To start off my first bank holiday weekend in Ireland, we took a day trip to Galway. The sun was shining, the weather was warm (for Ireland), and good vibes were flowing. Our original motivation for going into Galway was to see Phill Jupitus. My friend Zola's idol--rightfully so!
Phill is in Galway doing various events for the Vodafone Comedy Carnival. We were attending the Friday session of his "Sketch Comic" at the Kenny Gallery, an art gallery and fabulous book store. At this event, Phill makes a very detailed iPad drawing of a painting while we (the spectators) draw him.
Over the course of the event, everyone made several detailed sketches and drawings. Here's a few of the drawings I made:
Phill humored us with his commentary and responses to our questions about the beautiful life he leads. I am always pleasantly surprised when a well-known/famous person has a kind and open demeanor. Phill is the epitome of this pleasantry.
At the end of the two-hour session, we took photographs together, Phill followed us all on twitter AND tweeted images of each of our drawings. Before we left, Phill suggested that we have lunch at The Kitchen Cafe, which we failed to do...but has made my list for a future visit.
Instead, we got tacos/burritos for lunch...a much needed escape for our tastebuds!
After lunch, we headed to a graduate symposium where our work was on display. We heard a session, led by one of our professors, Conor McGrady. Included in the session of three speakers was another one of our professors, Aine Phillips. She discussed her work with performance art in Ireland and her future plans for performance art in England surrounding Brexit.
Upon returning to Ballyvaughan for the evening, I had the ultimate pleasure of witnessing this view from my apartment--a blissful reminder of gratitude for life here.