To celebrate the victory of a Gaelic football match, I walked my first 5k. It was hosted in Downings, Donegal and we got a chance to see the lovely small town. The beautiful scenery around the walk really made it enjoyable and the weather was perfect for this sort of activity and was very refreshing. The local residents were very encouraging and helped us find our way through the paths. After the 5k, we went to play foot golf. I personally had never played this before, but it was really fun! I had a great time doing all these outdoor activities today, especially since we got to tour Downings and their beautiful town. I personally love the cloudy skies, light rain, and windy weather but it can be a drawback for potential tourists. It all depends on the individual and their preferences but if you travel to Ireland, it is no secret that the weather there is harsh, so it shouldn’t deter too many people. However, even when people come prepared, it can still be a little unpredictable. This can be frustrating for some people, but those who can adapt and go with the flow will thrive in Ireland.
Then we went to the Downings Hotel for lunch and ate before we went to explore the festival that was being held there. The festival was very lively with lots of rides, booths and a whole parade towards the end. The parade was very fun and featured a marching band, Irish dancers, and other local trucks and cars. On Sunday we took a hike up to see the Sliabh Liag Cliffs and the amazing views. It was a big uphill journey but was totally worth it in the end. On Monday, we went to Doe castle and learned a little bit about the history there. After this we went to another castle called Glenveagh Castle where we actually got to go inside to tour the decorated rooms as well as the gardens. Two castles in one day were a real treat! These castles are important because they offer a lot of historical perspective and are used as tourist attractions. They also tell important stories for those who are willing to listen.

