Wow. What a terrific read. I love the burnished breasts, the rented pineapples, the “just a Bible” Book of Kells, Lydia Joyce, but most of all, the deer. I can see it as a nocturnal creature of revenge - Lydia’s ghost? - roaming the streets of Dublin. Thank you, Mr. Troy Ford.
Thank you Mary! Yes the deer pretty much made the whole Trinity College tour; being a nocturnal creature myself, everything looks better by moon/starlight... 💜🎩🐈⬛👻
I'll have to check him out, he was a good friend of Joyce's I think, and was one of the first four to celebrate Blooms Day according to that book I was reading, Multiple Joyce. Thanks Jeffrey!
Agree, with Nathan. It's wonderful to travel with you vicariously since I can't travel much these days. I have found memories of being in Ireland. My son, Ian studied abroad in Limerick during his last year of college. It's such a lovely place, so rich with history. I wanted more than a week to see it all.
I love the whole concept of extending a trip. It feels so free!! It shows the love for discovery. It sounds like a wonderful trip and is inspiration to go back myself one day soon.
I know, I was completely enthralled by the idea of The Pineapple Leasing Co.; also by the possibility of drunken guests tucking in to the decorations and unwittingly ruining their host. ALSO: Is this the reason pineapples are symbols of hospitality???! Thanks Michael!
Very, very good to know that that's going on at the Old Library, I'd fully be planning a hop over for the Book of Kells but would have been gutted to see it like that (I mean, Gaia is cool and all, but...). Glendalough looks like a dream, though. And, no hobbits or gold THAT YOU SAW...👀💜
BoK is on the ground floor, downstairs from the Long Room - they've made a whole exhibit with graphics and so forth, but the book itself is just sitting in a case by itself and if you're unlucky enough to arrive when it's turned to a "text heavy" page like us - well, let's just say it ain't no crown jewels. 💎
But really...the Gaia art? I'm all for Gaia but it just doesn't seem right in that location. Hopefully it was better in real life. I'm with you on that amazing deer skeleton!
In person, it was actually kinda cool, mainly by virtue of its size, but yes the real star was the deer!!! Leo got that picture - extinct for 12,000 years, found in a bog. :)
Apparently she supposedly had affairs with Samuel Beckett and Alexander Calder, and studied with Isadora Duncan's brother. What a life! Until her father stomped on it...! Thx D!
Next time. Come to a small Irish coastal village within walking distance of a beach, nice hotel, restaurants, and pubs. You can take local sporadic buses to a few sightseeing things but mostly enjoy Irish chat and craic. Life here is all about the calm pace and friendly banter. The trains here are not available everywhere and Dublin city is fine but expensive. Come off peak season too. (As good weather here is never guaranteed.) Look at counties along Wild Atlantic Way. ;) Donegal top of country. Cork bottom. Loved reading your experiences though x
Although I've spent a lot of time in Ireland, driving around, mostly in my own car, one with the steering wheel on the left side - which is not as weird and disturbing as you may think (on the other hand driving a local rental freaked me to no end!), I've only spent a day (Trinity College) and an evening (going to a play) in Dublin. After reading your post, I'm not sure I need to go back, lol.
haha It's definitely less of an Ooo/Ahh kind of town, more of a "How interesting" vibe. The pitched battle out in the street among a family of les miserables was eye-opening, I believe we saw a baby with a cigar in his mouth... ;)
Welcome back, dear! I hope all in all your trip was swell. I certainly felt transported through your words and the images.
I'm glad - we had a lovely time, thank you! 💙💙💙
So happy to hear! :-*
Wow. What a terrific read. I love the burnished breasts, the rented pineapples, the “just a Bible” Book of Kells, Lydia Joyce, but most of all, the deer. I can see it as a nocturnal creature of revenge - Lydia’s ghost? - roaming the streets of Dublin. Thank you, Mr. Troy Ford.
Thank you Mary! Yes the deer pretty much made the whole Trinity College tour; being a nocturnal creature myself, everything looks better by moon/starlight... 💜🎩🐈⬛👻
Forgot the Butter Museum. I will remember to never churn the butter with my dominant hand.
Non-dominant hand. Doesn’t matter. I’ve only made butter when I over-whipped the cream.
I really enjoyed this, Troy. Your mention of trains in Ireland reminded me that trains had a special place in the work of another great Irish writer, Flann O'Brien: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/going-loco-frank-mcnally-on-flann-o-brien-and-the-inchicore-railway-works-1.4875806. He's one of the funniest writers I've ever read.
Thank you for sharing this, Jeffrey! More books for my groaning TBR shelf.
