Day 10: Dublin
After so many days and so many sites, it was almost as if Dublin was a let down for us. Maybe it is because Dublin is a big, hectic city, and we are more reflective. Maybe it is because one of things we were looking forward to, the shrine of St Patrick was an Anglican cathedral that reminded us of the one in Canterbury (more of a museum than a cathedral). Maybe it was just because we were tired and got lost while going to a Carmelite mass, so we were walking a ways between it and the bus stops. Maybe it is because the highlight was like Disneyland for beer, the Guiness Storehouse, with electronic displays and lot of sales, instead of a spiritual experience. Regardless, we were ready to leave Dublin this morning for our early flight, 620 AM, to Rome.
It turns out that Dublin is pretty Carmelite. There are three Carmelite run parishes, a Carmelite center, a Carmelite library, two schools, and a university. Maria was happy to say the least. We made it to two of the churches while trying to make it to mass on time. The library was only available by appointment, so even though she wanted to go, it wasn’t possible.
The first church where we thought we could have mass was empty and quiet. It turns out we were at the wrong St Teresa parish, so had to run to find another one with mass available. I assumed, proving the old adage, that St Patrick’s Cathedral in a Catholic country would have mass, but no. Finally, we made it to Our Lady of Mount Carmel just a little late for mass. As can be seen from the photos, it is a beautiful church with multiple shrines, St Therese, St Valentine, St Albert, and Pope St Pius X. Everywhere you look, there is something Carmelite. We spent a good time after mass having some water in the cafe, looking briefly at the history and bookstore, before benediction before heading for an early lunch before our scheduled tour of Guiness.
It turns out that Dublin is pretty Carmelite. There are three Carmelite run parishes, a Carmelite center, a Carmelite library, two schools, and a university. Maria was happy to say the least. We made it to two of the churches while trying to make it to mass on time. The library was only available by appointment, so even though she wanted to go, it wasn’t possible.
The first church where we thought we could have mass was empty and quiet. It turns out we were at the wrong St Teresa parish, so had to run to find another one with mass available. I assumed, proving the old adage, that St Patrick’s Cathedral in a Catholic country would have mass, but no. Finally, we made it to Our Lady of Mount Carmel just a little late for mass. As can be seen from the photos, it is a beautiful church with multiple shrines, St Therese, St Valentine, St Albert, and Pope St Pius X. Everywhere you look, there is something Carmelite. We spent a good time after mass having some water in the cafe, looking briefly at the history and bookstore, before benediction before heading for an early lunch before our scheduled tour of Guiness.
Nico, the navigator, chose another good spot for our late lunch/early dinner, the Hairy Lemon. The food was good and the service was great. We left with just enough time to make our “appointment” for a “tour” of Guiness. As a Guiness drinker, I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit where it was made and see the history. Sadly, it wasn’t as much of a tour, but rather a 7 story museum inside of the world’s largest pint glass. Don’t get me wrong, it was the highlight of Dublin and fun, including learning how to pour our own pints, but it had the feel of Disneyland. Here’s a line for this. Watch a video for that. “Here’s another way that Guiness is advertised and another way you can take something with you from our store.” It was neat being able to walk around the store with a pint of Guiness and no one bats an eye.
As I write this, it is the next day on our way to Rome. We left our BnB at 4:30 this morning. I’m sad to leave Ireland, but not so sad to leave Dublin. Tomorrow our Italian part of the adventure begins. Two night is Rome, one night in San Giovanni Rotondo, one last in Rome, before flying back to London towards home. Pray for us that all goes well .