Dublin, a series of small villages linked by canals, bridges and some tree lined Dublin suburbs. Downhill into town, uphill home in the evenings. From here, the Dublin Mountains are a snowy backdrop behind the clock tower and the glistening dome of the church in Rathmines. From here a few minutes by bike in either direction and I am there.
This week I am assisting on a creative project in Portobello. Busy, exciting, exhausting. Every evening, crashed out in this room, my eyes are drawn to the view and memories of that daily cycle. Up past the pub on the corner, still the same, around the fancy speciality tea shop, a new addition.
This old cinema is where I saw Elvis Costello and the Attractions play. The first photographic project I did for college was a portrait of some old windows in the side streets behind the church. My dreamy efforts at sketching trees took place along these banks. Then all I wanted to do was get away, always associating this city with the pain of growing up, blaming it all on dirty Dublin.
The wild lanes of Ireland will clear the cobwebs from your brain. They will connect you to the beauty and simplicity of the seasons always turning. They will open you to the magic of the small and the hardy in nature. Grounding and soothing.
But here in the capital, people interact and create sparks of energy and magic. Light dances on the water and the twinkling windows where people eat dinner in public expose the wonders of human daily ritual.
Time to forgive and forget. As winter lingers I am warming to the glow of these streets again. Encountering the ghosts of other Dubliners, their voices of confidence and cocky optimism. I am drinking it in. Storing it up for the return journey to the lakeshore. Reclaiming Dublin as my city too and even seeing the beauty in it……
What a beautiful testament to memory..and to how time and distance often changes our perspectives and views. Sounds like you're ready to make peace with your past and befriend Dublin again?!?!? Beautiful imagery!!!
Thank you as always Marcie, am I becoming all nostalgic? Yes I think so and why not:~)))
Catherine – The best way to get to know Dublin has always been on two wheels, cycling her tree-lined, cobblestoned or Georgian streets. As a college student in the 80's I traveled many miles all over the city and her suburbs. I laughed when you said "downhill into town, uphill home in the evenings." I remember dodging around buses in Fairview, then huffing and puffing up the Howth Road, arriving home ravenous and always happy to see a lovely dinner waiting for me. I hope you do reclaim Dublin as your city, because whether we know it or not, Dirty Dublin always catches hold of our spirit. It's part of us and who we are.
All the best, and thanks again for your lovely, memorable words.
Mairead
Yes exactly, am feeling happy about reclaiming dirty Dublin…..it has a special charm I suppose!!!! Thanks for your memories too, we must have passed each other on those bikes!
Now, this one strikes many chords! Beautifully rendered. The lake is waiting here for you!
Jean it's great to know that, many thanks:~))
Lucky you getting to live in the city again! Is that the dome of Rathmines church? Can't remember its proper name but do remember going to Mass there on the rare weekends that I stayed in the city. Remember too the early days of finding my feet, discovering the local butcher and corner shop, making friends, exploring ideas, walking home from parties and gigs as the city was wakening up, falling in love, but always glad to get home, smelling the hawthorn like I'd never noticed before.
Yes Mairead that's Rathmines alright. Looks a bit more haughty from this angle! And yes smelling the Hawthorn, can't wait for Spring this year!
I feel a little intrusive posting a comment here as a non-Dubliner but I do identify with your description of moving around in a city then coming back to the peace and quiet of the country. The latter definitely being my sort of environment. Philippa xx
Thanks Wendy, I think it's mine too having lived in the country for most of my life. And you're not intruding one little bit, lovely to have a visit from you:~))
Enjoyed this post Catherine and that last capture? I felt as if I was in that bedroom looking out! I'm heading to Dublin in September for a week. Rented a little apartment very close to Trinity College campus. As the time gets closer I would love to get some recommendations from you! Bikes are definitely on the list!
Looking forward to connecting with you Robin, and hopefully leading you astray!!
Forgiving and forgetting is something we all have to unload, isn't it? What beautiful images of Dublin and a testament to how time can often be the balm that soothes us into peace. Lovely post.
Thank you so much Barb! What a beautiful saying that time can be the balm that soothes……I love that…..
That last image made me think of Gabriel in my favourite story from James Joyce's The Dubliners.
You write beautifully.
Freda, myself and Jimmy Joyce in the same sentence? All my birthdays must have come at once, many thanks for your kind comment;~))
I enjoyed my visit to Dublin, learning about the history and discovering so many special places within the city…