On the eve of Christmas Eve, I stroll up the street where I grew up to catch the bus into town for the first time in more than a decade. The 78 bus is gone now, replaced by the number 40 that crawls through working class suburbs west of the city, over O'Connell Bridge itself … Continue reading down memory lane
ireland
christmas shopping
Monday morning in Dublin during a recession is an ideal time to go Christmas shopping, I think. No crowds, plenty of space, a bargain or two. I park in Drury Street, a friendly Corkman relieving me of my car keys and hiding the hire car in the bowels of his underground car park. St. Stephen's … Continue reading christmas shopping
December Dublin
Grafton Street: Wednesday: noon The rain has stopped its unremitting misery for a few hours and Dublin is at its wintery best. Despite the wet streets and darkly-clad lunchtime crowd, there is a distinct Christmassy feel. Even in early afternoon the light is dull enough to show off the chandelier-like garlands of silver lights on … Continue reading December Dublin
the road home
Back through Anascaul along the coast of Dingle Bay this time, we could not help but stop at the spectacular Inch Strand (what is the difference between a strand and a beach? The Irish would tend to use the former). Three miles long, this beach was used for the filming of “Ryan’s Daughter” years ago. … Continue reading the road home
Máiréad Doyle 