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An Art-Filled Winter Getaway in Dublin

  • Writer: Danielle Dybiec
    Danielle Dybiec
  • 6 days ago
  • 3 min read

"If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way." — Seamus Heaney, Irish poet & Nobel Laureate

 

It may not be the sunniest winter getaway, but here in Ireland I'm cheerfully warmer than friends and family back home on the east coast. I departed New York on Thursday night, well ahead of the weather thankfully! I absolutely love off season travel, and while Ireland in January scares tourists off for being rainy, it's only drizzled here and there since I arrived. I only opened my umbrella twice. Each attraction has been delightfully uncrowded, which is the best reason for off season travel - along with the prices.

 

The sale Globus had for this Irish Escapes tour was too good to refuse, and I arrived three nights early to enjoy TradFest, Ireland's largest traditional Irish music festival. I went to three performances, all now on my list of favorite shows, and I posted some clips on Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram. Something magical happens in the air when Irish music is shared live. And from stories the artists told about the songs, I learned in unexpectedly intimate ways more about Irish culture, history, and Irish people in general. Should I plan a Nine Muses Travel group trip to Ireland next January for TradFest?

 

Continuing with my trip's musical theme, I visited the Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience, which was worth it just to hang out in U2's old practice room, its walls now covered in platinum, gold, and limited edition records and paraphernalia. Thin Lizzy's mom donated a lot of cool things to the museum too.

 

I also fit into my weekend the world premiere Abbey Theatre production of Dublin Gothic, an incredible historic fiction with over 100 characters, plus a few leisurely hours admiring the National Gallery of Ireland. where I discovered the Irish stained glass artist and illustrationist Harry Clarke. He was part of the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement, and as we traverse Ireland, I'm going to use this list of his glass windows in churches like a scavenger hunt. I'm learning a lot about Ireland through the arts on this trip!

 

I visited EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum too, and it's a must-see. It tells Ireland's historical presence around the world in entertaining videos and engaging exhibits. You enjoy yourself so much you don't realize how much information you're absorbing. It's kid-friendly and great for families. I liked their gift shop and got this sweatshirt in the photo above. The Irish word translates to "chaos." It felt appropriate for the time, but in defiantly optimistic pink; I believe great things can emerge out of chaos.

 

The photo was taken at the Guinness brewery and storehouse on last night's optional Globus tour excursion. When I was in Dublin thirty years ago, I was put on antibiotics by the Dublin airport emergency medical office after almost bursting an eardrum on landing (yeah, don't fly congested), and I could only look forlornly across the river at the Guinness complex, sadly wishing I well enough to go. Well, I finally made it! It was worth the wait and so delicious, and the best way to celebrate my return to Dublin. That's me emulating one of their advertising slogans: "Guinness makes you strong!"

 

This morning we headed off to Ireland's west coast, Galway, and the 668-foot-high Cliffs of Moher above the Atlantic. The rugged coastline of County Clare has inspired artists, poets, and scientists for ages, and I can't wait to share more about it with you in Muse News next week. In the meantime, follow along with me in Ireland on Nine Muses Travel's Facebook and Instagram, where I post daily. Sláinte!

Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.

Danielle Dybiec

Founder & President





 

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