Monday
After a relatively smooth flight and several coffees later, we arrived safely at Abigails, the hostel, where we would be staying for the next 5 days. We first stocked up on food – nobody, especially not teenagers, likes to go hungry. Tayto crisps and Cadbury’s chocolate needed to be tasted.
After settling in, we went exploring the streets of Dublin – from the crowded alleyways of Temple Bar to the Viking area of Dublin, up to the giant brewery of Guiness, paused for a Whippy Icecream in St. Patrick’s Cathedral before returning to the hostel via Grafton Street – a pedestrian shopping street. The weather was glorious. That evening, some brave souls made it to the sea at Sydney Parade.
Tuesday
Today was the day of museums and art galleries. First we went to EPIC, to look at the causes of emigration. We learnt that there was a huge variety, everything from discrimination, starvation, deportation to looking for brighter economic futures. We learnt what the trips were like. But we also learnt about the chances in new countries and the spread of Irish culture in countries as far away as New Zealand to the Southern States of America.
After lunch, we navigated the Dublin transport system, albeit with some difficulties until we got to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, which is housed in an old hospital in Kilmainham. There, everybody found an art work which they found interesting and reported back to the group. A huge cloud picture representing the density of unmanned arial objects was particularly popular.
Wednesday
Dublin Castle proved to be as interesting as ever, with a view of how the Vikings settled in Dublin, Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula after a cholera plague, and the state hosting of state and not so stately dinners throughout the centuries. As usual, everybody was too exhausted to visit the Chester Beatty Art Gallery and preferred to set off on the hunt for second hand bookshops.
For that, we went on a glorious hike around Howth, a beautiful peninsula, full of heather, cliffs and seabirds, screaming in the wind.
Thursday
Originally we wanted to visit the National Museum of Archaeology, but they had to close due to too many protests on the first day of government. Instead we went to the Irish Museum of Modern Literature. There we were able to read all sorts of inspiring snippets. There was also a room which invited you to listen to different authors writing inspiration and then try out a first line of your own.
In the afternoon people were offered a choice of writing in a church environment or going to a beach. Only one person decided to take the beach option! The first draft of Dubliners 2024 was created.
Friday
We had the good fortune of being at Trinity College Dublin’s Fresher week, where several clubs had tables in the Front Courtyard displaying possible activities. We also had a student guided tour, by students of TCD, who explained what it was like to study at Trinity. Some of our students felt inspired.
Then after a bit of a delay, it was time to fly home, tired but full of new impressions.
Amanda Baker
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