The Bridges and Waterways of Dublin

The bridges of Dublin are unique.  I counted at least nine spanning the Liffey River.  We strolled along both sides of the river, taking photos, breathing in the wonderful salt air.

The O'Connell Bridge spans the North and South of Dublin.  Historically dividing the richer, southside of Dublin, with poorer Northern side.

This bridge opens up to a 45 yard wide promenade street of the same name;  O'Connell Street.

The incredible Samuel Beckett Bridge is shaped like a harp.  It is quite impressive.

O'Casey Bridge, a pedestrian only bridge.

It appears the river is very high under this bridge?  I believe the tide was out at this time as well.  There has been a tremendous amount of rain in the UK this winter with very grave flooding everywhere.

Dublin, in case we even thought about driving in the city, is made up of many, many, one way streets.  With the bridges, many being pedestrian only, taxis and buses go a long way around to get to places.  But the views are awesome.

The rail bridge.  Yes...the colour of the train is green?

A very disturbing and sad group of sculptures representing the 'Great Famine' that killed over one million Irish people in the period between 1845-1849.  As well as another one million who left Ireland because of the 'Great Famine.'

The view from O'Connell Bridge.  Gorgeous day.

The Millennium Bridge is also pedestrian only...plus bikes.

This bridge below owes it's name, because of the penny it costs to cross it....Ha' Penny Bridge.

A sunny and warm day for a leisurely walk along the river.

Dublin is known for it's 'Doors'.  Very colourful and each quite unique in design.  But I would say the buildings are fun to see as well.  Many different colours that we wouldn't see back home.  Mauve?  

I like it!

500 Year Old, Trinity College, Dublin

Trinity College is located right in the heart of Dublin.  Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I to establish a Protestant way of thinking for the Irish people.  It is a very prestigious college here in Ireland.  

Beautiful grounds.  

The very old and famous 'Book of Kells' is located in the Trinity Library on the campus grounds.  No photos were allowed.  The 'Book of Kells' was written in the 8th century by Irish monks.  

Trinity Library houses many very old original books and documents.  It is two storeys high.  Lined with busts of famous writers including Shakespeare.

One of the original 'Proclamation of the Irish Republic' is also on display here.

Over 200,000 of the oldest books are located here, including the 'Book of Armagh' written in A.D. 807.

Incredible ladders that can reach the nose bleed books on the top shelves.

Below is the oldest surviving Irish harp in Ireland.  Made is the 15th century, it is protected within a glass box.  This is the national symbol of Ireland, as music is so loved here.  Queen Elizabeth I actually tried to eradicate the Gaelic culture by destroying all harps in Ireland.  As well, she had Irish harpists hung whenever found.

No way to make friends.

An interesting sphere on the campus grounds.  Reminds me of the 'Death Star' in Star Wars!

At one time, only rich male Protestant could attend Trinity College. It wasn't until 1903 that women began to attend.  Today half of the students are female.

"You Go Girls."

Green Space in Dublin

Everything is an easy walk from 'Abigail's Hostel' that we are staying.  It is a great place with lots of security, delicious protein rich free breakfast and located right on the River Liffey.  Dublin, which we didn't know, has a river that runs through it with many picturesque bridges criss crossing along it's route.  Thus, this big city is so welcoming and quaint that you don't feel like you are in a big city.

We came upon St. Stephen's Green, a 22 acres of green parkland inside this bustling city.  A great place to slow down and ground yourself.  Lately, we have needed to find a few quiet places to relax.  Parks, bird watching, water ways....it all works for us to slow our pace down.

It feels and looks like Spring here in Dublin.  The crocuses are already up through the ground.  Vibrant yellows, mauves and purples on a sea of green grass.  

Don't hate us...but they have been cutting the grass now for weeks.  Everything has remained green.  No yellow or dark dead grass.  It almost looks like sod.

Swans, ducks, pigeons, gulls, robins, fish....trees, grass, benches....and even sun on this glorious day.

This is a Moorhen bird.  It was away off from the other ducks.  We thought it was a duck until it climbed on the rocks and we caught sight of it's 'chicken' feet.  He has quite the beak.  We named him Beaker until I looked him up in my bird book.

One of the biggest British birds is the Muted Swan.  We see them all over the UK.  These beautiful birds mate for life, living up to 15 years.  This swan is defending it's territory by arching it's wings over it's back.  It is called 'busking.'  It makes itself appear bigger and more regal.

My Moorhen bird....check out the 'chicken feet.'  Very odd looking.

Palm trees in Dublin?  I did not know that palm trees would grow here but in fact they are everywhere, especially on the coastal cities and towns.  It was explained by a new friend, Sinead, that it is due to the Gulf Stream that results in a temperate climate. 

A really neat 'Tufted Duck.'  With a wee tuft of feathers on the back of the head.

Some trees are budding, but the majority have blossomed and look beautiful.  Apple blossoms?

Deb and I have now been travelling for almost 4 months and we realize that we hadn't thought about booking rest days.  There is so much to see and do that we can't help ourselves but to keep going.  Not to sound ungrateful but we look forward to being in one place, Conwy, Wales for two weeks, when we leave Ireland.  

When I see this pigeon I think of roses and dandelions.  That may sound weird, but if someone had said that dandelions were beautiful flowers and not weeds, everyone would love them.  The same mentality goes for my beautiful birds.  Pigeons and gulls are not as celebrated as robins and bluejays?  But I have decided that they need to be photographed and loved as well.  In fact there are many different types of gulls and pigeons.  When I started to look at them in a different light, they have such varying colours that are quite interesting.....and appealing.

Swans are graceful and quite beautiful, no doubt about that.  I can't believe how many we have seen in Scotland and Ireland.  I am talking about flocks of 10-40 of them.  

This two toned brown duck is the female partner of the Tufted Duck.  She was quite rich and lovely looking.

Our winter haven for our Mallards and partners from Canada.  Enjoying the warm climate of Ireland.  They were definitely happy to see other Canucks.

An awe moment......warmth and sun.

Coffee or Guinness? But What if it is Tim Hortons?

The morning after we find huge kegs of Guinness on the sidewalks in front of the local pubs on the streets of Dublin.  

These kegs are three high....but also about twenty kegs in total.

That is a lot of beer?

Deb and I were walking around town the other morning looking for Trinity College.  In the corner of my eye, I spy a "Tim Hortons" coffee sign.  No way!

I head in to the local grocery outlet, SPAR, and right there is a Tim Hortons coffee bar.  Serve yourself.  I had to have one.  The thought made me so happy.

"Go big or go home."

Large it is!