My Trip to Ireland

About a month ago, my friend John Cohn, asked me if I wanted to go to Ireland for four days.  It sounded a bit crazy - but he had won a trip to Dublin - everything included.  I said why not and he told me the only stipulation was that I couldn't bring a thing - nothing - nada.  So, last Saturday, off we went to the airport - with nothing but the clothes on our back - and a tube of lipstick tucked in my pocket!  When we arrived in Dublin, our cab driver Seamus asked us where our luggage was...we told him we didn't bring any.....he laughed so hard and said in his "turty" years of driving a cab, no one had ever arrived from America without a bag.  He immediately began calling his friends and family members and relaying the story - keeping one eye on the road and laughing all the while.  Once the novelty had worn off - he dropped us off at O'Neals Pub, in the center of town and we went in and had ourselves a hearty Irish Breakfast.

Next stop,  we visited the Guinness Storehouse - which completely changed my idea of what an exhibition should be - ancient, authentic building, large, readable type, interactive and clear sound.  I was so inspired!  Learning to pour a pint and drinking Guinness in the Gravity Bar was also a treat.  Throughout the week,  we visited the Jamison Distillery, Dublin Castle, Trinity College and St. Patricks Cathedral.  Oh...and we shopped for a few necessities - a change of clothes and some walking shoes!

One morning, we woke up early and walked over to Adam's Auction House - next door to the Shelbourne Hotel.  We registered our names and picked up a paddle - hoping to find some old textiles in Dublin.  Within minutes of the auction starting, a spoon came up for sale.  It was a  George II Irish Hanoverian Pattern Hash Spoon - 1754 - and sold for 12,000 euros!  Finally, a textile came up that I fell in love with - unfortunately it was upholstered to a 19th century English settee. I snapped a few photos of the print - which I think would make a beautiful pattern in a quilting collection.
It was a fun four days in Dublin - we walked all over - were inspired by everything - just the kind of break I needed!