This weekend was so peaceful, and that’s not for lack of activity, but instead because I spent almost the entire weekend in nature. It all began on Friday afternoon, when I finally had the time to walk the entire Dublin Mountains Way. At 42 kilometers, it’s not the longest walk I’ve done while in Ireland, but it was still a solid challenge and, more importantly, the perfect way to unwind after a full work week. I didn’t rush the route and instead allowed myself to slow down and take in everything around me: dense forest trails, rolling hills, and wide views over the city. Spending that many hours outside gave me a sense of calm that I hadn’t realized I was missing. It was a great reminder that movement and peace don’t have to be opposites.
Saturday marked our final full-day tour as part of the Bucknell in Dublin program, which made it clear that our time here is starting to wind down. With less than two weeks left until we all part ways for the summer, it’s strange to think how fast it’s gone. I was especially glad to be out of Dublin for the day as we traveled to the Celtic Boyne Valley, a region filled with some of Ireland’s most important historical sites. We visited the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, the Hill of Uisneach, and the Loughcrew passage tombs. Each place had its own significance, and it was fascinating to stand in spaces that have existed for thousands of years. The weather wasn’t perfect; it rained on and off, but honestly, being out in the fresh air made it all worth it. Sometimes, the weather almost added to the mood of the landscapes we were exploring.
I woke up Sunday morning without any real plans, which was unusual for me. On most of my free days here, I’ve mapped out where I want to go and what I want to see, but for some reason, this Sunday was different. I didn’t want to just sit around campus, though, and miss out on anything, so I decided to spend the day hopping between different farmers markets. I ended up at both Dun Laoghaire and Howth, two of Ireland’s best-known port towns. The fresh produce stands were colorful and vibrant, filled with everything from strawberries to artisan bread. The smell of baked goods, fresh flowers, and salty air from the harbor made for a perfect atmosphere. I also got to browse handmade goods, including a lot of beautifully carved wooden art, which was cool to see. I didn’t go in with any expectations, but I left feeling glad I let the day unfold on its own.
I went back to Howth again on Monday with the rest of the class, and the experience felt completely different. Even though I walked the cliffs and coastline both days, Monday’s group visit gave me the chance to explore different trails and learn a lot more about the area. We had a very knowledgeable tour guide who pointed out things I definitely would have missed on my own. I will say, I wish the hike had been a bit longer, and I could have done without the sections where we walked through thick thorn bushes, but that’s where the trail led us, and it was still a great experience. The views over the water and back toward Dublin were especially stunning. Our guide also recommended that I check out the Wicklow Mountains and possibly walk the Wicklow Way. It’s something I’m seriously considering for next weekend, if time allows.
This week at Prodieco has mostly been focused on SolidWorks. I’ve been working on a lot of drawings, which has been a good opportunity to keep improving my skills. I am learning quite a bit from the repetition, but I’m especially looking forward to starting my next design project at the end of the week. I don’t know all the details yet, but I do know I’ll be redesigning a couple of components that will go through a review process and, if approved, may be used to improve either the Prolift or ELift. It’ll be exciting to shift from just drawing parts to thinking through ways to improve functionality. It feels good to be contributing something more hands-on as the internship progresses.