Lights, Camera, Action! A day in the life of an Irish soap star

Today started out like an ordinary Wednesday, as ordinary as any day can be in Spiddal.  We had our history class from 11am to 2pm, and I was definitely ready for a nap when I got back to Cottage 6. However, about an hour later we got a phone call asking us if we wanted to come to the hotel and be extras in a soap opera. At first, we thought maybe something was lost in translation (even though we were both speaking English!) but when we arrived, we found ourselves on the set of Ros na Run, a soap opera based out of Spiddal in its 15th season.  My cottagemates and I spent the next four hours, with several breaks for tea of course, learning how to be extras on the show.  We even had to run back to our cottage for a wardrobe change! Everyone was super nice and really appreciated us being there. The episode we are in will premiere in November in Ireland and is also shown in Boston- no MN unfortunately! However, the director said there is a link online so we can show people at home our big breaks.  It was quite an experience, and I'm so glad I took advantage of the opportunity, even though it meant giving up my nap!

Last weekend we had our first overnight excursion to Limerick, about an hour and a half away from Galway.  Our theology professor from the Glenstal Abbey came with us and showed us several ruins of ancient monasteries on the way.  We spent the night at the Jamaica Inn (although they served us a traditional Irish dinner and breakfast) in a tiny town of Sixmilebridge. We went to the local pub that night because they had live music, and even though I was beyond tired, we stayed until they finished playing. The locals were really intrigued with us and really enjoyed our dancing! On Sunday, we went to the Glenstal Abbey for mass and a tour.  After church they had a tea/coffee/cookie reception for us and after the tour of the grounds, we had a delicious lunch. I could really get used to that! The abbey was gorgeous, and we also got to see an icon museum and a collection of rare books, some more than 300 years old! We got back to the Park Lodge that evening and settled in for another few days of class. Tomorrow we are leaving for another trip to southern Ireland and we will be back on Sunday.

I hope you are all doing well, and I miss you all!!
Ellen