Archive for the ‘Prague’ Category

How The Irish Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

15 March 2007

For those who received the 40 Dublin Reports during our four years living in Dublin, much of this post is from my wife Jules’s 11th report.

“Everyone seems to want to know “How do the Irish celebrate St. Pat’s?” We didn’t really know because last March 17 we were in Prague. St. Pat’s is a very inexpensive time to leave Ireland, what with all the empty planes flying out after dropping off half of Europe in Dublin. This year we stayed and we are glad we did. The mood was great, largely due to a history-making string of gorgeous weather. It’s been sunny and warm for weeks on end.

“In Dublin there is a pretty big parade (not quite like an American one, but creative and fun nonetheless), accompanied by a four day festival (carnival rides, music, drama). The Irish are a bit amazed and slightly worried… (more…)

Posted in American, Australian, Catholic Church, Des Pieri, Desmond Pieri, Dublin, Europe, Holiday, Ireland, Irish, La Fheile Padraigh!, Prague, Spring, St. Patrick, St. Patrick's Day, Weather, Zalle | Leave a Comment »

What I Miss About Ireland

12 March 2007

Taking the advice of Boston Globe columnist Eileen McNamara, I’m spending this day not joining my 15 year old son and his five friends on the slopes of Shawnee Peak in Maine. Rather, as Eileen suggests, I’m sitting by the fire in the lodge.

While my son, his friends, and I hang onto the last vestiges of winter at a cabin in Maine, my wife and my other sons are enjoying a springtime weekend in Dublin, where – as per a previous post – springtime arrives a full two months earlier than in Boston.

Though I’m thrilled to be back in the States after four+ years in Dublin, thinking of my wife Jules and the boys in Dublin reminds me of the many things I miss about Ireland, ranging from the significant to the trivial.

People: It was great to return to the States and our many friends. That said, we left so many friends behind in Dublin. I miss them dearly and I envy the reunions Jules is having this weekend. But I also miss the people in Ireland we did not get to know as friends, the proverbial ‘man in the street.’ Irish people really know how to enjoy life – maybe that’s because, according to The Economist, the Irish enjoy… (more…)

Posted in 5. A Few Blogs I Like, A Better Way?, Boston Globe, Des Pieri, Desmond Pieri, Diep Noodle Bar, Dublin, Eileen McNamara, Food and Wine Magazine, Guinness, Holiday, Ireland, Irish, Lansdowne, Maine, Monday Holiday, Prague, Quality of Life, Ranelagh, Saint Stephen's Green, Shawnee Peak, Spring, The Economist, Weather | Leave a Comment »