An overview of Dublin

I always thought that visiting Ireland would be like taking a stroll through a very big, very green park. Dublin did not live up to that expectation. Yes, traveling to Ireland in mid November isn't the smartest idea. It was raining when we landed, and the grey skies and cold weather were fairly consistent for the entire trip. But what surprised me is that Dublin itself is kind of a grey city, with some interesting architecture but very little to recommend it as a whole.

That's not to say that there isn't anything to see or do in Dublin. I was just betrayed by my own unfair expectations of what the city might be like. My friend and I visited a number of sights, ate at some pretty good restaurants, and visited quite a few bars. I am glad that we didn't just visit the city during our five days in Ireland.

The Book of Kells and the adjoining Old Library in Trinity College was an interesting diversion. The medieval illuminated manuscripts were unusual and quite detailed. The Long Room of the library was quite impressive with it's seemingly endless collection of books. I enjoyed viewing much of the collection at the National Gallery, and there was some interesting Asian works on display at the Chester Beatty Library and Galleries.

I think much of one's experience in Dublin is shaped not by the sights that they see, but by the people they meet and the interactions they have with them. I think the fatal flaw in my not thoroughly enjoying Dublin was that I didn't expose myself to enough people and engage in meaningful conversation. Not that my friend Grant and I didn't try. But I'll get into that later in another post...