I lived in Dublin from 1998 to 2002. It was changing fast at that time with a huge influx of foreign labour, coming to ride on the back of the Celtic tiger. But are tigers native of Ireland? Dublin is definitely changing – but is it changing for the better or worse? Have a look at my Dublin photos and decide for yourself.

One big change since my departure is the erection of a 120 metre spike in the middle of O’Connell Street. It is surprisingly striking, though some have questioned the wisdom of putting a very large hypodermic syringe in the area. For more about the spike, click here.

Ha’penny bridge. Undoubtedly the most attractive bridge over the River Liffey. Sadly frequented on a permanent basis by beggars. Not sad that they choose to hang out there, but that Ireland, with its booming economy, has beggars at all.

Trinity College – beautiful buildings as well as being the home of the Book of Kells, an amazing very early religious manuscript. An oasis of calm amidst the roaring Dublin traffic.

The River Liffey is the main river flowing through Dublin. Note the size of the buildings at the side of the river. Dublin is not a normal capital.
Dublin statues

A number of statues appear around Dublin. In this case, the wheelbarrow-pushing Molly Malone. Dubliners, with their great humour, have given nicknames to the various statues with Molly being known as the ‘Tart with the Cart’.

Far more comprehensible than James Joyce, Pat Ingoldsby, a wonderfully eccentric poet who sells his books on the street. Ex TV Star, Pat writes from the heart – sometimes moving, sometimes wickedly funny. Look out for him selling his books of poems on the streets of Dublin. Buy them all, they’re wonderful – as is Pat.
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Where to next?
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