Ireland is a tremendously special place for me. It's more than just a vacation, more than just a beautiful country. For me it's, I don't know how to describe it...spiritual, emotional, introspective, mysterious, inspiring, humbling, and at times, even heart breaking. Our first trip was back in 2004 with friends that we were on staff with at theMovement. I went again that same year in the summer with a group of college students from our church, though that time without Katie. It had now been 5 long years, and I was more than ready to get back there.
I'd like to share our trip with you, day by day, to see if I can somehow, in a small way, bring some sort of justice to why Ireland is what it is to me.
DAY ONE: New York City
(For an even more in depth visit to the City, and more pictures, check out my last trip by clicking here and then scroll all the way to the bottom, then work your way back up through the following days)
Well Day One for us is actually a span of two days, technically, since we were up for the whole of 31 hours (give or take a 20 minute nap or two on the flight), but I'm going to split up what we experienced as Day One into two parts: New York City layover (actual Day One) and arriving in Ireland (actual Day Two).
We had a nice long 6 hour stopover in New York City that afforded us 4.5 hours in the City (once we got on the shuttle and dropped off from the airport), which was very nice because it gave us plenty of time to cruise around Manhattan. This would have been my 6th visit to NYC, but only Katie's 2nd. It was nice this time around because I was able to show her around much easier than the last time we were there together, which was the first time for both of us.
We started off at Grand Central Station where we got dropped off went inside to peer the grand rotunda, which is absolutely amazing in its architecture. From there we walked up 5th Ave. and made our way over to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. and it is absolutely amazing. This was a great little "appetizer" for more of what we would be seeing (but much older) in the days to come. 
The Gothic style building with unreal spires and high reaching vaulted ceilings are made complete with the incredible pipe organ in the back of the cathedral. The Stations of the Cross are all carved in marble and are massive. There are various statues throughout with candles that you can light as an "offering" to the church. I always make sure to light a candle at St. Brigid, an Irish saint. There is also a Pieta sculpture that is mesmerizing in it's perfection and detail.
After this, we cruised through Rockefeller Plaza, checking out NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, and all the flags of the world in the courtyard. Then we hopped on the Subway and headed down to Washington Square, near NYU in the Village. The Square is a fun place to hang out. It's a great mix of college students doing homework and drinking coffee, the urban vibe of people freestyle rapping, older folks playing chess, roller skaters, people playing in the fountain, and a homeless guy peeing in public showing no shame (ask Katie all about this story).From there we walked through the Village with all of its chic shops, pubs, ristorantes, and bistros (and enjoyed some tasty frozen yogurt) and then walked into my favorite pub in NYC (and quite possibly my favorite pub in America), McSoreley's Old Ale House.
McSoreley's has been around since 1854. It was frequented by Abraham Lincoln and other noteworthy historical figures throughout its long life. Virtually unchanged, it's a must-see stop for some old fashioned Manhattan history. And let me tell you, the ales are phenomenal (I recommend the dark ale, and by the way, they only serve 2 drinks: dark ale and light ale). They are brewed on site and are amazing...and cheap, about $2 per glass.
From the Village we got back on the subway and headed up to Times Square to hang for a bit before getting back on the bus to the airport. Yes, it was a brief little 4.5 hour stopover into the City, but a fun one. I absolutely love NYC, and I enjoy every minute I get to spend there.NEXT POST: Day 2: Arriving in Ireland, Dublin, Slane, and Clegeghan's in Lisburn...
