Discovering Dublin

I pried my eyes open to feel the warmth of the rising sunrays streaming in through the sides of my shade. It was an early start to the day, but I knew today held an adventure in its grasps. Today, the Saint Mary’s girls were required to go into Dublin to visit three heritage sights of our choosing, without a tour guide. With a week of classes and a few guided tours behind us, it was time for us to plan our own trip in the city. Anticipation fluttering in my stomach, I got myself ready for the trip to Dublin. Once ready, I met up outside with a whole host of smicks, including my lovely roommate, Kathleen, and we were off towards the bus stop in town. As luck would have it, no sooner had we arrived at the bus stop, which is almost a mile away from my apartment, I realized that I had left my heritage card that permits me to go into the heritage sites for free in my room. I checked the time, 10:08, meaning I had twenty-two minutes to run back to my apartment, grab my card, and make it back before the bus arrived. Challenge accepted. I quickly told Kathleen my dilemma, and being the incredible friend that she is, she risked her missing the bus as well to accompany me back to the apartment. We ran down the cobble-stoned road, then Kathleen, realizing that my asthma was acting up in the frigid, damp fog that had settled upon the sleepy town, shouted to me that she would run ahead as I kept my lungs under control.  Kathleen managed to get far enough ahead of me that I couldn’t make out her tall figure through the dense fog, which only worried my panicked mind even more. Did I just put my friend in danger’s clutches? What if someone took advantage of the thick fog and kidnapped her? By the time I jogged up to the apartment I was trembling in a nervous sweat and breathing heavily; however I saw Kathleen descending the stairs with my heritage card in her hand. I thanked her over and over again as we made our way back to the bus stop, praying repeatedly that my forgetfulness did not cause us to have to wait another hour for the next bus. Thankfully, as Kathleen rounded the corner of the main street she smiled excitedly because the bus had not arrived. The bus showed up minutes after we returned from our foggy adventure and we boarded the bus.

On the bus safely

             The bus was a skinny blue and yellow double decker. We sat on the top hoping to get the best views of the Irish landscape, waiting for the last stop in Dublin, Merrion Square. I stepped off the bus with confidence that I could navigate our group to the first heritage site, St. Stephen’s Green. With only a few directional mishaps, we made it inside the garden. We strolled through the sunlit paths, trying to warm up our chilled bones, observing the fountains, duck ponds, and the many birds that fluttered around the park. After our stroll, Kat was freezing so we made our way into a shopping centre. One of the shops was a large Irish gift shop, so we of course rummaged through the aisles, finding all of the Irish knickknacks and souvenirs. Knowing that we had two more heritage sites to see, we left the warmth of the store and on our way to the next site, Iveagh Gardens.

Shadows at a duck pond

Entry way to St, Stephan's Green

            These gardens were located in a tucked away corner of Dublin. Although the dried ivy and the large fountains were magnificent, their true splendor would have shown better in the warmer days of spring. We still meandered our way through the park, admiring the landscaping until our stomachs rumbled, calling us for lunch. Decidedly hungry, we made our way down the infamous Grafton Street to find some place to eat. Walking into a pub, who do we find? No other than another group of smicks, so we sat to grab a bite of chicken tenders with our fellow school girls.

Does someone live here or can it be me?

Iveagh Gardens

So candid Kath

            After a refreshing meal I single handedly navigated our group to Dublin Castle. Walking through the cobblestone streets of Dublin, lined with chic boutiques and quirky cafes, I knew I had to return to the city to go inside all of the shops. Once inside the grounds of Dublin Castle, we asked to go on a tour, and were personally escorted to the tour that had just begun. Finally a part of the official tour, we walked through the castle with the tour guide pointing out the functionality of the different parts of the castle and the State Department. The State Department was ornately decorated with large portraits of prominent Irish and English dukes to queens, and each room had a historical story to share. Astounded by the amount of historical events that took place within those walls, I was made speechless throughout most of the tour.

The courtyard of Dublin Castle.

"Have fun storming the castle!"

The tower wall that has survived since the 12th century

Would a State Department tour really been complete without a mirror selfie?

            Such pretty chandeliers.

            At the conclusion of the tour, we decided to do some shopping. There is a store chain in Ireland called Penney’s that sells clothes and accessories super cheaply, so of course we college students had to take the opportunity to find some bargains. We ventured across the River Liffey that divides Dublin into North and South quadrants in search of Penney’s. As we stepped foot in the store we were blown away by the mass volumes of clothes and their inexpensive price tags. Kathleen immediately managed to find a sweatshirt and some cute shoes for a total of €11! I honestly was too overwhelmed and did not desperately need any new clothes, so I did not end up buying anything. Having walked so far, and learned so much we were ready to leave Dublin and return home. Unsure exactly where the bus stopped to pick us up, we wandered down O’Connell Street and across the bridge as the sky darkened until we found a sign that stated the bus would arrive in 45 minutes. Thankfully there was a Starbucks right there, so we went in and ordered a cup of coffee to warm up our chilled bones while we waited for the bus. With only fifteen minutes till departure we walked back outside, looked up at the same automated sign to see that our bus, number 66, had disappeared. Confused and anxious, we knew that the bus could not have arrived this early and we missed it. We debated waiting around or finding another bus stop, and  eventually decided to wait in a nearby gift shop, and as we entered the shop, I looked back up at the sign and saw the 66 bus back up and arriving in seven minutes. Relieved, I called to my group of friends and we stayed outside until the double decker pulled up to the curb. I deposited the correct change in the ticket stall and took my seat on the full bus next to a stranger, behind my friends. As the bus made its way out of the city and back to Maynooth, I was happy about this adventure in Dublin.

Crossing the river.

Warm cup of coffee, so necessary after a long day.