Dublin Photo Diary

I didn’t get to see much of Dublin during my 2022 trip, as my work was centered in Belfast. However, I flew in and out of the city, and my photographs capture the rushed moments of my brief time there. A definite highlight was the Brutalist architecture of Trinity College—a memorable glimpse of the city.

 

What did I Buy In Ireland

I spent 10 days in Ireland as part of a long work trip. As usual, I barely had time to shop while I was working. But this time, I made a point of staying one extra day in Dublin just to shop before my flight home. Here’s what I picked up on that final day — with two exceptions: the wool blanket (I couldn’t resist the colors) came from a gift shop at the Giant’s Causeway, and a magnet from Belfast found its way into my collection.

Irish Cheese, Jams, and Crackers from a grocery store

Chocolates

Rhubard Gin 

Korean BBQ Sauces from a Dublin restaurants

Wool blanket from Giant's Rock

Candles

Notebooks

A shot glass

A magnet from Belfast

The Over-Photographed Library of Trinity College Dublin

My version of the famous "shot"

My passion for exploring and documenting libraries, a well-established theme on this blog, has spanned since 2012, taking me to diverse literary havens in at least 10 different countries. The allure of these spaces lies not only in their repository of books but also in their reflection of local culture, providing a unique lens through which I learn about the essence of each place.

However, exceptions arise when libraries transition into overt tourist attractions, a phenomenon I find disheartening. Nothing disappoints me more than encountering a library where the sanctity of touching books is forbidden. To me, the essence of a library lies in its accessibility and the tactile experience it offers. Regrettably, this is precisely the predicament with the Library of Trinity College Dublin. Despite technically functioning as a working library, it has morphed into more of a tourist spectacle where visitors are restricted from interacting with the books. It becomes a place to capture the perfect photograph and swiftly depart, deviating from the genuine essence of a vibrant, accessible literary haven.

All photographs here were taken behind a velvet rope. 

What Did I Eat In Ireland

During my week-long work trip to Ireland, my dining experiences were predominantly confined to hotel meals and pre-selected restaurants. Ironically, the culinary pinnacle of my journey—a remarkable food tour in Dublin—remains undocumented, as I failed to capture it through photographs. Despite this regrettable omission, I must express my pleasant surprise at the exceptional quality of food throughout Ireland. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to savor what I could, and the overall gastronomic adventure exceeded my expectations.

Breakfast foods: top left is my all-time favorite grilled cheese sandwich in Dublin, followed by eggs benedict, English breakfast, and hash. 

Seafood was another wonderful surprise. I had not expected the seafood to be so good in Ireland, and I'm not sure why - it's an island with ample coastline!

Scotch egg was another favorite

After many heavy meals I ended up eating a lot of salads too

Some of my favorite soups

Meat pastries were ubiquitous

Familiar Burgers and fries

I also got to try a Korean fusion restaurant in Dublin and really enjoyed it

Ate many desserts there as well. My favorites were sticky toffee pudding and Murphy's Icecream in Dublin

A few nights I skipped the dinners with the client and ate Indian food alone in my hotel room. It was appalling. I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala from two of the most popular Indian restaurants in Ireland and I have never tasted such disgusting food. The Chicken Tikka Masala was so sweet it tasted like chocolate. Apparently Indian food in Ireland has a ton of sugar added into it. Do you see those crazy bright, unnatural colors of the curry? It was horrible. 

The whisky tasting experience was transformative. I never liked whisky or scotch or bourbon in my life, but after Ireland I learned how to appreciate it. 

Gin was another favorite. We went to many distilleries so I got to try all kinds of gin cocktails.  

Afternoon Tea at The Shelbourne in Dublin

During my action-packed business trip to Dublin and Belfast last year, I seized the opportunity to extend my stay for an extra day in Dublin. As a spontaneous decision on my last day, I treated myself to a delightful afternoon tea at The Shelbourne hotel where I was staying. Gratefully, I managed to secure a spot on the same day, adding a touch of serendipity to my memorable Dublin experience.

The dishware was so incredibly cute that I took more pictures than usual of the plates and dishes. 

It was so crowded I wondered how I managed to snag a table the day of. I felt very lucky. 

Jam, butter, and clotted cream

Tea service included many choices of tea. You didn't have to pick one, you could have three or four versions if you wanted. I chose a Rose tea and a Vanilla tea. 

My biscuits with jam and clotted cream