Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath

“Dublin’s a great place. It really is. It’s a great place. And Ireland, especially, is a great place. “– Barry Keoghan

Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath in Irish Gaelic) is the capital and largest city in Ireland located on the banks of the river Liffey. The city roots go back to the 7th century with Gaels, Vikings and Normans establishing their trading relationships and or ownership here. With it’s interesting mix of modern interspersed with history it’s no wonder the city is considered one of the top thirty cities in the world.

We spent two days in Dublin too short to really explore all that the city has to offer and yet in some ways with its crowds of people perhaps it’s just the right amount of time providing one with an opportunity to come back and catch up on all that you missed.

Before the bridge there used to be a rickety old ferry where you took your life in your hand every time you used it. Known as the Wellington, Metal, Triangle or Iron Bridge and now officially the Liffey Bridge, it was the first pedestrian bridge to be established across the river Liffey.

A toll of ha ’penny was established the same fee as the ferry and interestingly this toll was paid to the ferry owner for an initial period of time to compensate him for losing his livelihood. The bridge is also known as the Ha ’penny Bridge.

In a city which is dominated by Georgian and Victorian architecture, this building in Italianate style was built by the Lever brothers who created and marketed a soap called Sunlight Soap, hence the name of the building Sunlight Chambers.

The building is marked by the distinctive faience panels that depict the history of soap production is the oldest structure in the riverside area. It was the blue panels that caught my eye amongst a host of other architectural marvels the city has to offer, and it was only later that I learned its history or even realized that panels depict the process of soap production in that era.

There are sculptures and statues all around the city perhaps a lot of them far more famous than this one. Situated close to the entrance of Trinity college and the famous book of Kells there’s something about this one that suggested Irishness and called to me more so than other statues.

Then came this one surrounded by crowds of people across the street from where he once lived. Oscar Wilde who might not be the most famous of all the poets and writers associated with the city but this statue with the poet lounging on a rock wearing a distinctive green coat is a popular attraction in the park.

The statue’s crass nickname – ‘The Fag on the Crag’ – is made all the more offensive when considering the fact that the writer’s early death is believed to have been caused by illness and injuries sustained while imprisoned for homosexuality.

Christ Church Cathedral more formally known as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity might have started off as a catholic church but is now part of the church of Ireland and is the elder of the two cathedrals in Dublin.

Founded in the early 11th century under the Viking Kings and rebuilt in stone by the Normans it was ultimately extensively renovated and rebuilt in the 19th century giving it its current form and structure.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also an Anglican church belonging to the Church of Ireland and the second major church that dominates the city. Constructed in 1191 through 1270 it is a medieval church built to look like a cross when viewed from above.

Surprisingly the two churches have a most cordial relationship with their own distinctive history, competing with each other to see who can attract more tourists than the other.

The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park is a simple white 116-foot-high cross made of steel. It was erected to mark the papal visit of Pope John Paul II and marks the location where he delivered a sermon to more than 1.2 million people. It has just never been taken down and now despite some protests by some citizens is a permanent addition to the city.

Taylors has the longest thatch roof in all of Ireland. It is a tourist attraction and every night they welcome all manner of groups to watch a top-notch performance headlined by famous artistes who have returned to their country to share their Gaelic roots with people like us.

Sipping Irish whisky samples and enjoying a superb dinner we enjoyed a performance of music, song and dance.

A trip to Dublin would be incomplete without a visit to the famous Temple Bar area full of pubs, people and music.

For me it was a hard choice because I also wanted to visit the famous Book of Kells at the Trinity College but only had time for one of the two. I decided to go with Temple Bar because while I have not seen the book of Kells, I have seen many illuminated manuscripts and old universities.

Hopefully I made the right choice. I definitely enjoyed my drink and listening to rousing Irish music as I sat in the patio of the famous Temple Bar and watched the crowds of people walking by. I can assure you that place was happening as much in the middle of the day as it is at night. Music in the pubs starts at 10:00AM and continues till closing.

Whether you drink beer or not another must in Dublin is the Guiness Storehouse. I believe the guys in our group would have been happy to go straight there when we arrived, but we ended up waiting until the next morning for our official visit and tour.

I have to admit that it is a very interesting tour and worth your time. Mind you I haven’t been converted into a beer drinker but the beer that I tasted on the tasting floor was not bad at all. At which point I abandoned the slow walk and took the elevator to the Gravity Bar with its complimentary pint and 360-degree view of the city. It’s a perfect place to walk around take pictures and then sit back and relax as people enjoy their complimentary beer.

I got mine just so I could use it as a prop and interestingly enough was able to loan it to other folks who wanted a prop but got no takers to drink it that morning. Too early I think which was great for the tour without too many people but too early to enjoy drinking.

We headed out to the ferry terminal super early with packed breakfasts in hand. Along the way we passed this bridge in the shape of a harp that I had heard about.

The Samuel Becket Bridge is a cable stayed swing bridge. the shape of the spar and its cables evokes an image of a harp lying on its outer edge. Since the harp is the national symbol for Ireland it was only fitting that this was our last major sight in Ireland.

Goodbye Ireland. I hope to return some day and explore some of what I missed and revisit what I thoroughly enjoyed.