October 7th, 2012.
This past weekend, I went to Malin head with my host family to stay with my host mom's father. Malin head is on the tip top northern coast of the republic of Ireland.  It was my first time in the republic of Ireland.  So far, Malin head is my most favorite place in all of Ireland.  Its absolutely gorgeous.  It is what we imagine Ireland to be.  All farms, sheep, bright green hills, mountains, and fresh Atlantic saltwater ocean. I tried Dulse seaweed which is found naturally right on the coast.  It is a dark purple seaweed that you just wash off, dry and eat like a snack.  It is a very acquired taste.  It took some getting used to, but now I think I like it.  It is the saltiest thing I've ever eaten (obviously).  Anyway, I also tried egg and onion sandwiches which are made from half boiled eggs, mayo, and freshly chopped onions.  It was very delicious.  Bernie and I walked all around Malin head to the Pier, the British tower which overlooked the entire town and the beautiful cliffs below.  We also walked up to crough a lough.  Crough a lough is the size of a large pond.  It is made of salt water and wayyy up in the tip top part of the mountains!!! Also, Crough a lough goes in and out with the tide.  It is the strangest thing I have ever seen! A total miracle! It is very very unusual to see a body of water way up in the mountains, let alone, salt water.  Many people think this place is a holy place and they leave various crosses and rosary beads around the lake.  The lake is filled with white stones and it is tinged a reddish color by the Peat.  Peat is a thick heavy clay/soil that is very common here in Ireland.  Many people pick it out of the ground in log shapes and burn them on the fire for warmth.  Along the coast, there is an old church (now its just mainly ruins) that was built in the early 1700s and a cave alongside it.  This was also thought to be a holy place because it didn't matter how many people were attending mass, they could all fit in the cave for shelter.  Beyond this church, there was a giant series of rocks along the coast.  In one of those rocks, was a little cove where the tide goes in 

and out and in the middle, is a rock in the shape of a big chair.  This is called the wishing well and you are meant to climb into the cave and make a wish.  Unfortunately, the tide was up and crashing against the rock, so I could not. But it was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Sadly, I didn't bring my camera with me but I will definitely be back to Malin head before my departure in the middle of December.  Along the coast, some parts are rocky and some parts are completely sand.  There are not as many shells as there is seaweed.  My host mom told me that all of the seaweed on the coast is in high demand for beauty products right now.  On slag beach, depending on the season, it is either all sand or all rocks.  There is an American woman living here in Malin head with her Irish husband and three children that Bernie told me about.  Before we left, Lexie and I went to the Presbyterian church (also along the coast) for a traditional Presbyterian service.  It was one of the best services I've ever been to.  And then after the service, you step out onto the gorgeous scenery.  Mountains behind you, with sheep dotting the mountains and hillside and the Atlantic ocean right in front of you. (Yes, sheep climb the mountains and cliffs here) Apparently in the winter, this church floods.  Every winter! Its that close to the coast.  I am so in love with Malin head and all of its charm!