Depending on where you stand, UK and Ireland have a love/hate relationship. Ok, I know that sounded lame, but what I'm trying to say, is the two countries have a complicated history. UK and Ireland used to be one single country until the Easter Uprising in 1916. This led to Ireland officially becoming a republican country in 1949. Despite that, Ireland still remains Britain's closest relative, so close that we don't need a passport to visit each other's country, and the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (who are part of Great Britain) have a joint Ireland team for international rugby and cricket tournaments. In 2010, I decided to visit our cousin at their capital, Dublin.
Dublin Castle
Back in those days, overseas weekend breaks were a frequent event for us both in terms of flexibility (Covid didn't appear until a whole decade later) and finance (not a big issue in the good old days even without crypto). Nowadays, even a trip to another city is a pretty big deal and eats into a big chunk of my expense!!!
This was our first visit to Dublin, and in my typical wing it fashion, I had not done any research on where to go. Most of the time was spent wandering around the 'touristy' locations. First up was Dublin Castle which was in the the city center. I don't have much recollecton of the visit as it was such a long time ago. Even now looking back at the photos, memories are rather vague. One thing I did remember, it was next to Trinity College, Ireland's oldest universtiy. I heard Trinity Collect was very beautiful but somehow I didn't make it on campus. Again, can't remember why.
General Post Office
The General Post Office was a different story. I clearly remember coming here and why. For starters, this is probably the most iconic building in Dublin, if not Ireland. Built in 1818 in a Greek revival style, the outside has a stunning portico supported by six Ionic columns. Today, it is still used as a post office, as well as a museum and cafe. I went inside the post office area, and still remember I was in awe of the decor. Too bad I didn't take any photos inside, I never thought I'd be posting about it a decade later. The other reason for coming here, was due to its historical significance.
If you remember earlier on I mentioned the Easter Unrising in 1916 which eventually led to Ireland's independence. On 24 April that year, the Irish republicans read out the Proclaimation of the Republic outside the General Post Office, declaring Ireland to become independent from UK. They seized the building making it their headquarters for the uprising movement until the British ended it by martial law a week later. Once there is a crack in the mirror, it can never be repaired, no matter how hard you try. But that doesn't mean the broken pieces can't still coexist, albeit in a different form.
Those who fought for the Irish independence are commemorated at the Garden of Remembrance. If you notice, the pool is designed in the shape of a cross, and at the top of the stairs is a sculpture called Children of Lir which signifies transformation and resurrection. A very fitting design to remember the changes that the country has gone through.
Storehouse and Jameson
Now to something less sombre.
No visit to Dublin will be complete without a drink or two, and where best to go than to see the black stuff being made. Even if you're not a beer drinking like me, I think the Guiness Storehouse a must for visitors.
If you have ever visited any type of beer/wine/whisky making facilities during your travels, you've probably noticed the manufacturing process are all pretty much the same. They show you the raw ingredients, that goes in a big container and cooked with water, then it sits there for fermentation, for whisky there's a distillation stage, and then it goes in the massive barrel to age, except for beer it gets bottled immediately. What makes these tours stand out, is how they present their heritage and ethos to the public. That's my favourite part, understanding more about what's behind a label. And of course, there's the tasting part, that's always interesting, even if I don't drink.
We also went to the Jameson Whiskey Distillers. Notice in Ireland they spell whiskey with an E like America, whilst Scotland spells whisky without an E. The tour at Jameson was on a much smaller scale compared to Guinness. But then you really can't compare the two, they're on two different scales. At Jameson, we were served a series of different mixes as our free taster. And hubby paid extra for a proper tasting session. Back in those days (2010) as tasting session cost €17.50 for 3 whiskeys, I just checked, now it cost €30 for 4 whiskeys!!!!
Times definitely changes a lot of things!!!
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I heard from some other expats here that Dublin is a cool city to visit. It look pretty cool. The Guiness and Whiskey tours would be fun. The history of the post office is interesting as well and the pool in the Garden of Rememberance looks really nice.
I actually want to go back to Ireland and visit the south, I hear it's very beautiful there as well.
Yeah I heard that as well. My wife was there when she was younger and really liked it.
A wonderful tour of Dublin such an interesting city I to generally ring it when I visit places
And no trip there is complete without visiting the Guinness place
I guess it's like going to New York and not seeing the Statue of Liberty, or London and not seeing Buckingham Palace.
