When Irish Eyes are Smiling

IRELAND!

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
–Irish blessing

After much anticipation, the time finally came for me to follow my roots into the great city of Dublin, Ireland.....and what a time I had! From the moment I arrived there was an excitement in the city that couldn't be dampened. I took full advantage of the sunshine and walked around the city all afternoon with a friend studying abroad in Edinburgh. We saw Trinity College, Dublin Castle, the Spire of Dublin, and the many bridges in the center of the city.

Trinity College

                                          

Overlooking the O'Connell Bridge

By the night the pubs were making preparations for the next day...O'Connell's (the biggest tourist trap store you could ever imagine) was making its final sales...and some of the roads were beginning to be cleared for the next morning's parade.....The calm before the storm.

And a storm it was. 

We awoke at about 9:30 in the Temple Bar Hotel, literally in the heart of the city, to Irish music and cheers from the streets. We threw on our best St. Patty's Day gear and headed to the streets! By 11:00 the streets were flooded and literally all you could see in each direction was a sea of green. It was unbelievable. The parade came through around 12:30 and was very interesting. I didn't see very much of it, but from what I heard it was not typical Irish music and dance, but rather very modern and colorful, telling a story as it progressed.

parade!

I thought the leggings were a subtle touch

From the parade the scene shifted to the Temple Bar district, and I don't think there was a pub in the area not filled to the brim. Coincidentally we ended up spending most of our time at two bars that my brother had recommended to me before the trip...and I must say he led us well! I even tried my first (and maybe my last) Guinness. When in Ireland!. Many of the bars had live Irish music, singing and dancing; and the ones that didn't usually erupted in their own singing and dancing by the end of the day. I may or may not have even whipped out a few Irish jigs of my own...but I'll never tell. It was definitely a fun day had by all in attendance.



Green beer!



Now although St. Patrick's Day is a fun day to celebrate being Irish (or wishing you were Irish), we should remember the man behind the holiday.

Saint Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland by teaching about the Holy Trinity using the shamrock. He also is credited with driving all snakes out of Ireland.

All in all I had a great time in Dublin and cannot wait until the day I return to Ireland! I unfortunately did not get to see any of the countryside or coast, but that will definitely be the first stop on my next adventure to Europe.

((Speaking of St. Patrick's Day...shoutout to all of the McNally's and family reading this: I'm sad I missed the family party this year, but I heard it was a great one! Miss you all and see you this summer!!))

I'll leave you with a few of my favorite Irish sayings...

Now sweetly lies old Ireland
Emerald green beyond the foam,
Awakening sweet memories,
Calling the heart back home.
-Irish Proverb

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

-Irish Blessing

Like the shamrocks of Old Ireland may your joys grow all year through

 and Irish luck and laughter be a part of all you do.

-Irish Saying



 

Here’s to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!
-Irish Toast

Cheers!

 Kelly