I'll have to check him out, he was a good friend of Joyce's I think, and was one of the first four to celebrate Blooms Day according to that book I was reading, Multiple Joyce. Thanks Jeffrey!
Agree, with Nathan. It's wonderful to travel with you vicariously since I can't travel much these days. I have found memories of being in Ireland. My son, Ian studied abroad in Limerick during his last year of college. It's such a lovely place, so rich with history. I wanted more than a week to see it all.
Lovely read, Troy, plus I learnt various things I didn't know here. A vicarious trip to Dublin and beyond.
Glendalough looks absolutely stunning!
Alas, I have never read any Joyce. I would like to rectify that one day.
Yes Glendalough might have been the highlight for me, although Howth Head was also pretty stunning - I'm a sucker for scenery :) Thanks Nathan!
I love the whole concept of extending a trip. It feels so free!! It shows the love for discovery. It sounds like a wonderful trip and is inspiration to go back myself one day soon.
PS we must link back to this in a couple weeks 👀
Yes! And next week I’ve got “Dubliners” on my Currently Reading list, and giving a little pre-notice about your upcoming post :)
🤗
Firstly, this was too good — “not that The Butter Museum doesn’t have a special allure”
Secondly, the hand polished statue just says so much about the world in a rather uncomfortable yet humorous way.
Thirdly, — rented pineapples! Omg that’s so interesting!
And finally, fun, witty, and highly enjoyable writing, Troy :)
I know, I was completely enthralled by the idea of The Pineapple Leasing Co.; also by the possibility of drunken guests tucking in to the decorations and unwittingly ruining their host. ALSO: Is this the reason pineapples are symbols of hospitality???! Thanks Michael!
Hahah I know, right! It’s all very fascinating :)
Fabulous! I’ve only been in the airport but it’s definitely on my list. Joyce’s daughter looks like a rare spirit. 😢
A picture still says a thousand words, I fell in love with Lucia instantly seeing her dance in her mermaid costume. Thanks Julie!
Very, very good to know that that's going on at the Old Library, I'd fully be planning a hop over for the Book of Kells but would have been gutted to see it like that (I mean, Gaia is cool and all, but...). Glendalough looks like a dream, though. And, no hobbits or gold THAT YOU SAW...👀💜
BoK is on the ground floor, downstairs from the Long Room - they've made a whole exhibit with graphics and so forth, but the book itself is just sitting in a case by itself and if you're unlucky enough to arrive when it's turned to a "text heavy" page like us - well, let's just say it ain't no crown jewels. 💎
Lovely piece. My husband and I were in Ireland for two weeks in the fall of 2019 and loved it. All those beefy redheads were such eyecandy...😉
Yeah they def have a few of those 👁️🍭 Thanks DC!
Oh my. That statue of poor Molly is something.
haha Yes - a "handsome" woman... ;)
This was awesome to read! I have not been to Ireland yet and loved seeing it through your eyes. Thanks for adding all the great photos as well.
But really...the Gaia art? I'm all for Gaia but it just doesn't seem right in that location. Hopefully it was better in real life. I'm with you on that amazing deer skeleton!
In person, it was actually kinda cool, mainly by virtue of its size, but yes the real star was the deer!!! Leo got that picture - extinct for 12,000 years, found in a bog. :)
Love this write up Troy!
Thanks Sky!
Loved reading this Troy, and all the photos! I want to know more about Joyce's daughter. She's beautiful.
Apparently she supposedly had affairs with Samuel Beckett and Alexander Calder, and studied with Isadora Duncan's brother. What a life! Until her father stomped on it...! Thx D!
wow and I never heard of her!
Next time. Come to a small Irish coastal village within walking distance of a beach, nice hotel, restaurants, and pubs. You can take local sporadic buses to a few sightseeing things but mostly enjoy Irish chat and craic. Life here is all about the calm pace and friendly banter. The trains here are not available everywhere and Dublin city is fine but expensive. Come off peak season too. (As good weather here is never guaranteed.) Look at counties along Wild Atlantic Way. ;) Donegal top of country. Cork bottom. Loved reading your experiences though x
Next time! Our bus driver told us all about craic, especially to be careful about saying it in airports and around police. ;)
Haaa Dublin bus drivers are a hoot.
Although I've spent a lot of time in Ireland, driving around, mostly in my own car, one with the steering wheel on the left side - which is not as weird and disturbing as you may think (on the other hand driving a local rental freaked me to no end!), I've only spent a day (Trinity College) and an evening (going to a play) in Dublin. After reading your post, I'm not sure I need to go back, lol.
haha It's definitely less of an Ooo/Ahh kind of town, more of a "How interesting" vibe. The pitched battle out in the street among a family of les miserables was eye-opening, I believe we saw a baby with a cigar in his mouth... ;)