Ryan in Dublin
I'm in the middle. These are other participants on the program.
Buckley Hall
This is the location of my apartment, Buckley Hall, located on Lower Buckingham Street on the North Side of Dublin. The location is ideal; it's a 3 minute walk from Connolly Station, Dublin's main transportation center. It's also a 15 minute walk from Temple Bar, the night-life hotspot of the city.
My Living Room
The living room of the apartment is the main gathering point for my roommates and I. Here we hang out, share dinners, and discuss our day. The TV gets three channels, but there is absolutely no reason to ever turn it on.
My Bedroom
This is my bedroom. The room is extremely sizable (larger than my room at home) and contain two closets. The balcony of my room is my favorite part. It is ideal for people watching or just hanging out and reading.
My View
Here is the view from my balcony. The picture is a bit deceiving, but there is actually much more to see than in the picture itself. Right down the street is Amiens - the street that takes you directly towards the city center.
My Hallway
This is the hallway to the apartment. The apartment is large - 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The living situation is ideal: while you are still able to maintain a desired sense of privacy, there is always someone around to talk to.
My Commute
Here is the first sight I see daily on my way to work. This is Amiens Street, looking South towards the river. The green building in the picture is the bank building. Directly to the left is Connolly Station.
Eden Quay
Here is Eden Quay, the main street following the river on the North Side of Dublin. In the morning it is a bustling street. In the afternoons it is less crowded. It is hands-down my favorite place in Dublin to go for a run. At night, a run on the river is calming and scenic.
Eden Quay II
Here is another picture of Eden Quay (on the side of the street closer to the river). In this picture, you can see the O'Connell Bridge, the main bridge leading into the city centers on both the North and South Side, and what's commonly known as the Heineken Building (due to the fact that the large Heineken lights turn on at night).
Grafton Street
This is Grafton Street - the most popular shopping area in Dublin. This street has several designer stores, along with interesting, rare stores along side streets. It is a great place to do some shopping, and with the alleyways located everywhere around the street, it is a fun away to discover and associate yourself with the city.
Grafton Street II
This is the end of Grafton Street, one of the best areas in the city. Located directly next to the Luas train stop, it conveniently situated next to a large shopping mall, the Gaeity Theater (which puts on live performances), and St. Stephen's Green - the most beautiful park in the city center.
The Luas Tram
This is the Luas – the main tram that goes from the city center to the out regions of the city. I work at Sandyford, which is the last stop on the Luas. The Luas is perfect public transportation – it’s clean, cheap, and stops at several convenient places. There are 2 Luas: the green line, located on the South Side of the city, and the red line, located on the North Side. A round trip ticket from one terminating end stop to the other is under 4.50 euros.
My Commute II
Here is my final stop before arriving at work – Sandyford. It is a business district area on the far South end of the city. Here you will find many young professionals and the Irish headquarters for several large companies, including Microsoft, American Airlines, and Vodafone.
Butt Bridge
Here is the Butt Bridge, unofficial known as the Guinness Bridge. Note the large the support pillars in the shape of large Guinness drafts. This city is, understandably, absolutely crazy for the brew.
Dublin Castle
This is Dublin Castle – one of the oldest areas in the city. The Castle was finished in 1230, nearly 800 years ago. The Castle is quite a sight to behold, but don’t overlook the beautiful garden situated behind the building.
The Four Courts
This is the Four Courts, located on the North-West side of the city. The Four Courts is the location of the Irish Supreme Court, High Court, and Dublin Circuit Court. It is extremely common to see local judges and politicians patronizing the pubs next to and across from the building.
Spire of Dublin
This is the Spire of Dublin – a 400 foot, stainless steel monument located in the main shopping area on the North Side of town. It is about a 7 minute walk from my apartment, and, other than being a truly impressive piece of architecture, serves as the a perfect meeting spot in the city.
Spire II
Another picture of the Spire, looking North from the South Side of the city, over the river.
River Architecture
The architecture along the river is breathtaking. The building are built in such a way that their vibrant colors bounce right at you on a sunny day. The small bridges that are close to the docklands are incredible to go for a run across in the afternoon.
Beckett Bridge
. This is one of my favorite sights in the city: The Samuel Beckett Bridge, situated next to the Convention Center Dublin. The bridge opened up in 2009 and is an innovative design. It is intended to resemble the image of a harp lying on its side.
Kylemore Abbey
. Other than Dublin, there is much to do in Ireland. Galway and Connemara are just a three hour bus ride away, and round-trip tickets are usually less than 20 euros! Here is a picture of Kylemore Abbey, nestled within the mountains in the Connemara region.
