Out & About in Dublin



 “In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She was a fishmonger and sure it was no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She died of a fever and no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
Now her ghost wheels her barrow through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!”
~Molly Malone


Ha'Penny Bridge
I just took to the streets of Dublin for a day of getting lost & wandering. I set out with a few intentions & I did accomplish them. Considering how early I set out not much was open. I found my way taking a stroll over Ha’Penny Bridge & saw a wee bit of Temple Bar. I saw the famous Molly Malone & the O’Connell Monument to name a few of the many statues I stumbled upon. I ended up at Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells. I must admit that it was quite impressive. I loved the smell of old books in the Old Library. Originally Trinity College was only for Protestants but I think around the 1970’s it started to accept Catholics as well. The grounds are impressive; it’s worth a wander. Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest college & it’s home to the Book of Kells (Leabhar Cheanannais). As Ireland’s Number 2 Tourist Attraction, The Book of Kells & Old Library  Exhibition should not be missed. Just word to the wise you are not allowed to photograph inside of it. This is the home of the famous illuminated manuscript Gospel Book in Latin that contains the Four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts & tables. Celtic monks back around 800 or earlier created the famous book. The Gospels text is largely drawn from the Vulgate with several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. The books are a masterwork of Western calligraphy that represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It’s regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure. I found my way over to The Farm for an excellent  meal. I had the fish pie with a Belgium gluten free beer. I was in heaven with the charm to this place & the farm to table philosophy.  The Celtic Whiskey Shop is a great little treasure. They will even ship you your purchases as well. I wandered around St Stephen’s Green & had a chat with a local on who Wolfe Tone was. The local was surprised that I even knew who he was; the Irish history course has come in handy. I got lost finding my way over to St. Patrick's Cathedral , it’s amazing to check out. I highly suggest seeing it the inside was lovely. Overall it has been a lovely day exploring Dublin by foot. There’s so much to see that I didn’t get a chance to see it all, but did the best that I could do. I really don’t want to be getting onto the plane tomorrow. I feel deep in love with Ireland on many levels. I’m grateful to have finally meant family & an old friend. There’s so much beauty here. Every where you turn is just magical.


Molly Malone


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