This post features student writing.

We woke on the second day at Inishbofin to the beautiful morning sun, a few students taking the initiative to wake up early to watch it rise. At 8 AM, Chris led a group on a hike to an outlook where the rolling hills of the island were visible, and the sound of sheep echoed throughout the valleys. This brave group trudged down the mountainside and faced the cold Atlantic water. They even found a decaying nurse shark and a sheep’s skull on their journey. At 10 AM, B.J. led a revisions workshop, allowing the writers to converse and share work. After some hard work it was lunchtime! Everyone crafted their favorite lunches: grilled cheese, pbjs, avocado toast, and turkey sandwiches. For the rest of the afternoon, the students were given free time to work on pieces, meet with the leaders, explore, and get inspired. Fiona even serenaded some students with beautiful guitar melodies and song lyrics. After a warm afternoon of writing we got ready for an evening island BBQ. We strolled down to the port and enjoyed burgers, salads, and sodas. The students enjoyed dinner on picnic tables and laid out on the warm hillside; Cayla may or may not have fallen asleep on the hill immediately after eating!

Afterward, we all headed inside for the annual Putney Ireland Talent Show. With Cat and Erin MC-ing and many amazing acts, including singing, piano, magic, and juggling, the talent show brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The star of the show had to be Isaac, a young Irish boy who sung the Paw Patrol theme song for us. With the mood high and the weather still warm, we traveled back to the hostel where groups split off to play cards, drink tea, write, and watch the sunset. At Night Moves, we all got a chance to say our highs and lows of the day, with a majority of students saying “no low” and that their high was “everything.” Tomorrow, we will leave Inishbofin and head back to Dublin for the final leg of our journey.

— Nathaniel, Alex, & Cayla