Travel Blog » Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin Travel Blogs

Background: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.

Ireland

Map of Ireland

Ireland's Flag

Recommended Books:

Hostels in Ireland
Latest Dublin Blog Entries
Dublin Photos

By MoLynn
September 21st 2008

Dublin, Ireland

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Fact: Matthew McConaughey knows how to Irish dance I traveled to Dublin, Ireland on September 18th with six other girls. yikes. Traveling with that many girls turned out okay... haha! Anyway, we flew to Dublin and got to our hostel, Litton Lane. The seven of us stayed in a 10 person room. One of the beds was occupied by a Turkish man who wore striped pajamas... interesting. There was also one other girl who I mistook for one of my friends the next morning without my glasses on and said hi to her with my teeth-grinding mouthguard in and needless to [View Full Entry]

By Suitcase Shaman
September 21st 2008

St. Kevin's Bus, Dublin to Glendalough

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin Taxi Driver
Barry

(by Becky) Our next destination is Glendalough (Glendalock) which is only serviced by St. Kevin's bus. Barry, our taxi driver from New Zealand (Born in Nigeria), was very nice & helpful. He is living in Dublin with his girlfriend of 15 years. They have 2 kids and in November he is surprising her with a wedding in South Africa. I guess it is like Vegas there, easy to get a marriage license. Good luck with that! The bus ride was winding (a bit of motion sickness for me) but beautiful and by the time we arrived it was dark. After [View Full Entry]

By TeresaTraveler
September 21st 2008

Culture of Dublin

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Woman
This has to be the most fondled statue in the world.

Today is Match day, the Irish football final between Kerry and Tyrone counties. It is also International Peace day; and the last day of our holiday in Ireland. We spent the weekend catching up with touristy things and our quest to see the culture of Ireland. The photos are a summary of what we have found. [View Full Entry]

By TeresaTraveler
September 21st 2008

Last Night

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Last night
Yup, we love the hotel's atrium. This is the best place to either read a book, have lunch, people watch or simply relax with a tea pot.

Missing this place already. I wonder which was better, exploring Ireland or laughing with best friend? Somehow both meshed into a wonderful journey as we explored Ireland. Today is the equinox and it is a fitting time to come full circle. We had supper at the Thai restaurant that we tried to find on the first day that we arrived. We were early and got a table, but within half an hour the place was filled. The city is overflowing with dismal Kerry fans. As per our habit, we ended up in the atrium, happy for the peace and comfort. Now [View Full Entry]

By Suitcase Shaman
September 20th 2008

Dublin International Hostel: Sacred Ground

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin Town (1)
Church Spire at Night

Dublin International Hostel: Sacred Ground September 20 (by Lettie) We arrived enthusiastic and prepared to invite the appropriate lodging into our experience that would serve our communal desires. After sensing several locations we chose the Dublin International Youth Hostel. (It was at one time a convent and school. The old nun's chapel is currently a restaurant/dining area and has long wooden tables under beautiful stained glass windows. Also, from the confessional box you can make phone calls.) I will share the most powerful experience first, though it occurred later in the ti [View Full Entry]

By Suitcase Shaman
September 19th 2008

Bringing The Arizona Sun

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin Hostel
Hostel Reception Area

(By Becky) We leave Arizona just to get burned in Ireland. We lassoed the Arizona sun and brought it with us to London. People all around us are saying how unusual the weather is- warm and sunny, and the same when we arrived in Wales. As we crossed the sea to Ireland the sun kept with our steady pace. We told people who commented on the weather (which was almost everyone) that we brought the sun with us from Arizona. And they believed us! In Dublin we met a musician, Luke Hurley. He played for Terrie & I - our own [View Full Entry]

By Suitcase Shaman
September 19th 2008

International Youth Hostel, Dublin

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin International Hostel
Becky & Terrie

(by Terrie) This experience was unique. The dwelling was an old mansion of a house converted into a youth hostel. Our room was equipped with 9 bunk beds to accomodate communal sleeping. The energy of the place was alive and vibrant with the enthusiasm of eternal youth. Noisy at times, bursting with the dialects of multiple languages. The dining hall was located in an adjoining church, rich with the rustic history of time. This vast dining area was complete with long rows of tables reminiscent of the Harry Potter movies. The courtyard out back hosted several tables where we dined, [View Full Entry]

By Suitcase Shaman
September 19th 2008

Hostel Experience in General

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Dublin Hostel
Church Dining Room

(by Lettie) In our first ever hostel experience we discovered what we appreciated, and what we would prefer to avoid. First and foremost was the joy of other exuberant travelers. We did not in our time there of 3 days and 2 nights see a bit of conflict despite the large number of youth and a few well aged travelers such as ourselves ( 40 to 50ish). I met a woman from Spain by the name of Rose who wanted to practice her English skills with me and invited me to learn a little Spanish. I was not good at [View Full Entry]

By arsku
September 19th 2008

Syysmatkan alku

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

tauko lentokentällä

Lähdimme kolmistaan Irlantiin, minä, Pia ja Markku. Koska meistä kolmesta minä olin ajanut autoa vähiten oikealla ja eniten vasemmalla puolella, minun tehtäväkseni jäi ajaa autoa. Pia ideoi pääosin matkakohteet ja Markku luki karttaa ja piti yllä tunnelmaa. Vaihteiden vaihtaminen vasemmalla sujui yllättävän hyvin. Olinhan ajanut Uudessa Seelannissakin autoa, jossa ratti oli oikealla, mutta siinä oli automaattivaihteet. Kun pääsin autolla moottoritielle, huomasin että oikea peili oli säädetty ihan pieleen. En siis nähnyt kunnolla oikeanpuoleisella kaistalla tulijoita. Majapaikka oli Newg [View Full Entry]

By GrantH5185
September 18th 2008

Down Ireland, back to Holland, coming full circle.

Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin

Where the Titanic launched
It is built over now but about mid way through the picture on the barely visible gray cinder block ramp the Titanic slid into the water.

After Portstewart I took a bus into Belfast, a fascinating city. With it's recent history of terrorism and conflict I was excited to get a feel for the city. While there was still plenty of visible evidence of the past troubles I felt safe the majority of the time I was there (well the hostel was a bit dodgy, and after I booked it I heard some stories about theft, but all was well). As I arrived and eventually tracked down a cafe with wireless internet access I was able to assess the damage down to my bank account by the [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Europe » Ireland » County Dublin » Dublin