This is the first of what I hope to be several posts about my three days in Dublin in July, 2016.

Unbeknownst to me when I booked this trip, I booked my first three nights in the heart of Dublin’s touristy Tempel Bar. You can find all manners of photos and details about Tempel Bar, and I know I could have participated in dozens of touristy type things. I learned from @MorganJDeane about a literary pub crawl and the amphibian tour. Both were certainly on my list, but due to my state of exhaustion upon arrival, I wandered the district taking in the sites.

I dropped my backpack at the Parliament Hotel where I was staying and set out to see what all the fuss was about. Regrettably, I left my camera in the room as I thought I’d only be gone a short while, take a nap, then head out again later. I should really know better!

It didn’t take long to learn that one only needs to walk about eleventy two steps to pass another pub, so I was in no rush to pop in and have a pint. Plus also I can’t drink beer (stupid gluten). It also didn’t take long to realize that there were very few Irish people in the mix! I have nothing against the touristy stuff, I mean I AM a tourist! But I wanted to talk to locals! I set out on what ended up being what I can only call an awakening.

I’ll spare you all the details about the sites I saw on my way and jump right to the conversation I had with three old fellas in a pub that first night. I wandered down side streets and alleys far removed from Tempel Bar. I couldn’t even BEGIN to tell you where I ended up because I was completely lost. That’s ok though. That’s what exploring is all about.

One particular doorway seemed more interesting than the rest, so I stepped inside. I was hungry again as by this time it was about 7:00 pm and my Irish Breakfast had long since wore off! There were white haired fellas sitting at the end of the bar and they stopped talking and looked at me as I walked in. I gave them my big Deanna smile, said hello and said, “How’s the food here fellas?” It isn’t! came the reply. They pointed me in the direction of a small place three doors down and gave me strict instructions to come back for a drink.

It was kind of a donair place, and the food was fantastic. I had pieces of chicken with incredible sauces, salad, and hot peppers. It was the perfect precursor to the drink I’d planned to have next.

I took this at a pub another day before things got busy :)

I joined the fellas back at the bar and listened to their tales about life in Ireland; specifically the country side as they knew that was my ultimate destination. What a time I had! They ensured I tried every flavour of whiskey on the shelf upon learning I am not a beer drinker, and insisted on paying for it each time. A younger lad tried to join the conversation and was less than respectful. They sent him packing and admonished him for speaking that way in front of a lady. A first in my books and it was so nice to have someone (actually three some ones) stand up for me like that.

One by one the gentleman said good bye until it was just me and what I think might have been the youngest of the bunch. He asked if I’d like to have another drink as he’d like to show me a pub that he thought I might appreciate. We left and walked for a bit until we came to a hole in the wall with stairs leading up. I heard beautiful melodies streaming down the stairs and couldn’t wait to see what awaited!

We stayed here for another hour or so listening to a man sing the most hauntingly beautiful melodies to ever touch my ears. On more than one occasion I felt something stir inside. Stephen (my guide) looked at my eyes, patted my hand, and said to me “Someting brought you here to Ireland Madam. You’ll find it. You’re home now”.