Of Dublin and Making a Break for the Sea

Dublin lamppost

Once again I left loved ones at the Dublin airport.  Earlier I feared I would resent Dublin because it is the location of so many goodbyes, but I have had such good times in Dublin now, I don’t think there’s any real danger left. 

Mary, Patty, Rod and I spent a quiet few days between our trip to the island of Inishmore and our journey to Dublin.  We spent most of one day inside the apartment watching the wind and rain and goings on in the harbor while Patty baked.  We also wandered around Galway and did some shopping.

Patty took this picture from my balcony

Mary took this picture at afternoon tea at Griffins

We arrived in Dublin in the afternoon last Wednesday.  After checking in at our hotel, we walked to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the library.  After the fairly quiet streets of Galway, bustling Dublin was a change.  That first day we negotiated light rain and lots of pedestrian traffic.  I kept my “always have an amazing Italian meal in Dublin” streak going at dinner that night.

The next day, our only full day in Dublin, was gorgeous.  By gorgeous, I mean that though the skies were cloudy, it did not rain and it was not cold.  We walked to a Georgian house museum that is open for touring.  Unfortunately, it was closed for conservation work.  We walked through a lovely nearby park, though.  We spent quite a lot of time at the National Library exploring the exhibit on WB Yeats.  The exhibit was very well done:  informative, interesting and creative. 

Sign of forthcoming spring?

Rachel at Yeats exhibit in the National Library

Protest near government buildings

Another hopeful sign

Leaves under water, reflection of tree branches

That night Patty, Rod, Mary and I joined a “Traditional Music Pub Crawl.”  We met in a pub in the Temple Bar area where we were introduced to our two “tour guides”—Anthony and Eugene.  Anthony and Eugene introduced us to traditional Irish instruments and songs.  They explained what an Irish session is like.  They shared many things including the fact that it’s a good idea to refrain from clapping along at a music session because one’s hands become an instrument that is considered part of the session.  Once a person begins to clap, that person is expected to “play” until the session is complete; sessions can last  up to 40 minutes without a break.  Anthony told us that a good alternative is to tap your feet; this also leaves the hands free for picking up and setting down a beverage of choice.

Eugene and Anthony explained to us how important singing is in Ireland—good singing or bad singing.  I loved hearing this because I love to sing and I have the personal philosophy that, in tune or not, singing is good for the soul.  This is a self-serving philosophy.  Eugene and Anthony told us that if a stranger walks into a pub in a small town, everyone will stop and stare.  If the strangers manage to stick it out, they will be interrogated (e.g. name, address, phone number) and then, perhaps, asked to sing.  If the person does sing, it will make a positive impression. 

After telling us this piece of information, Eugene and Anthony invited anyone in the crowd to sing.  Three groups or pairs took up the challenge, including Patty and Mary.  Those of you who have heard the Hawks sing know that they brought down the house.  I decided if I was ever asked to sing as described above, I would sing, “You are my Sunshine.”  I had fun singing it as I got ready this morning, so I am ready for my small-town pub debut!

Mary, Patty and Rod at the first stop on the Traditional Music Pub Crawl

Eugene playing banjo and Anthony playing guitar

I returned from Dublin to find a platform had been constructed in the harbor.  I was intensely curious about what it was for, so this morning I emailed the Galway Harbour Company and asked.  I received a kind response that explained the platform is being used for borehole testing on the sea bed as part of the plans for the new port which is under consideration right now.  I was surprised because the platform was close to the dock.  However, I left my perch near the window today for a few minutes and when I returned the platform was gone.  I was flabbergasted.  I grabbed my camera and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the platform had moved.  I had an image in my mind of the platform “crab-walking” as it made a break for the sea.  The platform was in Galway Bay when I took a walk later this afternoon. 

The kind woman from the Galway Harbour Company sent me an invitation to a public meeting this weekend at which plans for the new harbor will be discussed and public comment will be noted.  I am definitely going to attend.  I can’t wait to see what happens next!

The research platform in the harbour on Friday

The platform makes a break for the sea!