Yesterday we traveled to Cobh (pronounced Cove) - formerly known as Queenstown, aka, the last stop of the TITANIC. This Titanic junkie was very excited. We visited the emigration museum which was actually really interesting - Cobh is the main port in Ireland and almost everyone who left Ireland during the potato famine and what not left through Cobh. They also had some really cool Titanic artifacts which were absolutely fascinating to me. I've been completely enthralled with the story of the Titanic since about age 10 and this was the first time I've been to a museum that had artifacts.
Cobh is also home to St. Colman's Cathedral, the cathedral of the Diocese of Cloyne. It's a shame that I can't upload pictures right now because it is STUNNING. It was built after the British occupied Ireland and turned all the Cathedrals to Church of Ireland (protestant), so in Irish terms, St. Colman's isn't that old. When we first entered, they were having a procession in honor of Mary... I guess May is the month of Mary, perhaps everywhere but definitely in Ireland (I probably should have known that, sorry Mom). Then, we got a behind the scenes tour from the music director, Adrian Gebruers, and it blew my mind.
St. Colman, so tall I couldn't even fit it in one pictureTurns out, St. Colman is also home to the largest carillon in Ireland - 49 bells, including the largest bell in Ireland, coincidentally named St. Colman (not actually a coincidence). All of the bells are housed in the church's spire and we were actually allowed to go into the spire to see them. It was unbelieveable. We climbed up over 200 steps in the narrow spiral staircases that lead up to the top of the spire and when we got to the top, we were even allowed to go out onto the tiny little balconies. We could see the entire city and the harbor - I've never been so amazed. I have lots of pictures and I'll definitely post them as soon as I get a chance. You will not believe your eyes.
some of the bells way up in the top of the spire
looking down onto Cobh from St. Colman's
only slightly nervous that I'm pretty much a mile above the ground
the harbor - aaaaaaaaamazing. 
a little perspective for yeWe also got to watch Adrian play the carillon, and I, Casey Bridgeman, got to play the biggest bell in Ireland. It was definitely surreal because there are only a handful of people in this world who get the chance to do something like that.
playing the carillon - very excited!!
so this is how they play those bells...We all had a great time in Cobh, but the weather was absolutely terrible and we were more than ready to get back on the train to Cork. It was raining and freezing cold, but as soon as we boarded the train, the most beautiful and bright rainbow showed up over the harbor. It was a pretty special scene, I must admit.
After warming up in the hotel for a little while, we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant across the street, and then it was time for our nightly pub sessions. After walking around in the freezing cold, wet weather all day, I was definitely feeling far beyond subpar, so I decided to take it easy and go on to bed instead of going out again. My cold has progressed from a stuffy, runny nose to a full blown disgusting cough. Awesome.
This morning we had another lesson on the whistle and right now we're waiting to start our lecture. For the rest of the day we'll be listening to recitals put on by seniors at UCC as part of their final exams and then I don't really know what we'll do. Megan Robertson should be in town, so hopefully I can get ahold of her and we can have some good ol' Boonie fun in Cork.
Stay tuned for pictures, and I just have to say this because I'm so excited about it:
SEAN LEARY GOT A HAIRCUT.
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