In March, 7A spent 5 days in Dublin. We were really lucky with the weather as we had almost no rain. But it was rather windy, especially at the coast.
The city centre isn’t too big so it wasn’t too hard to find our way around. The only thing that really needed some getting used to was the traffic – not the fact that cars drive on the “wrong” side but crossing the road was rather difficult. The pedestrian lights were red, still: everyone crossed – but us. We adapted fast!
This is what Samir says about the traffic situation:
Arriving in Dublin we expected people to respect the traffic regulations but we were soon proven otherwise. Many cars were taking red lights as a mere suggestion and if you happened to be on the crosswalk when they wanted to drive – well… bad luck. Expect to be honked at and insulted. (Samir)
Here are some of the things we did or visited:
EPIC Museum of Emigration
The Epic museum in Dublin, Ireland, is dedicated to the many Irish who left or had to leave the country. It tells the story of Irish culture and its global impact because the many Irish emigrants took their culture with them. The museum offers interactive exhibits and multimedia displays. Visitors receive a passport which they stamp at each station, documenting their journey through Irish history and culture. (Emma)
Howth
After our visit to the Epic Museum we headed to Howth, a charming spot with stunning views towards the sea. The scenery was breathtaking, with the sound of the sea and seagulls soaring gracefully overhead. Their playful antics brought smiles to our faces, even though they ate some of our cookies! Feeding seagulls isn’t the most harmless thing to do, but being in such a pretty place and seeing nature up close made us feel really good. (Dzhamilya)
Haunted Dublin
The haunted tour which we had on Thursday introduced us to myths and folklore regarding supposedly haunted places in Dublin. We met the tour guide at the famous Spire and set off on a spooky adventure. It wasn’t only interesting and captivating but also a great way to see and learn about the city. The most interesting tale we were told is the one we heard in front of Trinity college. A group of students murdered a teacher after they failed an exam. Since the teacher was killed so violently and suddenly it is said that his soul didn’t want to move on. Those students were never sentenced because they came from rich and powerful families. But all of them failed in life almost as if they were cursed. Some say that when it is dark you can see the shadow of the teacher roaming the school. (Vojin)
The Cliffs of Moher
We also took a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, which are situated at the west coast. There was such a beautiful scenery. You could take many great pictures of the cliffs and the ocean. On a hill there was a little building shaped like a tower. It was very cold so we recommend wearing warm and fitting clothes. It also got very windy. As we walked along the cliffs, we were almost blown back to Vienna. A barrier kept us from falling all the way down into the ocean. We’d also advise you to not take pictures too close to the barriers otherwise you can say goodbye to your phone.
Before we made our long way back to our accommodation, we visited the gift shop too, where we bought many beautiful souvenirs. (Carolina and Phenicia)
Trinity College
On Saturday, our last day, we visited Trinity College, which ıs built on a graveyard. Despite the wind and a surprising rain, the campus was stunning with flowers, trees, and Irish birds. The teachers also provided us with a helpful audio-guide to give us more insight into the history and significance of the facility. (Rümeysa)
A Rose by Any Other Name – a visit to the Smock Alley Theatre
Saturday evening we went to see a play – it was a one-woman soliloquy – at the Smock Alley Theatre where we learned more about Shakespeare. The actress told us what role Shakespeare has played in her life. She also told us about the theory that Shakespeare did not actually write his works himself and that she was looking for gaps in his biography. All in all, it was quite interesting… But it was one of the best good night stories we’ve ever heard (we even fell asleep during the performance) and after the event we were able to get a good night’s rest for the flight the next morning. (Viola)
