So, off we are on Thursday morning to Ireland! We took a bus to our hostel and inquired for a good place to go eat lunch after we were settled in. This hostel was the coolest (of the two I've now ever visited) I had ever been in. It was not only spotlessly clean and spacious with a great kitchen and free breakfast, it had fantastic staff, and a great teen hang-out vibe. The front desk people were my favorite, and we were endlessly entertained on our way in and out by their crazy jokes and fun-loving personalities. Our hostel was situated right on the river in the middle of town, and on our first afternoon we were directed up the hill to a burger/fish and chips place that had great 5-Euro lunch specials on Thursdays. It was the first burger I had had since I left the states, and it was DELICIOUS!
This is the Dublin General Post Office - a building I saw on my bus ride to the hostel.
We wandered around for the rest of the day, taking in the city, and finally grabbing a quick dinner and heading to our first activity - the Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl!
When we arrived, I got my first Guinness (ever)! Hooray!
We met our two guides/musicians for the evening - Anthony and Eugene, and from that point forward it was one of the most magical evenings I have ever experienced. One of the most important values in my life is that, when you play music, you do it because you want to - because you love it. Not for any other reason. And the Irish have really got that figured out. They play songs they like with people they like because they like to do it. They aren't there to please anyone else. There are countless pubs in Dublin that have tables reserved for musicians who can come and go as they please (and we're talking all ages here) and play whatever strikes their fancy. Businessmen, grocers, and actors alike (I did see a famous actor sing a few songs at a session while I was there! He was great!) I even participated at a few pubs that I went to, and sang a song at each. Some classical, some traditional. Danny Boy is actually not as popular in Ireland as it is in the US, but I had people singing along with me when I had the courage to start singing it one evening.
This is one of the many reasons I am in love with Ireland. Not only are the people friendly and genuinely interested in the well-being of others, the scenery gorgeous, and the history rich, but the musical tradition is fantastic. I want to live there. Someday. For a while.
The next day after the pub crawl, we went on a historical walking tour of Dublin and learned even more about the history of the place.
We saw the Dublin Castle!
This is in the courtyard of the castle. (The statue is Justice.)
Christ Church Cathedral
The Four Courts (Right across from our hostel! It was a great view!)
A side of "the mound"
The view from the hill
The burial site
The entrance (no pictures were allowed inside)
The burial chamber I visited was formed in a cross shape with three large circular basins inside. These basins could not have been placed there after the enormous structure was built, so it took a lot of planning and architectural know-how to create each one. Not a drop of water has penetrated through the roof since it was built, and the entrance lines up with the sun on the sunrise of the winter solstice. These megalithic people were incredible!
That evening I went to the best bar in Dublin for local live music sessions, and in the morning the three of us girls went shopping for touristy stuff. All in all, a great time, and I can't wait to go back and learn even more about Dublin and the rest of Ireland. I've caught the Irish bug, and now I want more!
With my tin whistle at Gogarty's I had this whistle before I came to Ireland! My lovely mother got it for me :)
Next, I'll be telling you all about my trip to Rome!
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