Ireland: A Day in Dublin

From Wednesday April 6th to Saturday the 9th, in a band of two, I took a little trip over to good 'ol Ireland to get a much-needed dose of nature. We landed in Dublin at 10:40am and decided to dedicate day 1 completely to the city itself; then focus on countryside excursions for the remainder of our trip. Enjoy this little look at Dublin City!

When in Dublin, don't forget to appreciate the doors.

We were very lucky to catch some good weather for a while once stepping off the plane and arriving in the city. Ireland's weather, from the places I saw, is terribly indecisive. One minute it's a sun-shiny day and then next thing you know you're caught in a full-blown monsoon. 

Ha'penny Bridge runs over the River Liffey, linking North and South Dublin.

The city's smaller streets made me feel like I was walking through Diagon Alley.

The area of Temple Bar is promoted as Dublin's cultural quarter and has a lively nightlife that really attracts both tourists and locals. One of Temple Bar's most iconic symbols is the Temple Bar Pub. When you Google Dublin, this red wooden facade is likely to show up. We did try to visit the pub on our last night in the city, but unfortunately it was a little too popular for us. It was difficult to even fit through the door.

Christ Church Cathedral

We had to seek some refuge in the cathedral's foyer to wait out yet another out-of-the-blue downpour.

Dublin Castle, until 1922, was the seat of the United Kingdom government's administration in Ireland. Today, it is still used for government purposes, but for an independent Ireland. 

In the 930's, a Danish Viking Fortress stood on this site, and through time, expansion, and restoration the current castle came to be.

The city actually gets its name from the Dubh Linn or Black Pool (dubh = black) on the site of the Castle Gardens.

For over 800 years Saint Patrick's Cathedral has been a great part of Dublin and Ireland's history. It is the final resting place of Jonathan Swift, one of Ireland's most famous men, author of Gulliver's travels, and head of the Cathedral.

Christ Church Cathedral from another angle. You can see the stone bridge which connects the Cathedral to to the former synod hall - now home to the Dublinia exhibition about medieval Dublin.

For the afternoon we joined a free walking tour of North Dublin. If you're ever in the city then definitely check out their site. They offer South and North side tours daily. You pay what you'd like/can at the end of the tour as a tip - there's no set or expected rate. 

The Spire of Dublin was the tour's meeting point. It was meant to be called the Millennium Spire, but was completed after the turn of the century...so is now just The Spire of Dublin. It is a 120 metre high monument that has absolutely no functional purpose at all. Our guide poked a lot of fun at the entire situation, especially because a lot of time and money was invested into a project that wasn't even completed on time (and the time was a fairly essential factor).

The building pictured above is Dublin's General Post Office, located in the centre of O'Connell Street. The North side tour involved less flashy tourist sights and more history, because North Dublin was the working class side of the city and was very heavily involved in the 1916 rebellion. The movement itself was actually declared on the steps of this post office, between the two centre pillars.

Below is The O'Rahilly Memorial. O'Rahilly (also referred to as The O'Rahilly) was a founding member of the Irish Volunteers, an organization that worked for Irish independence. O'Rahilly was heavily involved in the 1916 revolution, and unfortunately met his end in the very spot where this memorial now hangs - on O'Rahilly Parade, off Moore Street. O'Rahilly was badly hurt and bleeding out, but managed to write a note to his wife. This note is now etched in this limestone and bronze memorial sculpture.

The text reads:

"Written after I was shot. Darling Nancy I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street and took refuge in a doorway. While I was there I heard the men pointing out where I was and made a bolt for the laneway I am in now. I got more [than] one bullet I think. Tons and tons of love dearie to you and the boys and to Nell and Anna. It was a good fight anyhow. Please deliver this to Nannie O'Rahilly, 40 Herbert Park, Dublin. Goodbye Darling."

An interesting story goes along with the Rotunda maternity hospital as well. It was founded in 1745 by surgeon and midwife Bartholomew Mosse. He opened this hospital because he was ashamed and disgusted by the conditions of childbirth at the time. Far too many women and children died from inadequate care or no care at all. Mosse had hoped that the city's wealthy would support the hospital financially and want to "give back" to the working class, but the donations weren't coming in as hoped. So, to trick the upper-class, Mosse opened a cafe with the most extravagant and out-of-this-world prices for cakes and coffees. Once word was out that this cafe was highly expensive, people went to show off their exuberant wealth - and Mosse was able to fund the hospital this way. Clever guy. Also, Bono was born here.

The Garden of Remembrance is a memorial garden dedicated to the memory of "all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom". The broken shields and lances depicted on the bottom of the pool are there to represent the end of war and beginning of peace.

Monument, to Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish nationalist politician.

Statue of James Connolly, the Irish republican socialist leader.

The Custom House: Federal government office. 

Famine Memorial: to honour those who lost their lives to the 19th ce. Irish famine.

To end the day we enjoyed an amazing hot meal at The Quays Irish Restaurant. The potato wedges on the left were incredible, and the main dish on the right was a tasty layered creation of mincemeat, gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. We also accidentally ordered a side of fries. Safe to say this meal was a potato overdose. When in Ireland, I guess.

For dessert, Irish cream ice cream with brown bread crumbs and a toffee drizzle.

That concludes day 1 in Dublin. Days 2 and 3 were occupied by long tours to natural sights and smaller towns outside of the city; I'll be writing about those soon. I'll talk a bit more about my overall impressions and experience when writing my final Ireland post. I hope you enjoyed! 

- Alexandra