One of our classes ended mid-semester and so the final exam was Friday, 26 October. Promptly after finishing the exam, I grabbed my pre-packed bag and headed directly to the airport for a flight to Dublin. I’m quite sure my usual post-exam activities have often included some form of cleaning. Clearly, I have turned over some kind of new leaf since being here…

Thanks to the John-Miller-extended-network, I had several places to stay and was informed that while I was flying to Dublin, emails were being exchanged in regards to my weekend schedule. Oh the hospitality of the Irish!

Upon touchdown, I headed directly to the art gallery opening for Shane’s brother, Gary. Alan met me on the street corner to inform me that the party had already moved to the pub. Naturally, there was no way to get an earlier flight, but I’ll regret missing seeing Gary’s work nevertheless.

After a pint at the pub and a late supper, Alan and Elaine took me by a local pub where there is often traditional Irish music. We were in luck. In a small room off the side of the bar – once used to be for the purpose of segregating the ladies from the men – a group of musicians had gathered and were playing. It was fantastic. The elder of the group, and clearly the leader, asked for everyone to be quiet to let one of the guys play a couple songs on his own. He played guitar and sang two songs – the first a very soulful, beautiful song that had everyone quiet and intently listening and the second a more folk-sounding number that had a familiar seeming chorus about the revolution which people naturally began to sing along. Turns out he had written them both.

Saturday Alan, Elaine and I joined John’s family (sans John, of course) at his mum’s house for lunch, which was an all afternoon affair with plenty of good food and even better conversation. Plans were also hatched for me to accompany Michael, a Miller family friend, for a hike in the Wicklow Mountains the following day. Besides being incredibly friendly and welcoming, the Irish also are very interested in any Irish relations. Upon asking the names of my mother’s parents, Sean had the Dublin phone book out to see if I had any distant relations in the area, as well as some stories about more recent famous shenanigans by namesakes. Although there were too many Plunketts to narrow it down, there were only a handful of Dugdales, which Sean announced optimistically. I got the distinct feeling that it would not at all been out of place to have called these people to see if they happened to be related to my grandfather (who, incidentally, I never knew, as he died when my mom was but a small child). But, the American got the better of me and I refrained, so any search for distant relatives will have to wait for another trip to Ireland.

With borrowed hiking boots, gaiters, and rain pants, I met Michael at our designated time and place the following day for the drive south to the Wicklow Mountains. It was damp and windy at the trailhead, but I would soon be warm, as Michael set a brisk pace up the first hill before the trail ended and I soon understood the importance of hiking boots and gaiters vs. my wimpy running shoes. It was a great day – sunny with some ominous clouds for drama and not a soul to be seen in the rolling, mossy Irish countryside. Michael and I enjoyed about a 4 hour hike with a short stop for a snack and tea (of course) all the while enjoying fantastic conversation on just about every topic you can think of. We got rained on for the last bit, but thanks to my gracious hosts, I was properly geared and the wetness didn’t bother much at all.

Monday, I had only a short amount of time for sight-seeing before needing to catch my flight and so headed over to the Guinness Brewery, which was a short walk from Alan and Elaine’s flat. After the prior day's hike, I wasn't up for more than a short walk anyway. The history of Guinness is an inspiring and interesting one and the Gravity Bar at the top affords spectacular views of all of Dublin and beyond.

--- the River Liffey and Dublin by night ---

--- Trinity College --

--- Ha'penny Bridge ---

--- Wicklow Mountain terrain ---

--- low-lit windblown grass and moss ---

--- fall colors of the Glendalough Valley ---

--- view of the city from Guiness' Gravity Bar with brewery in foreground ---