My trip to Ireland: part 10 - The End

We're finally at the end of my little story, that turned out to be pretty big one after all, about an experience that have left marks in my soul that I know will never be erased.
What can I say when it is all said and done? This was indeed a dream come true.

The time went so fast, the 16 days disappeared like dewdrops for the sunlight. The last day in Dublin was spent with doing touristy stuff; me running around with a list of things to get and places to be while Steven enjoyed the day at Howth (I'm definitely going there next time I'm coming to Ireland).
It was a truly beautiful day, after a charming rainfall, the sun came out and I sucked in everything like it was my last day on earth. My list of chores were soon forgotten because of one simple thing: a second-hand book-store (Chapters; Parnell Street). Since I was all on my own, no one could talk sense into me and drag me out of it. I think I stayed there for almost 2 hours, and when I left I no less than 8 books....books about anything and everything; IRA, The Orange Order, Candide, The Snake's Pass (the first Bram Stoker-book I've got beside Dracula) and some books about weird Irish stuff

 

Passion

 During the little rainfall that morning, I decided to find what I had been looking for so long: The Garden of Remembrance. And the funny part was we had actually passed it every day walking down to O'Connell street. It was very moving to just stand there in the pouring rain and feel the soul of the Irish fight for freedom. It was like a holy place, and I remember trembling when I walked alongside the cross-shaped pool up to the sculpture, resembling the Children of Lír

Children of Lír

Behind the sculpture on the left side, there is a black plaque which commemorates all those who has fallen for the Irish cause during the several rebellions throughout its history, with these words:

We Saw A Vision
In the darkness of despair we saw a vision, We lit the light of hope, And it was not extinguished, In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision, We planted the tree of valour, And it blossomed.
In the winter of bondage we saw a vision, We melted the snow of lethargy, And the river of resurrection flowed from it.
We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river, The vision became a reality, Winter became summer, Bondage became freedom, And this we left to you as your inheritance.
O generation of freedom remember us, The generation of the vision.

Liam Mac Uistin

The effect these words had on me cannot be described in mere words, they echoed in my mind long after I returned home as they themselves are an echo of the Irish past, present and future.

 But this last day wasn't just for the dead ones.Dublin is a city of life, fun and energy. As the clouds drifted away and the sun cam peeping through, my inner smile was growing. I was going to meet Steven at the Porterhouse later, but I had plenty of time to look at anything and everything that deserved a glance.

Brilliant

I encountered this sign in a small shop in Nassau Street, and  what can I say? Maybe I should get myself a dog just to have a sign like this...?

After I was finished shopping (I really can't stand it, but this time I had to), I got some bread and went to St Stephens Green to think and feed the ducks. I think I must have sat there for almost 2 and a half hour, but should I complain? The sun was shining, people were smiling and life was good.
And as you may already have understood: I love ducks (who couldn't love this little rascal on the picture below?)

Happy Duck

I will miss this place immensely

The hours went, and I felt kinda dizzy because of the sun, so I decided to move against the Porterhouse which lay on the end of Temple Bar. The bags I had made my fingers go numb, so I took me pretty long time to walk over there. I hadn't eaten in a very long time, and I couldn't wait for Steven either, since he was being delayed.
So now was the time for...Irish Stew ^^

Yummy

It may look kinda dull and grey-ish, and not being a very fancy dish. But it's brilliant after a long day doing whatever-you-are-doing, and  the Porterhouse got itself another star from me :)
After some time, Steven also joined me. And as you can see from the picture below: he was HUNGRY.

Couldn't make it smaller, could they?  ^^

I turned out that a single portion of Irish stew wasn't enough for me, so I ordered some mashed potatoes. That must have been some potatoes from heaven, because it was so delicious. I bet they were doing some kind of magic in that kitchen...abracadabra!

The best mashed potatoes in the world

One hungry, happy traveller

The evening was indeed the best ending I could have asked for; delicious food, amazing beer and good company.
So to top the evening I chose a glass of my favourite-whiskey: Bushmills Black....

The water of life; Bushmills Black

...together with the most amazing cheese-cake I've ever tasted. I'm definitely coming back!

Bliss in the form of a dessert

So was my last day come to an end and it was time to head back to the hostel and start to pack. Walking through the city at this time, looking against the horizon where the sun had gone down and one could see that the night once more would throw its black, stardotted cloak over the city. One tear fell for it all...

Dublin by night

A beautiful last night

The packing took of course very long time, since my suitcase had never been prepared for the fact that I might bring home a book...or two...
And as one might say: many small things will make a mountain, and I keep everything! So I kinda knew that the suitcase would be way beyond the allowed 20 kg.
After many rounds, packing and unpacking, all my books where in my bag, while everything else (newspapers, clothes, "things" etc) lay in my suitcase which was more stuffed than a turkey on Christmas Day...

That night I didn't sleep much, and the next morning I was in a haze. I was about to leave the country I had been dreaming about for so long, say goodbye to a dear friend and head for home. But I cannot call it my only home anymore. I've felt welcomed in Ireland from the first second, and I hope...no, I KNOW I will return some day. The reality of leaving it all didn't catch up with me before I stood on the airport with the ticket in my hand, heading first for Frankfurt, then Oslo and finally Bergen.


Thanks to all of you that made this adventure, this dream, a possibility

THE END