A week in Dublin

It's officially been 1 week since I arrived in Dublin and so far it has been wonderful. I haven't started classes yet, just got word today that we will have an orientation meeting this Friday and then classes begin in earnest on Monday the 26th. Everyone who is a post-grad it seems was in the same boat of "what the heck is going on?" everyone we've been talking to lately has no clue when they start classes or which classes they're supposed to take. It's been odd but oddly relaxed as well. I'm not super stressed about it considering everyone is in the same position.

My flatmates and I are busy picking events to attend this Friday night for Culture Night in the city. It's basically a night once a year when all the Dublin attractions like museums, Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse, the Jameson Distillery and all the like are open late (until midnight) and are all free to attend. So we are trying to be strategic and pick the best ones so that we can pack as much as we can into the 5 hours of this cultural event.

This Thursday is also Guinness Day. Ireland wide, well Belfast, Kerry, Limerick and Dublin will all be raising their glasses at the same time 5:59pm to the inventor if their famous beer - The Guinness. I'm thinking that as a lady who has never had a Guinness before, Thursday might be the perfect night to try it out.

Today will be more low key, my flatmate Becky and I are going to go downtown and walk along Grafton street to see what kind of cool art work we can find for our room walls. Then we will visit some bookshops ans wonder. Most of the errands I've had to take care of this past week are over and done with and I plan for this last week off before classes start to be one of excitement and relaxation. I want to see as much as I can before things start to get more crazy and busy with school.

Updates on all my adventures of the week to come!

Overcome by Violence of Delight

These are the street sayings I was talking about in my earlier post. They seem to be hidden all across Dublin so I've decided to document as many as I can through out the year. Look for them in one of my pages labeled "Street Sayings". 

This one I especially went back down a hidden side street to find. It was the first I saw in Dublin on the second day I was here and it made me smile. A perfect saying for the Irish people.

Molly Malone

June 13th is Molly Malone day in Dublin. Originally a song otherwise known as "Cockles & Mussels" the tune has become the unofficial Dublin anthem. The statue was unveiled in 1988 and sits at the entrance to Grafton Street.

Courtesy of Wikepedia here is the rundown on fair Molly:

The song tells the fictional tale of a beautiful fishmonger who plied her trade on the streets of Dublin, but who died young, of a fever. In the late 20th century a legend grew up that there was a historical Molly, who lived in the 17th century. She is typically represented as a hawker by day and part-time prostitute by night. In contrast she has also been portrayed as one of the few chaste female street-hawkers of her day. However, there is no evidence that the song is based on a real woman, of the 17th century or at any other time.

First Tourist Attraction - Dublin Castle

Went to Dublin Castle today with two of my roommates, Mary from New York and Rosie from Blackpool, England. The castle is right in the middle of Dublin down the street from my university so it was easy to get to and a gem to find in the middle of what has become such a modern metropolitan city. 

 The outside clock tower in the courtyard of the castle. To the right of this building is the tax office where Bram Stocker first started his career as a clerk. The castle itself remains today a fully functioning government building. Apparently yesterday the same Bollywood movie that was filming at Trinity was filming in the castle.

Dublin Castle was built to house the Protestant Ascendency, or the British nobility who came to plunder Ireland in the 12th century after the Vikings. The original medieval castle burnt down in a fire but remains of the exterior wall and the mote were excavated over the past 10 years.

 

This area of the old castle is the only part that remains of all of Viking Dublin. The Vikings gave the city it's name actually when they used a sea port off the coast of Dublin and termed it "Duflin" translated in English as the Blackpool. The water from the mote under the castle is an underground river that runs beneath the city and eventually connects to the Liffey.

The interior castle was rebuilt in the 17th century when Henry II ascended the British throne and came to Ireland. It has housed many dignitaries over the years, most notably for our time, Queen Elizabeth II on her royal tour which marked her first ever visit to the Republic of Ireland. 

Outside in the courtyard of the new castle. The only part of the old castle that remains as seen in pictures above is the tourrette from the 12th century prison (figures). 

notice the ram's head!

 The ladies receiving room on the right and reception room on the left where figures such as Queen Victoria would entertain her ladies in waiting and dignified guests.

 

Portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert still hang in the receiving room as Victoria specified that she commissioned the portraits specifically for the ladies room. 

Interior of the Throne Room. The last British monarch to sit on the seat was King George the VI, Queen Elizabeth's father.

 

These two symbols sit atop the throne, the unicorn represents the house of Stuart and the lion the house of Tudors, each figure holds the Irish symbol of the harp. 

