We’ve just finished the second test of the day (and last of the trip). So, one could say that class is now definitively over.
People are speading to the wind again–to Shannon, to Dublin, to Paris–this time with departures back stateside in mind. It was an absolutely lovely trip. A trip filled with fun, facts, and more shades of green than I could count (don’t have to worry about color depletion theory here!).
In addition to airports and other countries some of the students are heading to Limerick to take advantage of the the Ad Law CLE. Taught by some of the same professors but with particpants who are practicing law in addition to students it sounds wonderful.
End of Program Dinner
Wednesday night we all gathered at The Captain’s Table at the Flying Enterprise to eat, drink, and be merry.
The food was delicious, the company was delightful, and the whole time divine!
We got a chance to chat with fellow students outside of studying, with professors outside of class and just have a good time.
Plus, they had sticky toffy pudding which was absolutely amazing.
Well, today is our first final. It’s in EU Legal and Political Overview–a subject that before coming here I knew very little about. I’m a bit nervous, but I (and everyone here) has been studying so hopefully it won’t be that bad.
After that the local bar association has invited us to their annual solicitors v. barristers cricket match! I don’t know much about cricket, but it sounds like fun.
Before, I think anymore about cricket though I’m studying.
UCC Main Quad
Last night the local bar association held a little get together for all of the eLSI student.
It was fun for several reasons: first, it was in a gorgeous room off the main quad that had ancient books and felt (and likely had) been there a hundred years with little change to it; second, it was nice to chat with the various professor, Judges, and local barristers; and three, it was just fun to get to know the other students outside of class!
Side note: Remember how I mentioned all barristers wear wigs? Well, at this little shindig I found out that the wigs are custom made and apparently are ordered from one place in England. I love finding out little random facts.
Cork Courthouse
Today we got a chance to go to the Cork Courthouse. During our day long visit we got to meet with Judges on the high court; observe several trials; and–perhaps my favorite–see the barristers in their specialized robes and wigs.
(Just kidding! that wasn’t my favorite part of the trip, just something I found fascinating.)
While waiting for the day to start I had a chance to chat with one of the Irish students about the difference between solicitors and barristers.
All in all it was a delightful day! And really helped me understand more about the Irish legal system (plus, seeing people in their old fashioned wigs is always awesome).
So, yesterday I mentioned the fact that UCC was on the former site of St. Fin Barre’s monastery and school. What I failed to mention is that the accommodations that most of the eLSI students are staying at (Deans Hall–Crosses Green) is in the shadow of St. Fin Barre’s cathedral.
It’s an absolute treat to wake up every morning and see that the first thing that I see on my walk into school every morning is this lovely gothic cathedral. Well, I decided to stop in yesterday and it’s almost prettier on the inside then it is on the outside. There are mosaics on the floor; stained glass in the windows, gold leaf, marble, word carvings and ceiling paintings. Looking at the whole thing, inside and out, I am struck by how much was achieved by the sweat of the human labor.
But, the two absolute best things about the cathedral? First, the organ (I adore organ music) and the canon ball that was embedded in the spire of the old (destroyed) cathedral and is now hanging decorative in the cathedral. I’m thinking of heading to the Choral service this upcoming weekend.
University College Cork
I’ll admit that I didn’t really know a lot about the place that eLSI was taking place at prior to arriving in Cork. But University College Cork (UCC) is actually quite a big school–there are over 15,000 students!
Other fun facts about UCC:
- It was founded in 1845
- It is said that St. Finbarr (the patron Saint of Cork) founded a monastery and school in in 6th century on the same land that UCC stand on now.
- It receives over 74 million Euro a year in research funding
- And George Boole (the father of Boolean logic) used to teach at UCC
Kind of neat to have all that at the same school that I’m taking classes at.
I’ll admit it felt like the first day of school today–even though I know a good number of the people here. But a new town, a new University, all new classes and my new notebook decidedly had that whole “first day” feel. Because of that I got up extra early and got to school extra, extra earlier (even though I had done a dry run of the walk to the building yesterday I was still, irrationally, worried I would get lost).
I had nothing to be worried about.
So far the faculty seem really nice and the course material is very interesting. We even got to talk about seals and the statutes of frauds as they apply to electronic signatures today! As crazy as it sounds, I’ve always had a soft spot for the statute of frauds and sealed contracts. Maybe, if electronic signatures truly catch one the sealed contract can make a come back–that would just be amazing (it’s still a legal consideration equivalent or similar in 13 US jurisdictions*). After all, some of the reasons the seal fell out of use (ease of forgery and lack of distinct seals) would be gone with an electronic signature as seal.
*Curious about which 13 jurisdictions still hold a seal as a valid consideration equivalent or as a valid consideration equivalent when combined with nominal consideration? Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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