Friday, May 22 ~ Dublin! I think I was nearer a panic attack here on the streets of Dublin than ever before. I must say up front, I am not a city girl. I was raised in a small town, and moved twice to consecutively smaller towns before ending up in Reno (which I consider a big city, though that generates scoffing remarks from those around me.) But let me return to the start of this amazing day. We awoke early and drove into Tullamore to the train station, where we boarded the Iarnrod Eireann to Dublin. Molly and I were delighted, as we had never taken a train anywhere. It was an hour and ten minute ride from central Ireland into Dublin (at an incredible cost of only 10 euro!) We enjoyed the passing scenery and the new experience of train travel. Our destination was Heuston Station, where we promptly jumped from the train to the LUAS, Dublin's light rail system. That was interesting! In theory, you pay for a ticket and then hop on and off as needed, though no one ever checked to see if any passengers possessed a magic ticket. It stops every few blocks so it is a great convenience for the tourist-on-foot. We chose our stop and stepped out onto the crowded sidewalks near O'Connell Street. I instantly felt sardine-ish, packed in oil and ready for shipment to an unknown destination. We moved forward with the crowds hoping that we would find one of the sites we'd chosen on the handy tourist map of Dublin City.
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After much trepidation, I was relieved to know that we were on the street where the National Museum of Ireland is located. This was our first stop, and the top of the priority list. It boggles the mind, for here in this magnificent building you will find the relics and artifacts of ages so far in the past that it is difficult to comprehend. Tools and weapons from 4000 BC. Beautifully crafted gold and silver jewelry from the Bronze Age. Pieces I had marveled at in pictures and books - - the Tara Brooch, the Ardagh Chalice, the Cross of Kong, and, as we affectionately call it, the little gold boat. There they were, sitting before me in display cases, perfectly preserved and stunning to see. There are no photographs allowed, which I understand, but I am fearful of my failing memory and how much, or how little, I will retain. We didn't plan for the awesome wonder of this place, nor the time we would spend. As it turned out, we were here far longer than planned and had to cut short the rest of our day. Dublin is really an all-day, two-day visit. Next time. We did get to take a picture of Molly next to the statue of Molly Malone, and we got a good feel for the unique nature of the place.
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We waited at a LUAS stop as train after train stopped, and we watched it continue on without boarding. It was five o'clock rush hour and the train cars were packed. I stared as one poor girl's face was pressed against the glass of the door, distorted into some morbid expression of resignation as she raised her hand and waved at me, a slight smile tugging at her mouth. We, like the unknown passenger, decided it was either that or walk back to the train station. Not an option, as the fallen arches in Molly's feet were causing her to limp. We pressed on, and pressed in. Thankfully it was only an eight or ten minute ride back to Heuston Station, where we arrived just in time to board the main train back to Tullamore. An experience I'll not forget, for the amazing museum and its treasures, as well as the city environment with which I am not quite comfortable.
Streets of Dublin
Streets of Dublin
Our Molly, with Molly Malone; Dublin, Ireland 5/09
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We arrived back in Tullamore just in time for a late dinner. We stopped in at the Bridge House for some great food and a couple drinks. Our young waiter, whom we tagged "Jimmy" (inside joke), was fantastic and extremely accommodating. He took a picture of us, ran to the bar more than once with questions we had, and was typically warm, friendly and Irish. They tip very little in Ireland - mostly just a bowl at the register where patrons throw a few coins - so the extra tip I tucked into his hand as we left garnered a response of, "Ah, jeez, you shouldn't have!" He deserved it. We went 'home' to finish up our packing and tidying up. We drive into Dublin tomorrow. We'll drop the car at the airport and spend a night in a hotel before heading to the airport and enduring the long flight back to America.
Stainte! Cheers at The Bridge House; Tullamore, Ireland 5/09
Saturday, May 23 ~ We said goodbye to Tullamore, and headed east for our final day of this incredible holiday. We drove to the Dublin airport, dropped the rental car at the returns counter, and took a taxi to the hotel where we would spend our last night in Ireland. I was a bit nervous regarding the hotel's location, as I had booked online and all I knew was that it was near the airport. That doesn't always bode well for the type of neighborhood you may end up in, but it was really nice. We were situated across the street from Santry Park, a huge and well-maintained public park with a river flowing through it. We walked there after having dinner at a little Italian place around the corner, and it was a fitting way to end our time in Ireland.
Santry Park Bridge; Dublin, Ireland 5/09
Cool knothole in Santry Park; Dublin 5/09 Not much else to do sitting in a hotel
Sunday May 24 ~ We flew out of Dublin, nonstop to San Fransisco, and that ten-hour nonstop flight is a grueling venture. I won't do it again. Next time I'll purposely book a layover where we can walk a bit before heading off for the second leg of the journey. I left with mixed feelings; it is always good to be home in your own bed with your own things about, and I missed my dog terribly, but Ireland is a place I could spend the rest of my days. It is amazing and magical, and alive with growing things. I want to go back - I must - and each time I do it will be harder to leave. The trip was everything I had hoped for; no, it was more. I've been home a week, but my mind and heart haven't yet made the trip.