One thing that has enamoured me of this town is the wealth of little things going on that one 
can avail oneself of informally. Today is an excellent case in point. I headed over to the Academy at noon to help with some interviews for an IT position there. I was a few minutes early, so I cut down Kildare Street and popped into the National Library. They have a W.B. Yeats exhibition on and I had discovered this amazing display featuring notable Irish voices reading selected poems. The readings are delivered in this gazebo-like area with images projected aside words on translucent screens. It’s a uniquely captivating experience and I find myself transported from the work-a-day world onto (dare I say it) a transcendental plain. Its really a very special experience and I took ten minutes to savour a few poems and then headed onto my appointment. Entrance is free and its just inside the building. Its a splendid little place along the way. It allows you to spike your journey with some variety.
I work quite near St. Stephen’s Green and it has the obvious attractions of parkland, strollers (flaneur) and serendipitous engagement – like the brass band from two weekends ago. I live beside the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) grounds and one of the highlights of the year here is the annual Horse Show. It started the other day and has been attracting huge crowds. I don’t even have to contend with the horsey set though, as I can sit on my balcony and it overlooks the show grounds. Its quite a treat. The dressage, show jumping, all sorts of wonderful displays…and I don’t even have to leave my home. I remain truly blessed in the wonderful little diversions.
good graces of my friend Mary, I spent a lovely day traveling down to the South coast of Ireland. Destination: the 
about that. I was going to avail myself of library services today as 
Today’s specials featured Irish Chicken, Lamb, Haddock and fourth which I can’t remember. I started with an amazingly rich fish chowder that was seasoned with chorizo sausage. Normally, I’d have wondered about such a combination, but I like them both, so hazarded an order. Scrumptious. My main was the lemon and herb haddock, which was an ample portion and tasty, but a tad greasy for my liking. One thing I have noted with the fish and chips here in Dublin is how amazingly light the batter is and possibly (in my dreams) somewhat less unhealthy than back home. Partnered the meal with a Celtic Wheat Beer. Quite nice for an afternoon nosh.
Finding myself on the north side of the Liffey (a rarer occurence for me), I had the thought to bike on out to Howth and check out a few northern neighbourhoods. Although as I sit back in ballsbridge and write this, the sun is shining nicely, the weather has been rather changeable today. Thus, even in the short jaunt as far as St. Anne’s Park in Clontarf, there were at least three points at which I sought some respite from the rain under a handy tree (or at St. Patrick’s in Drumcondra). Managed a very leisurely journey through Drumcondra, Fairview, Kilester, Coolock, Raheny, Kilbarack and Sutton. The route I happened upon was rather urban, moving along relatively busy roads. When I hit the spit of and heading out towards Howth I discovered that there is a lovely coast road. Should have figured that one. Took it the way back and it was a far more enjoyable journey. The city has created a well maintained and scenic promenade along marshes and the wild of the north Dublin coast. There is a gold course located out from the coast along a casueway and the lovely twin smokestacks of the Dublin powerstation guide you back home. Far more conveniently and unbeknownst to me on the way out, was the outer bridge over the Liffey takes you right into Irishtown/Ringsend and I am home in 10 minutes. A rather long journey, but one with very cool finds.
a very pleasant surround. The neighborhood is a busy one, but largely of pedestrians and of tourists. Over the past few weeks we have all been commenting on how many tourist photos we must now be appearing as they let off busloads to marvel at the colourful doors and ornate doorways. There is a large green area in the centre of the square with dense trees surrounding it and charming grassed areas in side. The Georgian terraces are quite impressive and give real sense of a Dublin of days past. 
venue for those in the know. They feature a full slate of movies, largely European indie flicks, definitely of eclectic rather than popular taste. Last night for example featured: Paris, 
a great experience even better. Despite repeated warnings about the state of Irish roads and the aggressiveness of Irish drivers, we had a splendid journey. There was nary a cloud in the sky, the roads were lightly travelled, we learned the rules quickly and moved smoothly. Despite being a rusty in the ol’ joints I seemed to be able to keep up with Matt’s pro pace. We had a morning coffee, banana and water at the Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire on the terrace. Wandered a bit (wisely picking up some sunscreen at the boots) and then heading off a little further along the coast. We found the swimming spot at 40 feet and appreciated the ‘fun all the time’ at the funland in DL. We cut through a few irishly-narrow lanes on the incline to Dalkey. When we stopped for a quick orientation at an intersection, apparently we looked appropriately quizzical enough that a chap in land rover actually blocked the intersection to inquire as to whether we needed directions. What a thoughtful gesture. We took a leisurely lunch at the Queens Arms (sp) in lovely Dalkey village. I enjoyed some fine lamb’s liver on mash. Picture follows 
Satiated we decided to head back to town and plot our future trips further afield. A great Sunday jaunt. Shawn finds himself pleased that the joints haven’t seized and he’s not too worn in the posterior. I took a side trip over to the UCD campus on my way back. A sprawling place (reminds me of the University of Waterloo) and then back into town to try to pick up a few missing items in my kit bag. It was there that I found the wonderful brass band in St. Stephen’s (
Alas, I seem to have missed it, but a trip to Dun Laoghaire is always a fine thing and the high speed ferry ws just into port. I briefly thought about jumping aboard and heading for a day trip to England, but realized that that might be a bit dicey without my passport. Can probably do it, but was hesitant. On the other hand, I did pop into a bike shop to see what I was facing to get something to get me about town and maybe ut into the country. I found a friendly and helpful shopkeeper and figured there was really not much to gain in shopping around. I picked up a 