About town

So to back-track just a bit, last week I went to see the gorgeous St. Stephen's Green, a beautiful park right smack in the middle of town, close to business' and museums. Some pictures....

They even have a pond with ducks and swans!

After that I strolled to Trinity College, where I only managed to snap one picture before the weather turned on me :( 

So I took cover in the college campus's science museum, where they had an interesting exhibit on, about trying and failing:

Superman's wheelchair

As I continued my stroll about town, I came across this, which I thought was pretty cool. 

And finally, practically right outside my door was a demonstration of special effects in film, as part of the Jameson Film Festival. I've seen better, but judge for yourself. There's this one, and this one.

Alas, no castle or beer this time. But fear not - my good friend is coming from Israel to visit me tomorrow, so I see pints in my future.....

Howth

**Let me first say that I'll be going out of order here, posting about my trip yesterday, and then I shall resume from before the weekend**

Yesterday I had the pleasure to venture out of the city again to a seaside town called Howth, a mere 20 minutes outside Dublin, but a world away, in terms of tranquility and peace. A relatively wealthy town, Howth is known for their Saturday and Sunday markets, along with the fresh fish markets and bustling marina. One thing I learned though, markets here do not mean the same as they do back home :)  After reading in my bible that the Howth market is notorious, I came to find less than a dozen stands. But I am learning. So after my 90-second walk around the market, I decided to see where the town took me.

And this indescribable beauty: 

After my short walk around the ocean-view houses, I saw that I had stumbled upon a walking trail that led to the Howth summit, where a gorgeous lookout awaits, a mere 3 hour (6K) hike. I thought, what the howth? 

(Scroll way down if you wanna bypass all the pictures. Mind you, I left out 3/4 of the ones I actually took.)

The long hike through the occasional mud was well worth it, taking in some fantastic views that can never be found in the city. See? I told you the beauty lies outside Dublin :) I even caught a brief glimpse of a seal!

And this, which can now never be unseen.

I had a great day, and even bought ridiculously cheap fresh-caught fish, which I then cooked for dinner and was yummers.

Hey look, there's me!

And thankfully, Howth was blessed with a castle (what village in Ireland isn't?), and although you cant go inside as its family-occupied still today, I got some nice pictures.

Another fun-filled day outta the city, hope to have another one soon!

Glendalough

So, I had the extreme pleasure to venture for the first time outta the city the other day. Dublin is great - museums, pubs, tourist, lots of action - but Ireland's true beauty lays in it's countryside. All those rolling green hills you hear about can only be found when you step outside the city. Being in the fresh country air is like, well, a breath of fresh air. From the country houses to the sheep and cow farms to the general stores in the everyone-knows-your-name towns, that is what give Ireland it's charm and what has the tourists coming back to.
I went on a tour of Glendalough, which was an area discovered by Kevin the monk, before the Vikings came and pillaged what he had built up. And in this little 'village', between a clearing, was a most beautiful lake set between the mountains. And now, to the pictures :)

Ruins of the Kevin's Round Tower and church

The waterfall leading to the Upper Lake

And the Upper Lake

Some other sites along the way.....

And waaaaay down there in the distance is an estate for rent of only 20,000 Euro per week, called Luggala. Michael Jackson stayed there for 3 months back in 2006!

We then continued onto the world-famous Avoca factory, the oldest in Ireland, where they hand knit blankets, throws, gloves, etc. Made for an interesting visit, indeed.

Hey look, there's me!

Tooooons of beautiful scenery on the trip, but alas, no castles. Had to settle for a (nother) beer. Rather, a cider. Really getting to like those, of which there are MANY to choose from, here in Eire. 

I truly hope to make it outta the city again soon, and will update of course, with more pictures! 

Dublin town

So, I survived my first shabbas here. I decided to be a good Jew and walk to shul on shabbas morning. Only took me an hour and 40 minutes, but that's cause I got lost. Of course. And it was only raining for the first hour of my walk. Of course. But after davening, I was invited by an American family for lunch and got the scoop on all things Jewish in Dublin, and Ireland in general. And my walk home only took an hour :)

Yesterday I had an historical run through Phoenix Park, which is AMAZING. Twice the size of Central Park, right here in the city. God blessed the day with sun, and hence, the pictures.

A statue

The American ambassador's residence

The Irish president's residence

  

     

This is cool

Another statue

         

I ended my evening at The Brazen Head, said to be Ireland's oldest pub, where every Sunday they have a traditional Irish jam session, with several musicians lasting a few hours. Was great fun, and a chance to brush up on old classics like Whiskey in the Jar and Grace. Here's a video for you to enjoy. 

No castle, but went to the famed Temple Bar where spirits were high and so were the people. Mostly tourists preparing their livers for St. Patrick's Day, and the locals who came to see the spectacle they make. Good times :) 

Dublin's tourist sites

So, remember when I said it was sunny? 

That was then, this is now. 

And PS, no one walks around with an umbrella here. The rain drops are tiny, and after I ruined my first umbrella in the first ten minutes of being outside, I understood the way of the locals. 

But I still love it here, as no rain ever lasts that long, and wont stop me from going about my day. 

First, I saw another old friend :) 

Although it was rainy, I managed to see the beautiful ChristChurch Cathedral, 

and the Chester Beatty Library, which is really just an Asian exhibit with no books. But it had a lovely garden :) 

And hey look, there's me!

I also saw some less-exciting sights like the National Gallery (for art lovers only) and the Museum of Archaeology. But upon entering the National Library, I was surprised and relieved to actually see some books. 

I picked up some fish n chips along the way; the staple for any Irish lass.

And no better place to get them, than here:

So, no beer today, but I visited Dublin Castle, sight of the famed Michael Collins victory after kickin out the Brits. 

Check back next week for more, shabbat shalom y'all!