Contrasting Dublin

We are back in Dublin after our 'potato famine' tour of south west Ireland.

Dublin is a largely Georgian city - just what I like - Georgian architectural symmetry.  Rows and rows of big Georgian windows and red brick elegance.  In contrast, Dubliners are overwhelming young, and despite widespread emigration of young people during the GFC, 40% of the population of Dublin is under 30 years of age. So the place has a real buzz and the city centre is lively with restaurants, bars and music. So much music.

I have previously mentioned that the 1916 rebellion is receiving a lot of commerative attention - even Prince Charles is here doing whatever it is he does. One particular commerative event has caused a bit of stir and debate in the country. Various dignitaries and invited guests attended an event to honour British troops who died during the rebellion.  Mid-ceremony one of the 'guests' jumped up to protest the honouring of what was essentially the occupying forces.  The Canadian Ambassador decided to take action and tackled the protestor to the ground - Wendy Deng style.  This is where the debate kicks in - is he a hero for taking decisive action ? Or as a non-national at an event where he was just another invited dignatory should he have butted out and let the officials deal with the matter. Apparently this chap has been involved in a couple of squirmishes in the past where he has played Action Hero, and he has been lauded for that, but it needs to be noted that these were in his own country and there was some threat involved in those cases. What is being more hotly debated is the appropriateness of the event itself. It was intended as a private and quiet ceremony but the actions of the Ambassador have seen it hit the news big time and people are now asking why it was held at all. I can't help but wonder the outcry if the Japanese held an event in say Singapore to honour their war dead ?? 

On this trip we have seen both sides of Dublin - literally. The poor and the posh. Our first night was spent in the working class suburb of Tallaght (so we could get away on the motorway quickly in the morning). The area was bleak and everything I expected of post GFC Ireland. Including Travellers. No, I do not mean fellow tourists. The Travellers, or gypsies as we called them when I was young and we did

 not know the term was perjorative, number around 22,000 in the Republic. Unemployment is high at 75% and life expectancy low, only half live past 39 years. On every demographic scale they are a sad lot. We encountered a few Travellers on our travels, and the sterotypes all fitted what I had learned watching those voyeristic British TV shows (surely you have seen My Fat Gypsy Wedding).

On our return to Dublin we stayed in the leafy inner suburbs. Our B&B was typical of the area, a large, spacious home with a generous garden where the grey squirrels frolicked.

Next stop - Portugal.