“We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars” (Oscar Wilde)

“We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars”

Monday, 18^th May

Melbourne-Dubai-Dublin, hardly in the gutter, but certainly looking for stars!

We had a great flight into Dubai on an Airbus 380, quite spacious. We both watched many movies and TV shows, a bit square eyed by the time we got to Dublin.

Dublin is lovely! People are very friendly and cheerful. We are staying in a Georgian style hotel opposite St Stephan’s Green, a beautiful leafy park James Joyce mentions Stephan’s Green in Ulysses.

To maintain the literary vibe we walked to Merrion Square, a beautiful, leafy park opposite the house where Oscar Wilde was born and grew up in. There is an amazing statue of Oscar lounging on a big rock, at the corner of the park. Opposite the statue are plinths with many of his quotes engraved.

We caught up with our friend from Melbourne, Joan, a Dublin native and staying here to be with her ailing mother. Joan met us for a drink and then took us out for dinner and on a comprehensive tour around Dublin, via the DART (train) and her sister, Margaret, who drove us around the beautiful suburbs around Dublin’s bay. Not only did we see the fabulous homes of the rich and famous (Enya, Bono, Maeve Binchy) but also other notable sights including James Joyce’s Martello Tower.

There is a referendum in Ireland soon, about same-sex marriage. There are posters and advertising everywhere, all very emotive. Apparently God supports both sides. 

And for all the Killester old  girls: