The booming economy seems to have changed this land of the leprechauns and shamrocks as the Irish (with exceptions of course) are no longer the humble 'potato farmers'. Sadly, ethnocentrism has prevailed. As they progress and move up the economic ladder to become affluent, middle-class Irish citizens, the lower menial jobs are now being filled by immigrants from China and South Asia. The discouraging thing is, instead of assimilating themselves into the jolly Irish culture, these minorities stick to their own ethnic communities which appear to fuel the latent racism that I have felt here in Dublin.
Proud in history and tradition, Irish memorabilia can be found anywhere and everywhere including services to track one’s family roots and etymology. The most important Irish symbol appears to be the harp which represents
"Satire is a kind of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own." - J.Swift
Though the summer weather skipped the island country during the few days I was there, my spirits were high. The cold and persistent rain did not stop my walks from Trinity College Dublin in Southeast Dublin to the Christ Church Cathedral in
Above: Sth Great George St.
Above left: Grafton Street; Above right: O'Connell Street
Above left: O'Connell Bridge; Above right: Parnell Monument
Above left: Merrion Street - Georgian townhouses; Above right: Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral
Above: Sunset on the River Liffey with the silhouette background of the Customs House
Irish food, typically soup-stock based and accompanied by spuds, is comfort food to the soul and a huge welcome in such dreary weather. The seafood chowder was the best I’ve had and the traditional Irish stew (of lamb) was heavenly - both savored in traditional Irish restaurants in the famous Temple Bar district.
Above left: Seafood Chowder: Above right: Traditional Irish Stew
