After leaving Belfast and staying overnight in Swords, one last stop before returning back home, was Dublin.
The boys left early in the morning to Cro and I had few hours to spare before my flight in the late afternoon.
The weather forecast for the day was HORRIFIC! And when I say that, I mean – my book in the suitcase got wet while waiting on those airport carts before being put in the airplane.
There was no chance in the world to roam the city streets, because it was so irritating. I would get wet either from the rain or from the water puddles on the road splashing every time a car or a doubledecker passes by. The half hour I spent on the street, to store my luggage and grab some food after a museum visit, I was soaking wet. Had to have a change of clothes at the airport.
During the two weeks on the Emerald island, the weather was disappointing. But that day was the biggest celebration for dragging my wellies across the boarder. No wonder everything is so green in Ireland. 🌧️ And no wonder back in the day many have fled the country, because the harsh weather conditions and political situation were not sustainable.
To find a bit more on the subject, and to get away from the rain, I spent few hours in a museum that covers the history of the Irish diaspora and emigration to other countries.
Being an emigrant (of different kind, though) my self it was interesting to hear other peoples stories and maybe draw some connections to my narrative.
EPIC The Irish emigration museum is a privately owned museum that tells the story of the 70 million worldwide who claim Irish descent. Its location at Custom House Quay is a bit symbolic, since that was the departure point for many of those who migrated from Ireland in the 1800s.
Designed by the London-based design firm Event Communications, responsible for the Titanic Belfast design it was voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction for several years in a row.
People have been moving around since the down of ages. Weather conditions, natural disasters, poverty and economic situations, wars, love, hate. You name it there can be any reason for a person to relocate. For short, for longer, forever.
Ireland is no exemption. For centuries, the people have settled on the Emerald island, while for the others it was the point of no return.
The exhibition is made up of twenty individually themed galleries and every visitor gets its own passport to stamp after passing onto a new section. Pretty cool.
The museums carefully introduces us to Ireland’s unique geography and guides the visitors through interactive galleries covering missionary work, the Irish famine, religious and social persecution, criminal transportation, and the effects of Irish involvement in foreign conflicts.
Especially touching were personal testimonies of some Irish emigrants that left a deep contribution in their new home countries.
Walking across the galleries was like traveling through time and memories, recalling every single Irish poet, painter, singer, actor or even TV characters of Irish descent like Ray Donovan or Tommy Gavin from Rescue me.
My personal favorite and I wish my boys were there with me, was the eating and drinking room that recreated the pub atmosphere.
Mentioning the food now, I think the most honest thing would be to share some Irish dining destinations with you. Full Irish road trip gastro post coming up! Stay tuned!
