Time is passing very quickly here in Dublin, Ireland. It’s hard to believe our time as a community is rapidly coming to an end. We have wanted to update you on our whereabouts during the past month or so, but we had technical difficulties with the blog website. So, here I am to provide all of those updates!
We’ve been spending time together as often as we can while also taking time to explore on our days off. A few weeks ago, the four House of Brigid girls met up with our wonderful boss, Katherine, to hike up to Three Rock. The view overlooking Dublin was beautiful, and we laughed and talked the entire way to the top. One of the things I am going to miss most about these girls is how often we can laugh at nothing. I’m sure some people think we are crazy, but I have never laughed as much as I have when I am with these girls.
The top of the Three Rock hike!
The view of Dublin
A couple weeks later, Maeve and I traveled to the Forty Foot for a sea swim! We had been talking about this for a few months, but we didn’t get the chance until recently. The day we chose was not particularly warm, and the water was FREEZING. It knocked the wind right out of me. Right as we decided to get out of the water, in the most Irish way possible, it started to rain. Despite the temperature and the weather, the two of us had a great time and were able to cross something off our bucket lists.
The gate of the Forty Foot
POV: We are freezing and it’s starting to rain!
A few days later, we performed in the end-of-year Heart Speaks to Heart concert! It was such a privilege to sing with such talented professionals. Almost 300 people attended the concert, and the choir sounded spectacular. Although I am sad that I will not be part of the concert in years to come, I hope the choirs continue to grow and improve, and I cannot wait to see what awaits them in the future!
Our post-concert picture!
My final update for this post involves an activity that was perfect for the House of Brigid community this year. We are often quite loud in the office, and we are usually laughing over the most minor things. Katherine, Dominique, and Fr. Mark surprised us with tickets to the Viking Splash Tour! For those of you unfamiliar with it, the Viking Splash Tour is a giant boat on wheels that takes you around the city. During a brief part of the tour, the boat-bus becomes an actual boat in one of the canals off the River Liffey. It’s a very unique way to view the tourist spots of Dublin. The House of Brigid girls had wanted to book one of these tours for months, and we weren’t sure we were going to be able to find a time that worked for all of us. It was one of the best surprises we could have asked for.
The Viking Splash Tour!
The last few weeks of June are going to be filled with fun adventures and tough goodbyes. I am going to make the most of what little time we have left by trying to remain more present with my community. I have never known these girls outside the context of House of Brigid, so saying goodbye to them and returning to our respective homes is a challenge I’ve never had to face. I am excited to see what the next few weeks bring, but I am dreading some of the hardest goodbyes of my life.
