Ireland

I had a fantastic time in Dublin. Too be honest, I was only really looking forward to go because it was dirt cheap to go and my friends were also going. But it ended up being an exceptionally good couple of days.

I had no background history or idea of Ireland other than some basic historical things I learned through studying British history. Ireland is a very unique place that is trying to establish its identity. For me, it gives an idea of what Scotland would potentially be like if it was independent.

We got to the aiport and took a taxi to downtown Dublin. A river splits the city in half. Where I was staying was right across from Christ Church, one of the oldest chruches in Dublin. Down the street was saint pats directly south, while the Guinness Brewery was directly West. Trinity College was West about two blocks.

We went to the Guiness factory that afternoon. I had never done a full brewery tour and it was super cool. It went through all the processes of creating Guiness draught, as well as Guiness brand history. Along with various testing pints along the way up, you get one free pint at the top in a gravity bar that overlooks all of Dublin. You can basically see every monument and it was a great way to see general stuff about the city.

That afternoon some friends and I went to Saint Patricks, the oldest Anglican church in Dublin. In it was various memorials to famous Irish persons, military groups, and events. My favorite part was the grave of Jonathan Swift, the famous writer. They also had his skull there, along with several death masks and originals of some of his works. Later we went to Dublin castle, which we could see from our hostel.

That night we went to the famous temple bar district. Temple bar itself was amazing. It was like a pub, but more rowdy, obviously magners, and amazing live music. One of the top five bars I have been in here so far.
The next day we went to see the Prime Minister's office and Cabinet rooms, which was really cool. Got a first hand lesson in Irish History and famous leaders. The office itself was very pleasing architectually. I than went to St. Stephen's Green which had a lot of memorials and takes up a good chunck of the city. Afterwards, I wandered around Trinity College and went to the library to see the Book of Kells. Afterwards, they showed off their old books collection which is in a massive hallway at the top. One of the my favorite things i have seen here in Europe.

That afternoon some friends and I went to see a Gaelic Hurling and Gaelic Football match, the all-county games, at Croke Park, sight of the famous the Tipperary Massacre during Bloody Sunday. I have to say both of the sports are amazinginly fun to watch. I also got a good sense of how Ireland is trying to seperate itself culturally from the UK. It really is a national pride thing.

Once I got back, I had a great last week at Parliament. I got to say some words to Jack Straw, who did not respond (it was right after his PMQ disaster), meet up with a represenative of Cancer Research UK for ovarian cancer, and I got a chance to kind of run the office. I had a great time with my lads at work, and got a chance to eat in Strangers with Nadine, as well as see some private quarters that showed an entirely different side of Westminster. I actually heard someone in the area who needed to leave a message with Lord Ashcroft. Amazing.

This weekend I went to the British Libary which was incredible and less than ten minutes from me. I also got a chance to revisit the British Musuem. Got a chance to see a lot of artifcacts I had not seen.


All in all here is a list of all the things of significance I have seen in London and Europe, partly so I do not forget and partly so you know where I have been and maybe want to see them in the future, somethings on the list will be things I am doing this week.

Service at Westminster Abbey
Play at the Globe Theater
Edinburgh Castle
Arthru's Seat in Edinburgh
Saw David Hume Grave
Saw Adam Smith's place of residence
Saw Hollyrood Palace
Visited Scottish Parliament
Saw Scottish Monument
Walked across Tower Bridge
Went to the Top of Monument
Kings Cross 3/4
Went to Brick Lane
Went to Portobello Market
Tour of Notting Hill sights
Buckingham Palace
Belgravia Tour
Saw the Ritz
Went to Bath and Stonehenge
Saw Roman walls of original city
Ate on Fleet Street
Went to LSE lectures
Went into House of Lords and House of Commons
Walked in each special area for each part of the house
Saw David Milliband, Caroline Flint, David Cameron, Jack Straw, Kenneth Clarke's Office, David Gauke's office, Gordon Brown's office, Alistair Darling, Nick Clegg, and Andy Burnham
Ate in most bars in Westminster
Saw Catedral Mallorca
Visited Oxford-Went up the Tower
Christ Church, many colleges, Bodelian Libary, Oxford University Press
Saw the incomplete monument in Edinburgh, saw the famous Dog
Trinity College Library
Prime Minister's office in Ireland
LSE library
British Libary
British Museum
Hampstead Heath
Hyde PArk rowed on the Serpentine
Green PArk
Parliament Hill
Met Jon Bercow
Saw lectures in Parliament
The opening of the house with the mace
Westminster Hall
UK Supreme Court
Trafalgar Square
Camden Town
Stamford Bridge
Wembley Stadium
Emirate Stadium
China Town
Saw Billy Elliot
Saw Les Miserables
Gaelic Football and Hurdling
Bank of England
Bank of Ireland
Went to Soho
Big Ben tour
Parliamentary Archives