A Decorated Dublin

Couples danced, hand in hand, swinging their partners to other jigging bodies in front of a stage decorated with the traditional Irish band. People gathered around to see them dance the dance they had known for years.

So, of course, I joined in. Our friend Darragh (pronounced Dara if you will believe it) led us into the center of the dancing crowd. He tapped his toes and heels as the girls and I spun each other around.
Trad Fest is a weeklong festival that takes place in Temple Bar. Short for Traditional, Trad Fest is a combination of events that represent the traditional ways of Ireland, and specifically Dublin. Not only was there live music in the streets, but each pub was decorated with celebration and a classic band. Temple Bar sits between the Liffey (the river that runs through Dublin) and Dame Street. It’s only a few blocks, but it is packed with pubs, restaurants, shops, and smiling faces. However, this past Sunday, the streets of Temple Bar were filled with a parade of coral orange seahorses, giant prawn (who looked more like aliens), blaring bagpipes, floats of trains, and a collection of Irish youth, representing the old of their home.


A group of young girls, about thirteen, with painted faces and shiny teal suits, marched down Dame Street waving a sheer and sequined cloth, representing the water in the Liffey. As I said before, they were thirteen, meaning that they were more embarrassed walking down the main street of Dublin dressed like blue Christmas lights. She encouraged the girls to wave their water cloth with oomph, to smile at the crowds of people around them; she screamed, “This is one of the best things you will ever do in your life!”

To be honest, I think that might be the sentence I have heard most since I have been here. That’s right, even more than “cheers”!