Dublinwalk I

Have you flown Aer Lingus? They’re not charming or fun like, say, Hawaiian Air, but they’re cheap and efficient.

We arrived at the Waterloo Townhouse and Suites after a taxi ride to the Bainbridge ferry terminal, a sail to Seattle, a Lyft ride to SeaTac, a nine-hour flight, and an Uber ride to the guest house.

Thanks to the overnight flight and afternoon arrival, we were reasonably functional, so set out to explore our surroundings.

First up: Merrion Square Park, which offered the first opportunity for me to take a flower (I guess it’s a flower, maybe a thistle?) photo.

We weren’t ambling aimlessly, but heading to The Stag’s Head near Temple Bar.

We passed Molly Malone in front of the former St. Andrews church. Molly appears to have received the same kind of attention as some of the girls in my high school.

Also, Oscar Wilde doing something or other on a rock.

As we approached our target, it became clear that we had entered the Zone of Cute Shops and Pubs.

Finally, a chance to quaff our first Irish Guinness in eighteen years!

What to do after the first pint? Head to a different pub for dinner. We walked through St. Stephen’s Green, the site of the 1916 Easter Rising.

This exhibition, located throughout the Park, describes the remarkable role played by the Volunteer garrison of St Stephen’s Green during the Easter Rising of 1916, when Ireland was seeking independence from British rule. One of the most ferocious battles of the Rising took place here during Easter week, 24th – 30th April 1916.

Significant figures from Irish history, including Commandant Michael Mallin, Countess Markievicz and mbers of the Irish Citizen Army and Cumann na mBan played an important role in the Rising, here in St Stephen’s Green.

Over 100 Irish Citizen Army Volunteers occupied the Park, in the early hours of the Rising, as it was an important strategic location in the centre of Dublin with intersecting roads and a water supply. St Stephen’s Green Park was one of a number of occupied zones, others included the GPO and Boland’s Mill.

While the Rising was not a military success, a Free State was achieved in 1922.

Having travelled from home, quaffed Guinness, and walked about three miles, we were ready for a bite and bed.

Here’s a bit of “accidental street art” spotted on the way to Searson’s for dinner. It’s broken glass in a basement skylight that has turned various interesting colors.

Dinner was a treat. Surprise! This place had Guinness, too.