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Fáilte go hÁrainn
Official Guide to the Aran Islands

Havel’s Place in Dublin

Today I’d like to tell you about my new favorite place in Dublin. As I am Czech and I live in Dublin, 
the international day of human rights made my day today. I was so proud to be part of opening the first Havel’s place in Europe – Dublin, st. Patrick’s park, Dublin Ireland.

Havel's Place in Dublin
Havel’s Place, St. Patrick’s park, Dublin

Since today if you enter the St. Patrick’s park by the cathedral you get to see two benches which are designed to bring people into conversation and discussion. It is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Václav Havel was my hero. I grew up in the 80.ties and 90.ties in a new democracy forming state the Czech republic and work of Vaclav Havel was always very fascinating for me. I was inspired by his life, importance and his kindness. The person who never gave up his fight for freedom and resisted even though he had the chance to leave. I am fully aware of the difference between the life I have and my parents had. No freedom of traveling or speech and the propaganda all together caused to make people think less and be afraid of the war and believe in the great ideology.
One day as a proud Czech I will tell my children about people like Vaclav Havel. I will also tell them about how Ireland helped me realize what I have. That’s why I am delighted to write about such and important event.

Havel's Place in Dublin
Sign

The fact that Havel’s Place will be opened in my beloved Dublin where I have lived in the last five years made me really excited.
Havel’s Place is a bench for two people to bring them in a discussion. The seats are really cosy and the table is decorated with Vaclav Havel’s word “Truth and love will win against lies and hate one day”.  The glass hearts are typical for Mr. Havel, he used to use them in his signature, lime tree in the middle is the national tree. My big thanks to all the team to put so much afford in this project because the idea only came up a couple weeks ago after opening the first Havel’s Place in the USA.

Havel's Place in Dublin
Four important man

Havel’s Place is designed by Borek Sipek (on the left at the back), for me personally a very important designer, Czech origin and a close friend of Vaclav Havel. Borek Sipek did incredible work on the castle of Prague in the 90.ties together with Václav Havel. He is an architect and a designer.

The actual idea to have Havel’s Place in Dublin was conceived by Bill Shipsey (on the right at the back) on behalf of Amnesty International. The city of Dublin, Czech embassy, Irish Skoda and friends of Vaclav Havel supported this idea and it was opened as a second Havel place in the world. The next one will take place in Barcelona and I believe there will be more.


The opening was accompanied by three speeches. First from Bill Shipsey about the importance of Vaclav Havel’s fight and the connection with the park for example: to be surrounded by lots of great Irish writers at the back of St. Patrick’s park is a really convenient place for such a great playwright. The lord mayor of Dublin (on the right sitting) mentioned that the city Dublin is honored to have such a place and mentioned the great work the city council did on this project in such a short time period. Last speech was held by Mr. Karel Schwarzenberg (sitting on the left) who was a former adviser of Mr. Havel and a close friend. He was delighted and thanked to the city of Dublin on behalf of the Czech republic.  I was personally really delighted to see him there.

Havel's Place in Dublin
People who attended 
As you can see this little Czech gathering in the heart of Dublin was full of people who came to remember this great person who was also known as the last Czechoslovak and the first Czech president. I remember my grandfather had his picture at home after the Velvet revolution. I will always keep a piece of Vaclav Havel with me. 

If you have time and you go to see the St. Patrick’s cathedral, make sure you pop in to see the little place and sit down. I hope it will bring you peace and good spirit as it did to me today. Big thanks again to the Amnesty International, Czech Embassy, Dublin city council and friends of Vaclav Havel for this gift! 

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Little day trips around Dublin …the North side

Little day trips around Dublin ...the North side
Clontarf bay walk 

The capital city of Ireland has lots of little hidden places where you see many nice things and easily spend a day having a picnic or walking around & enjoy the atmosphere of Dublin. I love Dublin as much as the west coast so I think it’s about time to give you a little bit more info about the metropole. Make sure you have enough time for Dublin while planning your trip.

Little day trips around Dublin ...the North side
the ship is going to Dublin port 

I would like to start with North Bull island in Clontarf in Dublin. The bus leaves city centre very often, you can ask the bus driver where to get off. It’s also lovely to cycle along the bay side, which  takes about 45 minutes from the city centre. Clontarf  is a coastal suburb on the northside of Dublin, Ireland, located in Dublin 3. It is most famous for giving the name to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 during which Brian Boru, High King of Ireland defeated the Viking invaders. This battle, which extended to districts over several miles, is seen as marking an end to the Irish-Viking Wars.

