The Green Island

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been on holiday recently. I spent most of it on the greenest of green islands, Ireland. No wonder it's dubbed the Green Island. The grass riveted my eyes (more so when it's sunny), but that's not the only reason I found Ireland charming.

For such a comparatively small country with small population it offers quite a variety of things to do and see. Dublin has a simmering cultural life (Festival of World Cultures going on while I was there, more info on http://www.festivalofworldcultures.com/), inviting flowery parks and unique sights such as the Guiness Brewery and Old Jameson Distillery (some of the Dublin sights are listed here: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Ireland/County_Dublin/Dublin-296021/Things_To_Do-Dublin-TG-C-1.html). The city also offers fantastic jewelery with Celtic symbols and motifs (such a temptation!). These people have a fantastic sense of humour, which can be seen on any T shirts or beer mats sold in the gift shops. A central topic on all of these is drinking -- a subject which could not escape the sharp observations of Oscar Wilde (born in Dublin and incidentally one of my favourite quotation sources) who remarked: "I drink to keep body and soul apart."

Ireland also seemed to me to be a country of signs: everywhere there are road signs -- some giving directions, others - prohibitions, still others I foud quite fun, at least at first glance.

Here's a taster:

Can't have put it any clearer.

If the entrance is hidden, why put up a sign? Well, that's not the point, apparently:)

Glendalough area; more info on http://www.glendalough.ie/

P.S. While I am still under the spell of the Green Island, I think I'll be posting some of my Irish photos here and there.