Dublin.

On our second day in Ireland, we toured the Dublin Castle and the Guinness Brewery at St. John's Gate. I found the relationship between the Irish people and the Guinness institution fascinating. For example (and here comes the history teacher in me), the brewery was founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness who was so confident in his brewing enterprise, he signed a 9,000 year lease at this location. The Guinness family were great patrons to the city of Dublin, they built housing for employees and poured money into educational institutions. Jobs at the brewery were Grandfathered down through generations; positions were proudly passed from father to son. 

 

 

 The Gravity Bar at the top of the Guinness Storehouse (museum) had the best views of the city, worth the ticket price whether you drink Guinness or not.

I love the charm of Mom and Pop shops like this Butcher and this bakery. I so enjoyed overhearing what the patrons were buying for their evening tea.

 I love the park culture in Europe. The Irish use the term for families meandering through the park as "pram-ulating" derived from preambulating, an old word used in regard to women meeting in the park and pushing their prams (strollers).

 

 These little darlings belonged to the Montessori School on Merrion Square. They were playing tag and jumping rope. All Dublin pre-, elementary and middle schools, public and private, require uniforms. I loved each one I saw.