My Days in Dublin Part 1
It started with a bus journey into the City.
Retracing the scenes from my childhood
The building is so much brighter than I remember as a child. Where have all the queues gone? Perhaps they are all sitting on the internet!
Cards, but no Post cards?
It was back to the street
I selected some post cards
Bought the stamps
Then sent the cards on their merry way and headed back to the streets
I thought of Corky
Remembered the sounds of Moore Street and the Street traders. The shouts in my head of “Truppence (3 pence) each the oranges, or five for a shilling!” A Shilling was 12 old pennies.
I met a few ladies. This piece is called ‘Meeting Place’. Built in 1988 by Jakki McKenna, the statues capture a slice of everyday life in the city centre. Unlike other statues that are serious in nature, this particular statue is light-hearted as it celebrates the ordinary and mundane.
We crossed the Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian bridge across the River Liffey. In days of yore there was a toal of a Halfpenny to cross this bridge
The view from the halfpenny Bridge, looking towards O’Connell Bridge.
Into Temple Bar, a very lively spot these days with street musicians and ideal for people watching.
On through Temple Bar with it’s individual and unusual shops
To Wicklow street and a treat…
And this time I meet the man himself… I was anxious to catch up with Kieran once more.
Having guided me through the various flavours and knowing from the book how much cream and milk are involved, I chose a raspberry sorbet, my sister chose Rum and Raisin ice cream. We sat in the cool comfort of the shop to enjoy our little pleasures and rest our feet. Naturally I wanted a photo with a good looking Toyboy so Kieran posed with me next the wood lined wall. This is no ordinary wood - it came from an Amish Barn in Pennsylvania!
Now you have enough for one day. More to follow!
Rhyelysgranny said,
July 6, 2010 at 8:05 am
I enjoyed that little wander around Dublin. You have fallen for the ice cream man I see.
Love the colour of that sorbet.
Grannymar said,
July 6, 2010 at 9:04 am
RG - I first met Kieran in 2008 at the Irish Blog Awards. I have followed his blog since then.
Rummuser said,
July 6, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Dublin, here I come. That is of course provided the ROI will give me a visa. Do you think that it will help if I tell them while applying that Mayo plans to join me there and that you will be driving both of us around since Mayo cannot drive on the left side of the road, and I only ride scooters?
That answers my unasked question. What the real reason was for the prolonged stay in Dublin.
Nancy said,
July 6, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Very interesting,Grannymar….. I wondered where my barn went…..
nick said,
July 6, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I like the Meeting Place statue. As you say, a slice of everyday life. Very wise to avoid the full-dairy ice cream. Too many of those can be lethal.
wisewebwoman said,
July 6, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Lots of memories in those pics, GM - we lived in Dublin for a while before emigrating and I remember posting letters in the GPO to my mammy as they would get to her ‘faster’.
Nearly the speed of email come to think of it….LOL
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
July 6, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Ramana - Why would they refuse you a Visa?
Nancy - Was it your barn?
Nick - There are some interesting statues scattered about Dublin these days. It is a pity work like that is not there in place of the Spike!
WWW - If I had a penny for all the times I bought stamps or posted letters in the GPO…. It was only when writing this post I wondered about the dozen or so call boxes in to the right…. I wonder if any of them are still there?
Marian said,
July 6, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Hmmmm, Murphy’s Ice-Cream! I haven’t made it down to Dingle at all this year and the thing I miss the most is Murphy’s Ice Cream. Must rectify this ASAP.
Grannymar said,
July 6, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Marian - I hope you manage to travel to Dingle very soon. If not Dublin now has the same treat… twice over!
Mayo said,
July 7, 2010 at 12:50 am
Rummy, I will rent a scooter and you can drive. I hope you can drive with my wife, myself, and all of our luggage, plus Grannymar.
DUBLIN HERE WE COME!!!!!!!
Maria said,
July 7, 2010 at 5:05 am
What a wonderful tour and i must say, you look beautifully slim and viibrant.
Grannymar said,
July 7, 2010 at 8:00 am
Mayo - You will need a great big sidecar!
Maria - It was a fun but busy day. Despite all the changes in Dublin, we had a great trip down memory lane!
Rummuser said,
July 7, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Grannymar, I understand that the ROI are not issuing visas to Indians! I may be wrong and they well intend to do that to the duplicate ones who are red, but it will be worth checking out.
Grannymar said,
July 7, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Ramana - I am looking for details but they are hard to come by!
Darlene said,
July 7, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Now I see how you remain so trim; you have willpower. I would have had ice cream as you can tell from my photos. I am like the wag (Was it Monte Wooley? No that’s not right. His name is on the tip of my tongue, but my brain hasn’t furnished the answer) who said everything I like is either illegal, immoral of fattening.
Baino said,
July 7, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Oh I love these city walks. Feels just like being there. One day . . .I’m half hoping we have a wet spell in France and I have an excuse to trip over to Ireland. Did you send me a postcard? No? Shame on you!
Alice said,
July 8, 2010 at 12:11 am
You look great! And I couldn’t help noticing that you have women with pink hair (3rd photo from last) in Ireland too.
gaelikaa said,
July 8, 2010 at 5:23 am
@ Rummuser
You should do what my husband did! Marry an Irish woman and your visa is assured!
You could also ask Elly & George (as they live in the Republic) to write you an invitation letter telling you that they will be financially responsible for you. That usually works.
gaelikaa said,
July 8, 2010 at 5:24 am
Grannymar - That post is wonderful. I’m getting homesick again but this sort of post keeps me going…
Grannymar said,
July 8, 2010 at 8:46 am
Darlene - Alexander Woollcott is the guy you were thinking of. I prefer mammy’s phrase ‘A little of what you fancy, does you good’! I would love to be able to eat ice cream all day long, but the ‘dairy products’ don’t agree with me.
Baino - You never know, Dublin might just work into the plans for you.
Alice - That was exactly the reason for that photo!
Gaelikaa - I’m glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane!
Kieran said,
July 16, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Toyboy, eh? I feel so young and sprightly!
Lovely post, and I thank you for your kind words.
Grannymar said,
July 16, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Kieran - It was great to meet you again. I have followed your blog for some time now and wanted to taste the salt ice cream! I look forward to my next sorbet.