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Kite surfing on North Bull island beach 

I think this is an ideal destination for families, people with dogs, kite surfers or just to take the granny out on the beach by car. You have to cross a bridge and walk towards to the statue, where the sand dunes and beach start. Ideal picnic place complemented with wooden benches, which offer nice sea view. You can also have a swim if you like, many winter swimmers practice there every day. You can walk really far along the beach. The industrial view is kind of cute, I enjoy it because it’s a face of Dublin. I love when the sun sets over there and you see the Pigeon towers getting
darker. The high or low tide have their magic so enjoy!

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Howth lighthouse

Another great destination for everybody is Howth. It is on a peninsula of the same name at the north of Dublin Bay. Originally just a small fishing village. You can either take dart or bus from the city centre. I love to take a bus up to Howth summit and walk back along the cliffs of Howth. It’s an easy walk and you can do it even with children. Just walk up the hill from Summit Inn and you will get to a parking place, where you can see the map. Plenty of picnic places and space for your children to play. Howth itself has nice pier and a lighthouse. There is lots of shops where you can buy fresh sea food .

Little day trips around Dublin ...the North side
The Ireland’s eye, where the birds hatch 

Another great day to spend out is to take a boat  to Ireland’s Eye island. This is a great chance to observe the life of birds hatching there. If you get lucky you get to see Puffin hunters in action. Remember do not get too close to the birds when their little ones are growing up because they simply don’t like it. The boats leave every 30 minutes but only in good weather, so check it before you go. I hope that these tips will make your days here in Dublin and you will enjoy your stay in the capital. Good luck

Little day trips around Dublin ...the North side
Puffin hunters hatching

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Woman of Aran


I’m Donna and I work for Tourism Ireland in Sydney having worked my way across the world with the company after a couple of stints in our offices in both Frankfurt and Paris. I love to cook, eat, travel, take photos, walk and play tag rugby. A couple of months ago I travelled to Inishmore on the Aran Islands for what must have been my fourth day t…

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Visit Cobh, Co. Cork with Orlaith


Orlaith (pronounced Orla) Mc Carthy is Tourism Ireland’s Public Affairs Executive based in Dublin, but she’s originally from Cobh, Co. Cork. Orlaith enjoys politics, baking and exploring new places.

Visit Cobh, Co. Cork with OrlaithCobh is such a wonderful place to visit and it is even more spectacular when the sun is shining. Having lived away from my home town, Cobh…

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A tourist in my own county


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Connemara loop – a drive through Joyce county

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Maam 

The Connemara loop is just a really beautiful way how to get to know the Joyce county. You can do it in one day but you might feel sad driving through all the beauty only for one day. Anyway this is the map of the Connemara Loop , have a look & think about the journey yourself. Every spot is worth stopping.

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Lough Corrib 

Unfortunately you won’t be able to do this trip
on a bus because there is not much public transport around this area. You can try hitchhiking if you want. People are very friendly over here so it might just work for you. We drove from Galway to do the Connemara loop and started in Maam cross, which is a beautiful spot and had a pint of Guinness in the Maam village, tasted really good.

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
On the way to Leenane village 

Driving further towards to Leenane village will be very pleasant because you’ll see lots of lakes and turf hills. This area always makes me think about the famine times, because you can really see that the people of Ireland had nothing else than potatoes. Life must have been tough here.
The road will bring you to one of my favorite parts of Connemara – Leenane village & Killary fjord – the link is to another post of this blog especially dedicated to Killary fjord. Make sure to stop here. The Leenane village & its surrounding is just breathtaking. Killary fjord is the only fjord in Ireland so have enough time to see it.

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Kylemore abbey
Driving from Killary fjord will take you to the Kylemore abbey. Kylemore is a home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine order. Don’t hesitate to visit this place because the Victorian gardens are full of seasonal plants, gazibos and lovely benches with beautiful views. Just a bit further down there is Connemara national park. A unique spot in the heart of Connemara with lots of hiking possibilities.  I might repeat myself again but don’t miss it.

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Overviewing the Atlantic ocean 

You can now choose how you want to go back, either follow the map or just drive along the coast. Both ways have their own beauty. The inland way is stunning, you will be passing the twelve pins and see the marble mines. The coastal way via Cliffden reveals the stunning coast so you decide. I hope you will love Connemara as much as I do. Enjoy.

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Overviewing the Killary fjord

Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Lettergesh beach
Connemara loop - a drive through Joyce county
Driving towards Galway

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Lots to Love in Limerick


Quick Bio: Roisin here! I’m lucky enough to say that my job for the last three years has been telling people how amazing Ireland is. Now I have the chance to let you in on Ireland’s best kept secret; my native County Limerick. Lots to Love in Limerick

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Two Wheels Good


Quick Bio: Aileen here, I’m from Co. Kerry and work for Tourism Ireland in Amsterdam. I love cooking, travelling and cycling – I own five bikes, and it’s still not enough! I love getting back home to fresh mountain air and my mother’s brown bread. @aileenverykeen

Two Wheels Good

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One of the most noticeable changes I’ve…

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