CURRENT ISSUE:  OCTOBER 2023

Dublin Diaries: An Irish Wedding & an American Thanksgiving

Dublin Diaries: An Irish Wedding & an American Thanksgiving
By Margaret Mary Hicks

As I write this, I have just finished up classes up for my first semester at Trinity. It is crazy to think about where the time went. Last month was a whirlwind, but I had some amazing experiences in October and into early November. 

I attended my first Irish wedding and two of my cousins’ christenings in Mayo. It was so lovely to see my cousin Pat marry his beautiful bride Aisling. I honestly can’t believe I was here for it, but it was beautiful, and I’m honored to have been a part of the day. I am so lucky to still have family in Ireland and it makes it feel as though I am not really that far from home.

My godfather also made the trip from Cleveland to see family in Dublin and Mayo. He had not been back ‘home’ for at least twenty years, so it was interesting to hear about all that has changed and stayed the same since he was last here.

He also brought me lots of treats from back home that I had been missing (Hidden Valley Ranch, mostly). I got to show him around Dublin a bit as well, which was great, although it felt weird being the ‘tour guide’ so to speak because I have only just begun to figure out Dublin myself.

I also managed to take a trip up to Galway with several of my American friends and then made an impulse decision to get a bus to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway as well.

Galway is brilliant
It reminded me a lot of my old college town of Athens, Ohio, in that it was relatively easy to navigate and full of good craic. Our first night in Galway was filled with good food, full pints and lots of dancing. It was great to hear so much live music in once city, given that usually I am used to blaring top chart hits in about every American bar I have ever visited. Both have benefits of their own, but the live music was fabulous, and I really appreciated how much everyone was into it.

Don’t Fall off the Cliffs of Moher
The day was spent mostly on a tour bus to the Cliffs of Moher, but it was so worth it. The Cliffs were amazing, and I am glad to have that sight checked off my bucket list. It was also a little bit jarring and it made sense how many people fall off them. Although our day was really sunny, the wind was so fierce it knocked several people over while walking around. You can be sure I didn’t tell my mom I was going there until after I had gone.

I’ve also started to adopt Irish phrases and it feels weird to say them in an American accent, but I guess I should just embrace it. I feel sort of like an imposter when I say Irish things, but I guess I am kind of a hybrid Irish/American, so I’ll try not to come back to the States with an Irish brogue.

Currently, I am preparing for a ‘Friendsgiving’ with several of my friends. For most of them, it will be their first-time celebrating Thanksgiving, so I have asked my mom to send me all of her recipes. I am in charge of the green bean casserole, corn casserole and Banoffee pie. I really hope I can do it justice, especially since I am representing my country on this holiday.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it involves family, friends and food. Although I won’t be with my family this Thanksgiving, I will Facetime, and it will almost be like I am there at the dinner table. I am looking forward to showing my friends a little taste of American Thanksgiving. s of Moher

Slán go fóill,

*Margaret Mary is a postgraduate student studying marketing at Trinity College Dublin. She recently graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and is from Cleveland, Ohio. To keep up with her adventures abroad, follow @margamary on Instagram.

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