 This chandelier which weighs more than a ton (scary to stand beneath let me tell you!) was commissioned after the Union in 1801. There is a wreath that runs along the base of the last ring of lights which contains three symbols, the rose for Britain, the thistle for Scotland and the shamrock for Ireland. The Union was a contentious historical event for the Irish but I suppose this entire castle was as well considering that it represented England's dominant rule in Ireland.

 This is the room where the Irish President, to be newly elected come this October will be officially sworn in. The current President Mary something or other has held the seat for 14 years.

 Their are three paintings on the ceiling of the room painted by an Italian artist who was later hired for several more portraits. The three murals represent key events in Irish history beginning with St. Patrick bringing the Christian religion to the island and ending with Henry II visit to Dublin to lay claim to the land.

Me at Dublin Castle.
(sorry it's not more of a close up...)

Settling In

It's been three days and the jet lag is still getting to me, but I've been spending my days in the city marveling at the fact that yes indeedy I am finally in Ireland.

Today was another busy day trying to get my phone unlocked - which took me across the river Liffey courtesy of the Ha'Penny Bridge. I love that Dublin is so walkable. I got off the bus at Graffton Street and walked to Trinity, then I took O'Connell street and followed that across O'Connell bridge which is another bridge that crosses the Liffey and found myself in a whole new part of Dublin. Equally beautiful with tons of shops and secret walkways. I had to get to O'Connell street to find the store where I could get my cell phone unlocked and while I was waiting I shopped a bit.

How awesome is Marks & Spencer?? Lets take a moment to thank the creators of this marvelous shop. Not only is it a clothing store, they have wonderful food selections with a whole section of pre-made quiches and desserts. Things like tomato and broccoli quiche and rhubarb caramel crumble and fancy French torts. I sit here writing as I munch on a quiche...so good! Hitting the spot.

I wanted to take a picture of Daniel O'Connell's statue the great Irish Liberator who fought for Catholic Emancipation and Repeal of the Union. Now his statue is a great place for pigeons to sit and poop. Alas, in my way back from Marks and Spencer and the phone unlocking I ended up walking down a different street and found myself at the Temple Bar district without even realizing. As I walked out of the corridor of bars I thought I would once again be on O'Connell street but like I said Dublin is very walkable and you can easily end up back where you started as I did at Trinity College. At least this means that after a late class, the bars are right close!

Back onto Grafton I ventured to get myself a sim card. An Irish band, the same one I enjoyed a preview of yesterday sat playing outside the Tom Ford store so I stopped to have a listen. It really is so pretty on Grafton. The store are mostly boutique and luxury but the scenery is worth the visit. All old buildings with great names and history. It hard to describe the way everything is laid out because Trinity converges around a roundabout and Grafton shoots off of that so everything is sort of in a circular motion.

I got myself a bus pass so this weekend I will be visiting both Dublin Castle and Kilmainham Goal. So excited for both of those visits. Especially Kilmainham due to the history. It housed members of the 1916 Uprising and tourists can actually go in and see where the prisoners were held and executed. I learned all about it in my Irish history classes so I can't wait to see it live.

I had the feeling today that I am starting to fit in here. I love getting lost in the streets, turning left and right without knowing where everything will take me. I love the little signs on store fronts or bridges or archways to alleys that seem to give you little pieces of advice as you walk. I saw today on the Ha'Penny Bridge - Where Dreams Begin it made me smile and want to take a picture but I ran the risk of getting trampled by busy passerby.

All in all I had a great day, even if it was mostly business. I'm more relaxed here. I don't worry so much about timing or getting things done. I know it'll all work out somehow and I'll get business done all in good time. Maybe that's the Irish way. The feeling that even if the streets are busy. No one is pushy or anxious or ready to run you down if you don't get out of their way. Everyone is friendly and ready to help and even though it's a city full of about a million we all go at our own pace. Maybe this atmosphere will teach this Aries to calm down and go with the flow. I figure that can only be a good thing.

Trinity College and Surrounding Views

 Outside Trinity Gates

Walking along Pearse Street.

View of side street leading to Ha'Penny Bridge.

Dublin Loves Drama!

ad for upcoming festivals

View of Ha'Penny Bridge from Crosswalk

Temple Bar District

 

View from both sides of Ha'Penny Bridge - Crossing the River Liffey. I intend to get some great night shots of this area! It'll look amazing all lit up.

Stray cat I found on my way back into my apartment complex. I named him Titus. 

**Sorry for the less than stellar picture taking - it's hard to stop and get a good shot with so many people moving about. I plan to devout a day to picture taking and really get the effect of what I'm seeing. These are all quick pics taken as I walked from place to place running my errands. **