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Campbell Coonley: Week 3 – An Adventure Out West

It’s hard to believe that we are beginning our third week in Dublin already, and it manages to keep getting better! This past week I have had so many new and unique experiences that are some of my favorite memories yet. My internship is still going well – I am building stronger relationships and learning so many new skills. Last Thursday, I began doing the payroll for some of our clients which is crazy for me to think that I am managing real money. I feel that I am becoming a valuable asset to the team by assisting with important tasks and working with real clients.

Friday morning we left for Galway and I was so excited to see the west coast of Ireland. Our first stop was the Cliffs of Moher, and while I thought I knew what to expect, the cliffs and coast were much more impressive in person. Pictures really cannot capture the immense size and beauty of the cliffs. We enjoyed walking along the coastline and taking many pictures along the way. On the way to Galway after lunch at a traditional restaurant, we stopped at the Burren and walked on the volcanic rock to reach the coastline, which was unlike anything I have ever seen. We soon after arrived at our hostel and settled in, refreshed ourselves, and set out to explore downtown. Galway was nothing like what I had imagined – the town was quaint but lively and the different colored buildings made it truly fun and unique. My roommates and I grabbed dinner and ate by the river, then explored a variety of pubs and bars, met up with many of our classmates, and had an unforgettable night!

On Saturday we had an early departure to take the ferry to the Aran Islands. This day was probably my favorite of all my days in Ireland so far. Upon our arrival, we got our bikes for the day, found a delicious spot for lunch, and began exploring the island. Kayla, Norah, Sienna, Aidan, and I biked along the coast and stopped a few times along the way to see the wildlife and explore the terrain. We biked a total of 10 miles across the island and I loved every minute of it. On Sunday I enjoyed our trip to Kylemore Abbey and later the Killary Fjord boat tour. Each stop we made brought us new adventures and unforgettable experiences. I truly loved our time out west!

Exploring the Aran Islands
Cliffs of Moher
Made a new friend!!
Night out with Sienna and Norah!
Kylemore Abbey

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