Trinity College (1) - Careers Week

Trinity College - the four-hundred -year-old university of Dublin - it's one of the most known and respected universities of the world.

As we can find out on university site - www.tcd.ie - its aim is " to provide a liberal environment where independence of thought is highly valued and where staff and students are nurtured as individuals and are encouraged to achieve their full potential ".

Students help Trinity adapt to modern times - when I visited it, they were participating in Careers Week.

Clery's

Let me present you Dublin's most famous department store: Clery's.
For some quality shopping, you must definitely visit it - it's located on O'Connell Street, next to Dublin's Spire (more about it in my future posts).
Till your next visit to Ireland, you can access their website www.clerys.com.

Irish Humour (1)

No comment.

St Patrick's Cathedral (1) - Mosaic

Those who visit St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin can admire the extremly beautiful mosaic.

Dublin Castle (1)

Dublin Castle is situated in the historic part of the city. By 930's it was a Danish Viking fortress and in 1204 was fortified at King John of England's order.
The castle itself it's not very spectacular, but it's interesting to visit .
Nowadays it has conference and tourist facilities; so, if you have an event to prepare, this could be a suitable location.

More about the castle on www.dublincastle.ie.

Swords (1)

I've told you that during my stay in Ireland I attended an English course in Swords - another very nice little town ( or village ?!), 15-20 minutes far from Malahide and around 40 minutes distance from Dublin.

This is a photo from the center - on both sides of the street you can find little shops and cafes.

If you want to drink your coffee, accompanied by a very tasty scone with butter and jam , read a newspaper or just chat in a friendly environment, try The Cottage (in the picture, it's entrance door it's right behind the tree) .

Malahide (1)

During my stay in Ireland I attended an English Course at ICE Ireland in Swords and I was hosted by a very nice and friendly family in Malahide, county Dublin (we can call it a Dublin suburb).

I love this little town Malahide - it lies on the sea shore (Ireland Sea) and is rather close to Dublin (around 40 minutes by bus) and to the airport (15-20 minutes by taxi)..

This is a picture of the port ( they call it Marina) and the yachts - I forgot to tell you that life standard is high in Malahide.

But if you want to relax and feel the summer breeze, I strongly recommend to visit it or rent an apartment or a house for holiday.

St Stephen's Green (1) - A Walk

I've admired this autumn scenery in St Stephen's Green - a beautiful public park in the center of Dublin, close to very well known shopping area of Grafton Street.

O'Connell Bridge

Daniel O'Connell is very respected in Ireland - this is Carlisle bridge, built 1794, the Dublin bridge that was renamed after him by the Municipality, in 1880.

Dublin Doors (1)

I've heard different stories, more or less accurate about Dublin Doors.

Some say that when Ireland was still under British "supervision" and the Queen died ( Queen Victoria or Elizabeth I ) the Dubliners were ordered to colour the doors of their houses in black to mourn.

As a sign of rebellion against the British, they coloured them in the most diverse and bright colours.

Other people say that the doors were painted by Irish wives, so that their husbands couldn't miss the entrance of their own house.

Whatever the historic truth, they belong to Irish Landmarks.

The Leprechaun

Wikipedia says about him: in Irish mythology a leprechaun is a type of male faerie said to inhabit the island of Ireland.

This is the one I met in the center of Dublin.

Old Dublin (1)

All over Dublin one can notice the care for preserving old beautiful buildings, which borrowed their bright colours from the cheerful and optimistic Dubliners.

The Painting

For Lo - who was so impressed - this is how the whole painting was looking.

The Painter

A special kind of painting - made in the streets of Dublin - "growing" under our eyes.

Horse & Carriage

One very surprising image in Dublin streets.

Irish Green

Green ( with its varoius tones) is a predominant colour in Dublin. And so are old buildings with red brick walls. My favourites.

Carolls Irish Gifts

At the end of the journey, every tourist wishes to buy little presents for those at home or something to remember the great time spent in a particular place.
If your destination is Dublin, one very well known shop to find gifts is Carolls Irish Gifts.

Here you can choose from a wide range of more or less traditional items, from key rings, pencils, table cloths, table coasters, CDs with Irish Music, calendars, earings, rings, bracelets, chocolates, lucky Irish shamrock seeds to grow in your own pot, Guiness items and the list, of course, is much, much longer.

Tamburine Man

Irish are very cheerful persons - and so was this man playing the tamburine near Molly Malone's statue.

River Liffey (1)

This is Liffey River - it flows right through the center of Dublin dividing the Southside from the Northside.
For a long time it was used for trade - nowadays tourists can make water tours within Dublin ( Liffey Voyage). Or can just admire Dublin sitting in a cafe. And if they like to walk, can cross from one part to another on one of the numerous bridges.

O'Connell Street (City Center) - 2

And here is O'Connell Street again and the statue of Daniel O'Connell, viewed from another angle. A busy street, crowded with cars and people who return from work.

Thank you very much to all those who have showed interest for my new photo blog and sent me their welcome wishes in CDP community.

Also I'm not very "new" - from August 2008 I started another blog in CDP - http://www.bucharestdailyphoto.wordpress.com/ .

Dublin blog will show photos from my vacation, but I hope I'll return there in time to "refresh" my stock.

Keep in touch.

O'Connell Monument

And here is the monument of Daniel O'Connell, known as "The Liberator" or 'The Emancipator" - the Irish political leader who fought for Catholics' rights in Ireland.

O'Connell Street (City Center)

If you take the tour in the upper seats, that is the first image you see - O' Connell Street - the best known street in Dublin - crowded with cars, buses, shops, pubs and, of course, people.

For tourists, O'Connell Street it's like a guiding lighthouse - all tours and visits begin from this point .

Let's begin our Dublin Tour !

And how can we better begin it, if not by a Dublin Tour Bus !
Buy a ticket ( valid 24 hours ) hop on the bus ( Yellow, Red or Green) on O'Connell Street ( City Center) take the Grand Tour (and see the main touristic attractions) .

Then, you can do the tour again but hop off and visit every one of them at your own pace.