Documentary Response 2

I chose to do this blog on Enniscorthy, better known as the location of Vinegar Hill.
During the Irish Rebellion the attack on Vinegar Hill happened on the 21st of June in 1798. This is where 15,000 British soldiers attacked the largest camp and headquarters of the Wexford United Irish rebels. This was a very big turning point in the rebellion. It was their last attempt top keep the British military away. The battle was actually fought in two different spots. The attack was fought in the streets of Enniscorthy and on top of Vinegar Hill.

 This is Vinegar Hill!

This is the town of Enniscorthy!

 

The rebels were very smart for putting their headquarters on top of the hill. When you stand on the top of the hill you can see for miles from every direction. Also the hill had an windmill on top so they could keep their prisoners locked inside.

 The ruins of the Windmill.

 Some of the views from Vinegar Hill.

 Even though it is harder to see the different values in this picture, you can still see that there is a clear view for miles.

 

 

 

However, when the British soldiers surrounded them and closed them in they had no where to run. The attacked happened right after dawn. When General Johnson attacked the town of Enniscorthy he was meet with a very strong resistance. The people of the town knew if the British got to the Slaney bridge there was no stopping them, so the people of the town fought with all their might. However, their weapons were nothing compared to the British's. The British had cannons and faster working muskets then the Irish Rebels. Then the Rebels had pikes which were this long sticks with a sharp melt point and a hook on the end.

In this picture he is holding the pike.

In this you can see all the weapons used in the attack.

 

Sadly, the rebels did not win this attack. 15,000 Irish men, woman, and child were killed in the attack at Vinegar Hill. The tour guide something that really stood out to me. He said that they got he name Vinegar Hill, because so much blood was spilled there that it run down the hill like Vinegar.



Documentary Response 1

Since arriving in Waterford I have not stopped being amazed. It is so much different than my small hometown. I love that you can see how much the Irish cherish their history through the love they show the historical land marks. One thing that I am happy to see is how bright the buildings are. I have notice that they are extreme friendly here. The saying treat your neighbor as you want to be treated is a major thing not only in Waterford, but for all of Ireland!

One trip that I really enjoyed was the tour of Waterford Crystal. Waterford Crystal started in Waterford city in 1783 (WOW)! It was in a larger factory until about four years ago when they ran into money troubles. In 2010 they open back up in a smaller factory in downtown Waterford. Luck for us they now do tours, YAY! It was a very eye opening tour. I did not realize how much skill it actually took to blow crystal by hand. It was amazing to watch them take a blob of orange crystal and blow it in a beautiful vase.

 

They have all different jobs that they spend years perfecting. Someone blows the crystal, then cuts off the top, draws on the designs by hand (I would be shaking to much), then finally they cut the designs in. I learned that they use a diamond edge saw to cut the crystal.

 

 

We went to Woodstock on the 23rd. This was a beautiful home built in 1745 and did not get done until 1747. However, the main house was burnt in 1922. In the time before it was burned down the head gardener made a huge garden with trees and plants from all over the world. The gardens are still there, but the house is in ruins. For some odd reason my mood was a little off this morning. I found the ruins of the building peaceful and inspiring. I was very deep in to myself and doing some soul searching when I started taking pictures for the ruins and the beautiful scenery!

 

However The Woodstock Gardens were wonderful. Hook Light house had to be my favorite of all!! Hook Head is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland! It has stood over 800 years. It sits on the coast the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, in Ireland. the Atlantic ocean is coming into this coast. It is breath taking sight!!! It was great to watch the water crashing into the cliffs. It made me feel very blessed to be on this trip.

 



Before Departure

Hello, My name is Sara Hobbs. However, there are a lot of Sara's on this trip so everyone can call me SaraBeth. I am from Valdosta, GA and I attend Valdosta State. I recently declared my major as Psychology. I am very excited about declaring my major and starting my journey to become an Art Therapist. I am very into music and having a good time with friends. One thing that makes me whole is my love for art. I have been painting since my mother gave me paper and watercolor paints. I am a very friendly person. I love to smile and laugh.

I was really lucky when my English teacher pulled me aside and told me that about the Ireland Study Abroad trip. I have always wanted to go to Ireland, so I started looking up how much it cost and what I would need to do to get there. I have never been out of the country or even on a plane. I decided to do study abroad because I could get college credits and it would be a wonderful life experience. I looked at the other programs, but Ireland just popped out at me. Ireland is such a beautiful country and I can not wait to learn about their culture.

I am super excited about leaving the country and getting this wonderful chance to see the world. I am also nervous about being out on my own for the next five weeks. I can not wait to meet my roommates and make some great new friendships. The first free weekend in Dublin I will be going to the play which is going to be so much fun. I am also spending my birthday in Ireland and on that same weekend which I am super excited for. I am nervous about not having great time management skills over there and not using my time wisely. There is only more thing I am nervous about and that is I am not going to want to come back to the states after the trip. I am so excited that I got this opportunity. I had to work my fingers to the bone to get the money. When I get off that plane in Ireland its going to be very rewarding to know that I finally made it.