these days. Pile on top of that the fact that everything takes three times as long as you plan for, and costs to twice as much. The bus ride back to the airport to get my rental car set the tone for the day. I got on when the bus was relatively empty, but that did not last long. Luckily I was able to sleep for a portion of the ride, but before I knew it the bus was full to over capacity, with people standing in the aisle. I felt like if any more people had boarded, we would have looked like a scene from a movie where they are in an underdeveloped country where women are riding with their chickens and guys are on the roof with their radios blasting.

Next was dealing with the rental car company. After the things they did to me, they should at least buy me dinner. I stepped out having paid nearly double the amount I went in expecting to pay. It was either that, or have them place a hold of 4-times the amount on my card for the remaining duration of my trip. I think not. Then, an hour wait on the curb waiting for the shuttle to take us to the lot, I nearly lost my dignity. We're it not for my desire to represent my country positively, and being surrounded by a group of Jahova's Witnesses, I may have done just that. I finally get out of the lot, driving a stick shift on the wrong side of the car, and on the wrong side of the road. Only by the grace of God do I make it to my hotel. When I pull into the underground parking I hear what sounds like a snow shovel being pushed along a dry sidewalk. After some investigating, it appeared as though a plastic engine guard had come loose behind the front bumper. I went into the hotel, only to be told that I could not check in, then called the rental company. I was happy to return the noisy vehicle, and was lucky to be placed into a newer model.

When I finally returned to the hotel, and was able to check in, I was exhausted and wanted to do nothing. I sat down, put my feet up, and slipped in and out of sleep while watching Wimbledon. Watching and napping to Wimbledon is one of my all time favorite summer activities. When it came to dinner I again paid more than expected for sub-par hotel food, but my desire to not go anywhere far outweighed my desire for a fairly priced meal. I got to talk to Rach, then it was off to bed. The last time I have a day like this, it will conclude with me in my own home. Although I am not looking forward to the end f this trip, I am not sure I could handle many more days like this.

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but it is one of my favorites.

Posted with Blogsy

Kilkenny Conclusion

This was another wonderful day in Callan. It was the first day since I have been here that it did not rain for the majority of the day. With much thanks to my hosts, they had arranged for me to have some one-on-one meetings with some folks from their Community. First, I headed to the cafe to brainstorm some ideas with one of the assistants who practices life skills with the core members who live in their own flats. I love working with people to come up with ideas that may help folks achieve greater independence. I purchased my lunch from the cafe, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a slice of apple tart, then returned to eat it at the workshop.

Following lunch I met with one of the Assistan's Coordinators. After discussing the financial aspect of how L'Arche opperates, specifically within Ireland, we reviewed perceived strengths and concerns. We then walked across town to a place called KCAT, an art center for people with and without disabilities. It opperates as a branch of what are called Camphill Communities. Like L'Arche, there are Camphill communities all over the world, and in Ireland they have grown side by side since their openings. Many similarities can be drawn between the two, but the primary distinguishing characteristic, as I understand it, is that L'Arche communities are faith based communities, where Camphill communities are not. The KCAT building is three stories tall, with class space on the first floor, studio space for the more established artists on the second floor, and some living spaces on the third floor. The art produced in this environment is astonishing.

The KCAT building

My evening concluded by heading to a Community house for dinner and what they call "quiet hour." This was a nice meal in a house that I had not yet visited. Again, I am impressed by how large and nice these houses are. After dinner, some core members and assistants from the other two houses came to the house to participate in quiet hour. Quiet hour consisted of songs, prayer, a reading, music, silent meditation/thought/prayer, group prayer, and more songs. We then concluded, as most L'Arche activities do, with tea. I am now at my residence, preparing to start packing for my early morning departure. My time here in L'Arche Kilkenny has been absolutely lovely. I am forever grateful to all who opened their homes and hearts to me, and allowed me to participate in this wonderful Community.

I hope that all of my friends in America are having a great 4th of July! Please eat a hot dog and hamburger for me. Ooh, and a bomb pop too, if it isn't too much trouble. Tomorrow I head to Dublin. Until then, be well.

