Dublin, Ireland
MAY-JULY 2008
I’m going back in time to share with you my first international trip (well besides Canada), way back when in 2008 (way back when I had my eyebrow pierced). It may have been 11 years ago and I might be oversharing a bit too much to reach back into the archives, but this is my adventure travel website/blog so I’ll go ahead and do what I WANT. You’re welcome :)
..Ah to be 21 again. I, herself, was headed off, just a wee fledgling jumping out of the nest that is the United States off across the pond to a wee ole island. I was going to Dublin for an internship set up through a university program; so yes I was getting credit for it. When I was looking at destinations I first looked at places that would be relatively easy to navigate as it was my first trip oversees, so an English-speaking place was top on the list. I could have chosen London, but that seemed cliché so I went with the Irish cause it seemed like good craic.
Ireland 2008 Playlist
Once soundtrack-Glen Hansard
“Warwick Avenue” - Duffy
“Chasing Pavements” - Adele
“Valerie” - Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
Once in Dublin, I was put up in an apartment in Santry complete with Irish roommates. I think it was the first time I lived with a boy. But I really don’t remember interacting with them much as I was usually off working or hanging out with the other girls in my program, although we all worked at different places. As for the internship, I was placed at a waste management and recycling company. Funny that’s where they put me when I told them my interests were in sustainability and renewables. I was thinking more along the lines of a solar or wind company but there I found myself at a garbage facility. But hey it was grand. They were good to me. And I still have the sweater they gave me; aye it’s one of my favorite jumpers to this day. At work I drafted sales letters, helped the accountants, assisted on sales calls to possible new clients, assisted in an on-site survey for a client, and went to a packaging regulations conference. But more excitingly, one day I tagged along with a binman in his lorry to pick up mixed recyclables. Then another day I worked on the picking line, sorting out recyclables. They told me I was the first lass to ever do that there. Look at me, breaking down gender roles in foreign countries as a budding 21 year old.
But my time in Dublin wasn’t all rubbish. …(d’ya get that linguistic pun? If so, fairplay to ya. ..And if by this point you’re not reading this post with an Irish accent you’re doing it all wrong. Go and start over.)
Good craic at Gogarty’s
O’Connell Street with the Spire in the background
Sailboats on the River Liffey
Like a scene out of Once - one of my fav movies & soundtracks
At Trinity College
When in Ireland read James Joyce
Precious cargo
Guinness Tour
A pint of the black stuff. Although, when I was there I didn’t care too much for beer so when I found Bulmer’s hard cider that became my go-to drink.
Gravity Bar @ Guinness
Porterhouse
Baby Guinnesses (Kahlua & Bailey’s)
Sláinte! Nights @ Porterhouse watching Euro football games
Out @ Doyle’s
Gettin’ inked
Malahide Castle
Guinness Estate - the lake even looks like a pint of Guinness
Around Glendalough
Irish Sea
Foolin’ around in Dalkey
Sunrise @ Docklands before Spencer Tunick naked photoshoot (like how I left you intrigued? naked? what? tell me more. maybe over a pint of Bulmers)
Only lass on the picking line at work
bunch of rubbish
4th of July in Dublin at Phoenix Park
4th of July in Dublin at Phoenix Park
And on weekends I traveled to Galway & the Aran Islands, Belfast & the Giant’s Causeway, and took a solo trip to London where I did all the tourist stuff and got to see matches at Wimbledon (potential foreshadowing of my future working at the U.S. Open perhaps?).
My trip to Ireland was the first of many international trips. I look back at my time there fondly and at all the Guinness and Bulmer’s pint glasses I took from pubs that I still have (I took them to give as gifts. super local and genuine Irish pint glasses). ..Once I was back at university, my roommate told me I had a wee bit of an Irish accent. I think it’s cause I was inflecting at the end of my sentences. And I still love to say three thirty three like the lady checking me out at Tesco said. -Just don’t say the “h’s.” And there you have it, your first Irish speaking lesson. Now go watch Once.