The Excitement of Dublin City is Still Imprinted in my Brain
By MARIE BRUCE
They say competition is the life of trade and nowhere is this more true than between Ryanair and Aer Lingus. Travelling to Ireland from anywhere in Europe has become very affordable; thanks to Ryanair. They were partly responsible for opening up regional airports and offering irresistible low fares to travelers throughout Europe. Aer Lingus quickly followed suit by offering competitive flights. Undoubtedly, a win-win situation for travelers and in my own case, I only paid one pound plus taxes for my flight to Dublin from Stansted.
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| THE BI-CENTENARY Gardens at Maynooth College which were created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the college. Situated on the college grounds, the original design is based on a biblical theme “from origins to destiny” in keeping with the history of Maynooth College. |
Dublin is a must-see destination for visitors. It is very close to the rest of Europe, yet remains very different with its unique Irish ambience and charm. When I was there in October, the hotels were packed, the pubs full and I was swept along by the buzz and energy on the streets.
The Celtic Tiger is still roaring loudly in Ireland, yet I found the essence of the country still the same. The charm and hospitality of the local people disarms and charms and the good wholesome craic is dependable.
Imagine 1,000 pubs in Dublin all smoke-free, it’s a miracle. Although, it has been nearly 40 years since I’ve lived in Ireland, the excitement of Dublin city is still imprinted in my brain. Despite this, I have never actually done many of the tourist sights. This year I decided to mend my ways and get to know the city with more objective eyes.
Walking with a spring in my step (comfortable shoes a must), I set out from my hotel. From Trinity Capital on Pearse Street, my first stop is The Dublin Tourist Centre in the former St. Andrews Church on Suffolk Street, just off Grafton Street and close to Trinity College.
This is the place to plan strategy, buy a Dublin Pass and a ticket for the “hop on – hop off” tour. The Tourist office is packed with brochures, maps, books and even souvenirs, and all the latest information on current events in Dublin.
From there it is an easy hop to the Kilkenny Shop, where in days gone by, I would browse and stop for the best pot of tea in Dublin. It is a place of pilgrimage that delights me and I am easily tempted by the goodies on offer.
My days in Dublin were filled with visits to the art gallery, the National Museum, a walking tour, an evening pub tour and a visit to the Guinness brewery. The historical walking tour leaves every day from Trinity College and I highly recommend it.
Our guide managed to cover the entire history of Ireland up to the present day, walked us to some of the important monuments and all the time dodged traffic and freely shared his opinions on pubs and politics and religion – the way Irish people do. I think some of us would have been quite happy to follow him the entire day just for the entertainment value and his great sense of humour.
Irish pubs are legendary and deservedly so, as they offer an oasis in the busy city. Everyone has their own favourite pub and I decided to dip into a few of them. Many have fireplaces and enticing snugs and I couldn’t think of a better place to spend a couple of hours on a wet day.
Dublin is bursting with good coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. I found the food to be delicious with lots of hearty soups, delicious brown breads and healthy salads. Getting around on foot is the best way to see any city and to become part of the crowd.
I often stopped to listen to the numerous talented buskers on Grafton Street and Temple Bar. Roaming around the city, I couldn’t help but notice the influence of technology. Everyone seems to own cell phones and an ipod.
Within a 15 miles radius of Dublin there are many “must see” sights. For example, Glendalough in Wicklow and Malahide Castle. I chose to visit Maynooth, which is easily reached within 30 minutes from Dublin.
It is a very ancient historic town with the remains of the Geraldine Castle and Maynooth College. It was founded in 1795, and is now part of the University of Maynooth. I went there to see the new bi-centenary gardens which commemorated the 200th anniversary of the College.
The garden is beautifully situated within the college grounds on a small site. The original design is based on a biblical theme “from origins to destiny” in keeping with the history of Maynooth College. In addition, all the plants in the garden have been mentioned in the bible.
My week in Dublin flew by very quickly. I did manage to see lots of sights and connect with my own heritage and in doing so, I had a renewed sense of what it means to be Irish. It was a mere taste of Ireland leaving me plenty of see on a return visit, hopefully in the not too distant future.
How To Get Around Dublin
The Dublin pass can be bought in one, two, three, and six day cards and can be used for entry into many of the major tourist sights. The cost is EU29 for one day, and comes with a very useful booklet and maps, outlining the important sights and how to get there. I used the book my entire stay because of the clear and detailed map and historical information.
For more information, visit: www.dublinpass.com.
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