I think this keystone sums it all up

Posted with Blogsy

Out of the garden and into the pottery

Today was sated to be another garden day. After the blood letting that occurred last garden day, I entered with some trepidation. Fortunately for me, it has been very wet here. Like, rainiest June since the early 1960's wet. Yesterday it rained, a lot. The same went for this morning and afternoon. All of this rain is creating problems for the farmers that need to cut their silage, but for me it created an opportunity for me to work in the pottery. The garden in L'Arche Kilkenny has recently undergone some changes, including some expansion. I was given a tour of the grounds, including the garden, tunnels (green houses), orchard, Moorfield Lawn, plots for the local elementary students, and sensory garden before heading back into the warmth and dryness of the workshop. The great majority of what they grow is allocated for us in the cafe. Most of their veggies are grown at the direct request of the cafe menu planners. Their space was very nice, and they have plans for further expansion and improvements, including sectioning the garden into sections so that each core member will have an area to call theirs.

The orchard

The tunnels

Part of the sensory garden

Working in the pottery proved to be vary therapeutic, much like the time I spent in the Lambeth workshop. One core member was making Christmas ornaments and sheep, which they sell at holiday craft fairs. Another core member was working on plates and bowls. Although there are items that they are requested to make to fill orders, much of what is made is of the core member's own design. Perhaps one of my favorite approaches is pressing the clay through a garlic press, then forming it into a mould to make bowls. The effect that this makes when glazed is very cool. Most of their pieces are finished with a L'Arche stamp, which I think really adds a nice touch.

Ornaments and a sheep

The big sheep

A free-form bowl

The garlic press technique

The L'Arche symbol stamp

Posted with Blogsy

Mahon Falls

What an amazing day. Things started when I walked to the workshop in Callan. The group assembled and kicked their week off with celebrations, concerns, and prayers. Later this meeting drew to a close, we broke into our work groups for the morning. I had been scheduled to work with three core members and a lovely spitfire of a lady who shares her name with my mother. This was a life skills group. They are working on computer skills, but are using photography as the conduit for this learning to occur. We set out to the Mahon Falls for a photo opportunity, much to my delight.

The small waterfall on the way to the big waterfall

Hey ewe! (see what I did there?)

Following our outing we returned to the workshop for lunch. I then headed to the L'Arche Cafe for a tour and some discussion about things cafe related. Today is a prep day for the cafe, so they were getting things ready for the week when I arrived. Following the time at the cafe, I headed to the Moorfield house for dinner. We had spaghetti, which made me happy, as I have been lusting for some Italian food. It is late here, and I am very tired. I hope to be able to write some more tomorrow.

My submission for the Big Boys of Ireland calendar.

The sky at 9:30pm, the reason I have not seen stars yet.

Posted with Blogsy

Sunday in Callan

I had a nice Sunday in Callan. I woke up and attended mass at the local Catholic church. The interior of the church was beautifu, and I enjoyed the service. I must say, I thuroughly enjoyed hearing the priest's accent during the service. Following the service many people from L'Arche Kilkenny walked to the newest L'Arche houses in the area for tea. I spent the remainder of the day with the kind people of this house. It was nice to see a house that was purpose built for a L'Arche community. Also, they have three or four flats connected to the house for members who are able to live with greater independence. I joined a core member and assistant on a trip to a walking trail, and we took a 30 minute walk in the rain. We then returned to the house to watch South Pacific, then ordered Chinese food from the local take out place called Yum Yum. The food was not traditional by any means, but it was not bad. I spent a lot of time talking to the assistants of this house today. Things here seem to be significantly slower paced, but I am not sure if that is a result of the location, or the fact that it is the weekend, but so far I am enjoying myself. Oh, for my friends sweating to death in Richmond, it is so cool here that they turned on the radiators today. Just saying. Here are some pictures I took on my walk back to where I am staying.

Where I went to mass

The back of the new houses

The back gate

Posted with Blogsy