Loose Change

A day that started off with loose change, and ended with Loose Change. Peadar had his first day off in over 6 weeks last Sunday, so we decided to make a day of it. Taking the idea of "saving for a rainy day" literally, we raided our New Tractor Fund jar full of change (after filtering out the American and British coinage) and went for a day out on the town.

The first thing Peadar wanted to do was see the Phil Lynott (lead singer from Thin Lizzy) exhibition in St. Stephens Green. Phil was a (half) black signer from Dublin in the 70's, a true novelty of the era. He was raised by his single mum, who kept all of his letters and notebooks and photos from when we was younger, which were available for viewing. It was an interesting display of Rock 'N Roll.

The next stop was Saba for Thai food and Saki. They had a good selection of gluten-free offerings, which was great for me. I have decided to start another blog that will cover places to eat GF in Dublin, for all of my fellow Coeliacs/ Celiacs out there. It's almost ready to be launched, so I'll keep you updated. 

For dessert we went to Fallon & Byrne, which is kind of like a Whole Foods. There is a wine bar, gourmet deli, grocery store, and even a fancy restaurant upstairs. Pad and I got glasses of port, Eton Mess (my new favorite dessert, besides pavlova, that I have been introduced to in Ireland), and the Sunday Independent. We then spent an hour discussing: why everyone is going topless (Rosanna Davidson, Kate Middleton), why how much people leave in their wills get published in the paper, about how teachers now have to work 40 hours a week (the horror!), and what is the story with government employees viewing copious amounts of porn at work! 

 

Then things got extra touristy when we hit-up Gogarty's for some live Irish music and whiskey. This is probably the most tourist-centric pub in Dublin, and is full of non-Irish people, but is nevertheless a must see on your tour of Dublin. Located in Temple Bar.

I get asked a lot how Peadar and I met. I was studying abroad at Dublin City University in Ireland in 2008, and my American friends and I wanted to watch the Superbowl. It is on really late on a Sunday, so only a few pubs show it, and the pub pictured below, Buskers in Temple Bar, happened to be one of them. Pad's football team also went there for a night out, and the rest is history. Check out an authentic picture of the actual night Peadar and I met. And then 4.5 years later, our 3rd time being back.

 In 2008, with Ciaran, Pad's bro...

UPDATE: New pic of Pad and I the night we met:

...and in 2012, all in love and shiz.

After that, believe it or not the party continued on the train back to Malahide, and into our local pub Gibney's for one more cheeky pint. The band "Loose Change" was playing their usual Sunday night gig, a perfect ending to our grand day out. 

I have lined myself up a very busy fall, as I am a new volunteer coach for the Special Olympics swim team, the NAC Sharks! I have also joined the St.Vincents water polo team (shouts out to K8 the G8, Snorkel, & Moni Babi from WVHS). It remains to be seen whether I will actually survive the training sessions and play in actual matches, especially since I am still swimming with the NAC Masters team, but I'm trying.

And everyone... don't forget, It's Friday. 

Lots of Love.

Keato