Wandering the Rainy Streets of Dublin
Why Visit Dublin
- The charming, gregarious people
- Rich history
- Lively street life
- Beautiful architecture
- Cheap flights from U.S. and Europe
Arrival in Dublin
We arrived in Dublin from Barcelona after our Disney TransAtlantic Cruise. It cost less for us to stop over in Dublin than to fly directly back to the U.S. The tickets were dirt cheap. We chose to take advantage of it and spend a couple of days exploring.
After checking into the Croke Park Hotel, we hired a cab driver to take us on a tour. He was delightful, funny, and knowledgable. Somehow, I forgot my camera! That was okay, though. I would revisit most of the spots during my morning run. All of the Dublin photos come from this soggy jog.
The Rainy Streets of Dublin
I mapped out a nice long run the night before. A light rain fell as I headed out at daylight. The cool morning with gray skies and drizzle created the image of Dublin that I had imagined. The streets were deserted. A few people trudged to their jobs, and a couple of other runners waved as we passed.
I found wandering the streets of Dublin to be exceptionally easy. Most major sites lie relatively close to each other. More importantly, road signs point the direction. It would be very hard to get lost. I carried a soggy map with me, but did not have to use it.
Every city possesses its own unique feel. Central London exudes old, imperial wealth and a regal sense with Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Barcelona feels lively and creative with Guadi’s unique architecture, Las Ramblas, and the Placa de Catalonia.
Dublin feels more gritty and down to earth. While Trinity College, St. Patrick’s , and Christ Church Cathedral harken back to its medieval past, much more spotlights the last 200 years of pain, struggle and finally freedom. The people display a quick, self-deprecating humor, always accompanying a smile, that is contagious.
The morning rain did not dampen the experience. I actually would have been a little disappointed to have no rain while in Dublin. The Potato Famine Monument and The Garden of Remembrance especially packed a more emotional punch in this setting.
The gaunt figures of the Famine Monument commemorate the one million Irish who perished and the one million who emigrated from Ireland during the famine. The Garden of Remembrance honors those who died for Irish liberty in the early 1900s.
The grey skies shrouded the grey stone of Trinity College, St. Patrick’s, and Christ Church. To me, it made them all quite lovely.
The foliage St. Stephen’s Green and Iveagh Gardens glistened in the moisture. Temple Bar was quite and peaceful, unlike during our taxi ride the night prior.
The friendliness and humor of Dubliners impressed me more than anything. Everyone with whom we spoke shared a smile and a distinct humor. What many of us would call dreary, did not seem to affect them. Their joy was infectious.
Tips
Cheap flights into Dublin from both the U.S. and Europe make Dublin an easy, inexpensive travel destination. We chose to stay just outside of central Dublin at the Croke Park Hotel. It cost much less, was an wonderful stay with excellent service, and saved us a lot of money.
Our tour was helpful to see more distant sites and to get oriented. We saw the deer at Phoenix Park, the Guiness Storehouse, and the Kilmainham Gaol. To just explore the historic center, it was really not necessary.
Dublin serves as a great base for exploring Ireland. Our day trip with DoDublin to Glendalough and Powerscourt gave a great introduction to rural Ireland.
Get out early to wander to the rainy streets of Dublin. You will see uncluttered sites and have free roam.
Embrace the weather! As I heard said of Ireland, “there is no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”
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