Avoca

We put on sunscreen and bathing suits and headed to the beach only to turn

around and go right back in after 30 minutes on the cold, windy Wexford shore. I guess an Irish beach vacation was a bit too much to hope for. So instead, we filled our vacation with little daytrips in the countryside. I said, "Avoca" and Aonghus said, "Let's go".

'Nuff said.

Happy Birthday to Me

For my 30th birthday Aonghus got me my very own copy of Ulysses and took me out to Sandycove, where we (okay, I) nerded out at the James Joyce museum. The museum is housed in the Martello tower briefly inhabited by Joyce and used as the setting for the opening scene of Ulysses. It was a gorgeous day, so had to make our way through a mass of sunburnt Dubliners piled onto the tiny strip of beach at Sandycove, savoring the only bit of sun they might see for the rest of the year. We had a nice meal at a fancy restaurant and took the train back. It wasn't Paris, but it was perfect.

Americans in Dublin part 2

Bray was so nice/easy to get to that I decided to take Nasia, another visiting American, later that same week. This time we climbed Bray Head and Nasia fell in love with Irish clouds.

Americans in Dublin part 1

Trish and Jeff stopped into Dublin on their whirlwind tour of the British Isles. Trish needed the sea, so we took the train out to Bray despite the rain. By the time we got there, the sun had come out and we had a lovely afternoon. And then, of course, by the time we returned to City Centre, the rain was back. Oh, Dublin.

Wolfe Tone part1

"Shall we be content to remain in our present oppressed and inglorious state, unknown and unheard of in Europe, the prey of England, the laughing stock of the knaves who plunder us? Or shall we temperately and constitutionally exert our power to procure a complete and radical emancipation to our country by a reform in the representation of the people?"
From An Argument on the Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland, August 1791

Sushi Party--Dublin Style

I went to Eleanor's to help her make sushi for her flatmate's birthday party. It took us a lot longer than expected, but it was worth it. Best sushi in Dublin! Oishikatta, ne! The fancy dress party was class, too. Thanks to Eleanor for being an outstanding hostess (not in the Japanese since of the word) and for the use of some of her photos.