Saturday, April 28, 2012

town at night

The other day a friend linked to this list of reasons not to leave Dublin - or 'abandon' it, as she put it. I find it it partonising, to say the least. Chips and alcoholism? Eesh.

However, I went into town last night, on the train, around 8.30. The sun was going down over Dublin Bay and the pale blue sky was lit up with pink and orange. It was beautiful, and in a way the occasional concrete wall obscuring the view was too. In its contrast, its Irishness. It reminded me of the strange alien yet familiar feeling I got from evening trips to Kilbarrack to give grinds when I was in college.

Dublin was sweetly abuzz with tourists and groups of boys smelling of beer and smoke and the promise of Friday night. I passed Doyle's, where I'd had my first drink in Dublin on my 14th birthday, 22 years ago, a brilliant night when I went to see my first Frames gig in the project theatre. One of the friends I met last night was there too, she remembers being introduced to pesto by our host, that night. Pesto and the Frames. Solid :)

On Dame Street I passed a woman on her phone saying 'well, it's good for your self esteem, you know?' It was busy and friendly. Safe to be one of the women walking alone.

I wanted to share it and show it off. Maybe it doesn't hold the same warmth if you're not nostalgic, and you can't look at the tattiness or hear the proliferation of expletives jammed into every sentence that passes you with affection. Or laugh at the fact that some very drunk girl got sick on the night bus and got given out to by the driver, a narky old man who was on first name terms with everyone.

I dunno. It was so nice to go out into town at night. One of my earliest memories is of being in my pram and being pushed through the blue night of Rathmines in the evening. I remember the colour and the night feel of the air. I don't know how young I was, probably I couldn't sleep, god help my mother. I think I still like that same feeling. 

3 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

I loved the link. Frankly, I never got Bono either. Still don't.
And "way better than pilgrims" although truthfully, it may turn out that the Vikings got here WAY before any pilgrims ever did or Christopher Columbus either.
Nice post, Jo. Lovely images of a place I'd love to visit.

Mick said...

After reading your post and then reading the article, I actually felt a little homesick. And I'm from the north!! It's amazing just how similar Dublin and Belfast are. :-D

Jo said...

Ach, I still don't like the post. Not good enough reasons to stay - better for a minibreak! Tell it to the people who can't afford heat and rent...

Thanks, Mary!