richardsonsquared

Message: I'm returning to Ireland for the first time in 20 years with my new husband - I grew up there from 1974-1983. We will be staying in Dublin at the Paramount Hotel from 3/26-3/31 and then off to London for two days. I am a bit intimidated by what I've heard are massive changes and am wondering if I'll recognize the places I remember: the pier at Dun Laoghaire, my neighborhoods of Clarinda Park and Sandymount, my schools Sion Hill and Loretta by the Sea, Powerscourt, Trinity College, Bewleys...will I recognize anything at all?
Also, I don't want to dominate the whole trip - may I ask if anyone knows of any good fishing opportunities in the area Dublin/seaside towns? What, in your opinion, are the 'must see' (not necessarily touristy) sights I should make sure to hit with my husband?

Thank you to anyone who responds - I feel so nervous and excited about going back!

irishkaren

Welcome Home! I just had to register to reply to you. Dublin has changed a lot, but it will still be very recognizable to you. Dun Laoghaire pier is the same as it always was, you will still see Sion Hill girls in their grey and red school uniforms in Blackrock, and as far as I know, Loreto - was it Dalkey? - is there also. Alas, Bewleys has recently closed its doors on Grafton St for the last time, but Trinity still holds its allure for both students, tourists and Dubs. Powerscourt Gardens in Enniskerry are not only still there, but the house has been refurbished and now hosts shops and a lovely cafe called Avoca (also on Suffolk St in town) along with a garden centre and golf course. It is well worth a visit and the gardens are just spectacular in spring. Bulloch Harbour in Dalkey might have day fishing trips, or maybe you could try Howth?
My must-see Dublin area sights would be Powerscourt Gardens, the National Museum on Kildare St, Iveagh Gardens in the city centre hidden behind the Dept of Foreign Affairs on Stephen's Green, and the inside of a pub or two(Doheny and Nesbits, McDaids, Davy Byrne's...now all deliciously smoke-free). Hope this helps, failte abhaile! karen

richardsonsquared

Karen - thank you so very much for responding - this is wonderful news and I am more excited than ever! All the Best! Nancy

SiobhanP

Hi Nancy,

I felt a bit weird when I moved 9 years ago as I had not been since 1980. It has changed but you wil definately recogonise the place. The few odd things would be that Grafton street is now pedestrian (not sure when it happened you may have been here) temple bar did not exist then only as a dodgy few streets. Bewleys you still can get take away coffee and pastry in the front on Grafton Street.

O'Connell would be much tidied up since you left. The Carlton coinema and BHS are gone but the street has been re-designed and the Luas tram system started in the past year south and west. I don't think sandymount has changed at all. There are a few more places to eat but t is essentiall the sae quiet place.

Irishkaren is r8ight Powerscourt is amazing and the house is lovely. I think it was not open long when I moved to Dublin. Its a lovely day out and you can eat at avoca here. The food is excellent and the gardens lovely on a nice day. Is there any thing specific you want or see?

Oh how about behind Dublin Castle, there is the Chester Beatty Library which is an asian art collection. This was renovated from an old Officers Barricks behind the castle a few years ago.

You will be surprised I hope in a nice way.

Enjoy

S

richardsonsquared

Thank you Siobhan! I'm going to read the rest of your postings as well.

SiobhanP

Give a shout if you want to know anything specific I live city centre but know most surrounding areas well from work of having loved all over the place . I was pleasantly surprised when I came back early 90's as things were pretty bad economically in 1980 when I came for a visit.

There is a food market the day you arrive just down from the hotel in Temple bar. It had stuff to take home but also Oyserts to eat there, cakes, cheeses, quiches crepes etc. Its a nice way to start the 1st day and have a bite.

SiobhanP

That's "lived" all over the place...can anyone send me the web spell checker!

My life sounds much more interesting with the typo!

SharonG

Thanks SiobhanP for the morning laugh! From what I saw of the lovely Irish men when I was there a few years ago, I would enjoyed "loving" all over the place.

tuckerdc

It's been twenty years (!?! how does that happen??) since our first/only, fall-in-love with Ireland visit, and though I'm not sure we'll be able to get back, I often wonder about how much the countryside has changed/ modernized? I'm sure the warmth of the people hasn't changed (or at least, I hope not), but when you get away from the city, are the rural landscapes still rural? And enchanting?

Actually, this reminds me that I'll probably be posting in a few months asking about day-trips out of Cork and Waterford, two stops we'll have prior to a Silverseas crossing. Am I correct in recalling (no map readily at hand at the moment), that we might be able to make a visit to Glencomkille (sp)during our Waterford stop? Whatever- It'll be a lovely 'taste' of Ireland, for sure, but nothing like the two-week visit we were able to have in 1985.

wojazz3

tuckerdc:

I'm afraid you'll be disappointed to learn that Glencolumbkille is not at all close to Waterford. It is a long diagonal trip northwest through the country on the Co. Donegal coast on the opposite side and end of Ireland. A day trip is not really an option.

I'm not sure how long your day trips can be, but from Cork you could see Kinsale or Cobh, both very interesting towns. Perhaps from Waterford you could get down to Hookhead to see one of the oldest lighthouses in Europe that has remained in continuous operation.

Have fun.

Bill

tuckerdc

Thanks, Bill - I think I had a senior moment...is it Glendalough I might be thinking of - the monastic ruin?? Though we were there too briefly on our '85 trip, the mem'ry of it has held as a very mystical, magical place.

And thanks for the Hookhead idea. It sounds like a very good idea, too, as spouse and I are lighthouse guides and towards the journey's end portion of our cruise, we'll be in Newfoundland and hope to see the easternmost LH in North America.

wojazz3

It probably is Glendalough which would be a couple hours north of Waterford (depending on traffic). It certainly is a mystical and magical place.

I'm not sure what route you'll be taking onboard, but it sounds like you'll be moving along the southern Irish coast which could take you near Fastnet Rock and it's lighthouse. This is one of the more spectacular settings for a lighthouse in Ireland, well off shore and perched on the rock.

Bill