Dublin, Ireland

Apr.30, 2023

Ireland, Irish Éire, is a country of western Europe occupying five-sixths of the westernmost major island of the British Isles.

Here is the flag of Ireland:

The magnificent scenery of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline faces a 2,000-mile-wide expanse of ocean, and its geographic isolation has helped it to develop a rich heritage of culture and tradition that was linked initially to the Gaelic language. Washed by abundant rain, the country’s pervasive grasslands create a green-hued landscape that is responsible for the popular nickname Emerald Isle. Ireland is also renowned for its wealth of folklore, from tales of tiny leprechauns with hidden pots of gold to that of the patron saint, Patrick, with his legendary ridding the island of snakes and his reputed use of the three-leaved shamrock as a symbol for the Christian Trinity. But while many may think of Ireland as an enchanted land, the republic has been beset with perennial concerns—emigration, cultural and political identity, and relations with Northern Ireland (comprising the 6 of Ireland’s 32 counties within the province of Ulster that remain part of the United Kingdom). At the beginning of the 21st century, Ireland’s long-standing economic problems were abating, owing to its diverse export-driven economy, but calamity struck again in 2008 when a new financial and economic crisis befell the country, culminating in a very costly bailout of the Irish economy by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund.

The emergence of Ireland as an independent country is a fairly recent phenomenon. Until the 17th century, political power was widely shared among a rather loosely constructed network of small earldoms in often-shifting alliances. Following the so-called “Flight of the Earls” after an unsuccessful uprising in the early 17th century, Ireland effectively became an English colony. It was formally incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801. A 1914 Home Rule Act was passed but never implemented due to pro-union militancy in the north, the onset of World War I, and the subsequent Irish War of Independence. In 1920 the island was effectively partitioned with the creation of Northern Ireland, a six-county area with devolved powers within the United Kingdom, whereas under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 6, 1921, the other 26 counties became the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth and Empire. In 1937 the southern state passed a new constitution that offered a more robust expression of sovereignty, and in 1949 it formally left the Commonwealth as the Republic of Ireland.

Dublin, Irish Dubh Linn, is a city and capital of Ireland, located on the east coast in the province of Leinster. Situated at the head of Dublin Bay of the Irish Sea, Dublin is the country’s chief port, center of financial and commercial power, and seat of culture. It is also a city of contrasts, maintaining an uneasy relationship between reminders of earlier political and economic conditions and symbols of present-day life and prosperity.

Here are two buildings in Dublin:

The area of the city is 45.5 square miles. The population of the Greater Dublin Area in Ireland is over 2 million, or roughly 40% of the Republic of Ireland’s total population.

The tour of Dublin first stopped at Malahide Castle, seat of the Talbot family. Set on 250 acres of parkland, this castle dates back to the 14th century.

The castle contains one of the finest collections of Irish period furniture, as well as a collection of Irish portrait paintings from the National Gallery, some photos of which are shown below.

The coach then proceeded through the villages of Malahide and Portmarnock, home of the world-famous Portmarnock Golf Club — known for hosting Irish Open Championship.

We soon arrived in the quaint fishing port of Howth, where we stopped at the 11th-century Abbey Tavern to enjoy an Irish lunch accompanied by traditional entertainment. Nestled against the ancient ruins of Howth Abbey with the lovely fishing harbor and marina below, Abbey Tavern is an ideal place to rest and savor the atmosphere of old Ireland. Blazing turf fires, original stone walls, flagstone floors and gaslights add to the old-world charm. Over lunch, a music and dance performance had everyone tapping their feet and clapping their hands.

Finally, we drove over the hilly summit with wonderful views of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains beyond as we returned to the ship at Dun Laoghaire.

Next, we will sail southwest to Cobh, County Cork. Stay tuned.