My trip to Ireland may have been short and centered around Dublin, but I saw and did an amazing amount of great stuff in three days.
Dublin itself was a vibrant and compelling city with a fantastic vibe. I could've spent days exploring the museums and historic sites, along with eating my way through the restaurants and hanging out in the shops. It was, however, expensive, but this view over the River Liffey, running through the city centre was, thankfully, free.
Of course, what would Ireland be without green hills, in this case manmade green hills at the ancient mound of Knowth (near Newgrange).
Strangely enough, in all of the talk about Ireland's verdant hills and meadows, etc., I never really thought about it being an island, and therefore surrounded with lovely places to watch the ever-gorgeous sunsets, like on this beach in Skerries, where my companions and I waded out amongst the seaweed and rocks at low tide, getting just a little wet but thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
Back in Dublin, we toured Dublin Castle, long the seat of England's government in Ireland and, since the 1920s, the center of the Republic of Ireland. This drawing room, complete with screens to keep the fires' smoke from melting off fashionable ladies' elaborate wax and lead make-up, gives a window into an elegant era--for those lucky enough to be invited within, of course.
Of course we had to take a stroll past St. Patrick's Cathedral, but decided not to go in due to the admission fee. (I very much sympathize with those working to keep the old churches going with not enough funding, but something within me just rebelled at paying money to enter a place of prayer). However, the gardens were lovely and just bursting into springtime garb.
On our final day, we four drove to the mountains south of Dublin, where we did pay the €5 fee to explore Powerscourt Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Ireland. It was worth it, I decided, gazing mesmerized for long moments into the falls.
Meanwhile, "me mate" Ruth stood happily in the spray.
Overall, the combination of ancient and medieval history, natural beauty and exciting city exploration was a perfect way to see Ireland on this, my first of (I hope) many visits.
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