Yes I think those are good comparisons
Always fantasized visiting Dublin, from images I see Online I can tell that it’s a great place.
Nice pictures by the way, can’t believe they were taken in 2010, I wonder what camera you took these pictures with
I was actually using a proper Nikon DSLR back in those days as I had just taken up photography as a hobby, but of course, since then everyone is a photographer with their mobile phone nowadays
I just love the Dublin Castle and the post office too looks great. Even ten years ago you have taken very nice pictures. 😊 thank you!
Thanks for your kind words!!!
The architecture here is impressive. You still have these photos to this day is a precious thing.
Actually I have some that are even older, but in those early days I always took photos of myself when on holiday, now I think taking photos of the places is much more important
Wow 10 years, I'm sure so many things have changed. But these buildings stand still 🙂.
10 years is a long time, so much has changed for human, but yes, those buildings are still there and don't change much which is good, helps to preserve history
Yeah, it really could teach us a lot about history. 😄
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@livinguktaiwan Indeed - UK and Ireland do have a complicated relationship 😀
Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures of Dublin castle. I love seeing old castles. The cobbled stone courtyard and the lovely manicured lawns add to the beauty.
Visit to Guinness is a bonus. Though I do not drink much beer, it is a great factory with a history - therefore, it was nice to see it through your post. Thanks
Cheers
I don't drink either, but I always enjoy the drinking sessions when I go on these tours, it's nice to see how the product is actually made and to learn more about the brand especially since it is synonymous with Ireland
@livinguktaiwan Yes I agree. I distinctly remember visiting a brewery in Canada that was called Steam-whistle and was set up in an old railroad Steam locomotive workshop. It was great to see the brewing process in that historic setting. Thanks for refreshing those lovely memories for me.
I still haven't been to the guiness tour. I really must do it some day.
I guess that's quite typical for a local isn't? You never visit the 'touristy' place unless you have visitors. But honestly, I think it's worth going
I have heard its great, and locals love it, just for some reason i haven't made it. My work even had a Christmas party on the bar one year but i didn't make it. Based on what i have heard i would highly recommend it.
A very beautiful place 🙌
It is in deed!!
Ireland is a perfect example of why political boundaries are often completely arbitrary. It's a shame such a beautiful country with magnificent people has suffered a difficult past.
The photos are great! It really does make me want to visit. I love Guinness and would love to have the opportunity to get a 'proper' one.
Ireland's border has become a massive issue after Brexit. After Ireland became independent and the subsequent conflicts leading to lots of lives lost, it was agreed not to have a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but now this has caused problems again post Brexit. Tricky situation.
Thanks for sharing this with us 👍
You're welcome, thanks for dropping by
Great tour of the place. You didn't change much from 2010. You look just the same then and now 😊
A brother of mine lives in Ireland too. In Belfast. He's been cajoling us to come visit him. But as you said it quite correctly, any trip now eats into a big chunk of the expense. Perhaps when the old normal returns and the Hive moons I might be able to visit him. Something to look forward to. But I think Dublin has more historical places than Belfast.
😀ha ha!! I made sure to choose the correct images!!
Your daughter lives in Germany, right? Maybe you can do one big trip to Europe and UK some time.
I haven't been to Belfast before, in fact I haven't been to Northern Ireland before, I'd like to go to the Giant Causeway, that is very beautiful.
10 years can pass so fast, I still wonder how I got from 20 to 30 hahaha.
The pool in the form of a cross definetely looked interesting. The greek style of the building also looked pretty fancy.
I used to like dark black beer when I was in University, now I think that months can pass without me feeling the need for one. Time change and so do people
I have been to Dublin a year later, but I don't recollect the Post Office building. Would have loved to go inside! Irish people are very proud of their history, I have noticed they don't want you just to wander on your own, they rather offer you a guide, tell a story. Did you get that feeling?
Such beautiful places on Earth. thanks for sharing!
Edinburgh whiskey
Dublin Guinness
i see a theme developing here !!
🤣 😂
What beautiful place. The university was beautiful. The best part for me was the post office and that you remembered going and why and the story of the uprising. Thanks for sharing your trip to Ireland!
Definitely pop over some time, makes a difference from sunny Thailand!!!