On June 17, 2023 I celebrated 20 years of living in Italy. It was also my 50th birthday. I didn't spend it in Italy, though. Instead I had the brilliant idea, which is not sarcasm because it was literally brilliant, to buy concert tickets to see Depeche Mode in Dublin on June 14 and invite my twin brother to meet me there. It took him a while to get back to me so I spread the word a bit and by the time June came along I had convinced my husband and daughter (that was easy), my Bestie from college who lives in Geneva (easier than I thought, I'll have to do that more often), as well as my sister and, finally, my twin brother (they traveled together) to come. The Cherry on top was getting to see my friends who live in Dublin, too.
My husband, who is the default Cruise Director at our house, thought I should make a plan for our time in Dublin. He said it was only right seeing as it was my birthday and my idea. He wanted to teach me a lesson: get a feel for how much work it is, understand first hand all that time and effort, appreciate him for all those past trips he masterfully designed. It was the least I could do, and as a teacher I could not turn down an opportunity to get schooled, so I got to work.
Like a DJ carefully preparing that winning wedding playlist, I put together a range of activities, balancing culture and personal growth with crowd pleasers, dinners in interesting venues, and Ukulele Tuesday at the Stag's Head pub. I liked everything. It was amazing. I did not make one plan that I hated doing. I did not complain once during the entire trip, except when I got mad at Google maps, but I had not clearly communicated my expectations. Other than that it was awesome.
The party was a blast, too, but that was because I didn't have to plan it. My bestie chose the place, made the reservation, ordered a cake for us plus the entire pub plus breakfast for the next two days. It was marvelous. Maybe not everyone had the time of their life, but, now that I am fifty, I know that each person creates their own happiness, and it is not my problem if they do not.
In case you're curious, here were the best things about my trip besides being with humans I love. These are in no particular order.
1) Staying in an apartment in Temple Bar.
2) A day trip to Belfast. (Giant's causeway, dark hedges, Titanic museum).
3) Depeche Mode Concert at Malahide Castle, After-party at Crowbar in Temple Bar. Plus there was a raffle and I won a DM Flask!
4) Dinner at a converted bank.
5) Lunch at a converted Church.
6) Lunch at Gravedigger's Pub.
7) National Portrait Gallery.
8) Windmill Recording Studios tour.
9) Ukulele Tuesday at the Stag's Head.
10) Wandering aimlessly and finding live music everywhere.
There are cheap direct flights to Dublin with Ryan air from Trieste or Venice. As far as prices in Dublin, food and drinks are comparable to what you would pay in Trieste, but hotels and apartments are roughly double. With that in mind, I recommend a visit even if it's for a long weekend. Just go. I'll meet you there.
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