April 2019
So we have limped through the first 6 weeks of life in Ireland, waiting and waiting for Jared to be paid, and trying to get a bank account, and trying to get an address, then trying to get proof of address, then finding that that proof of address is unacceptable, then trying again to get proof of address, then finding that that one needed a date on it and is still unacceptable, and finally, FINALLY, succeeding in opening a bank account, and finally, finally having our first collective paycheck since December.
Phew.
I can sleep again.
This is probably also helped by walking 2.8km to and from work each day, and countless steps in the 8 hours of work, but also due to having money in the bank.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I declared it was time for some adventures, and we have set aside a small amount for an adventuring fund this month!
Our first adventure was to a place called Maynooth. It is in County Kildare, further West from Dublin. Nearly all of the buses that we catch from/to our house go to Leixslip or Maynooth, so I was very curious to see what in fact was at the end of the line. After some brief research, it was discovered that there was a castle in Maynooth, and that was enough information for me – let’s go!
So we caught a bus, about another 30 minutes West of Lucan, although I think we took the meandering one rather than the direct one, we arrived in Maynooth. It is a very picturesque journey along the way. And I’m pretty sure it’s only €2.50 on the bus to most places where Dublin Buses go with a Leap Card, or €3.30 cash fare each way.
We drove further up the N4 and through the delightful township of Leixlip – which, with the presence of Castletown House and the Wonderful Barn, will certainly be another adventure for another time – and then into Maynooth. We got off one or two stops earlier than we needed to, and stumbled upon a train station, and next to it a most stunning waterway, that has a walkway next to it called the Royal Canal Way and is actually part of 144km of canal that link the River Shannon to Dublin.
We went past the Glenroyal Hotel, where I have heard tell of an amazing swimming pool. through the township of Maynooth, cloaked in history and dotted with flowers and greenery throughout. It is a very pretty place indeed.
We turned left and found the castle, such as it was, rather different to my expectations, in ruins directly in front of St Patrick’s College.
Alas, we thought we were in for a guided tour, but it was not to be as these do not start until May, so that just seems like a very good excuse to come back again in a month or so.
We proceeded onto the grounds, and found a stunning culmination of architecture and gardens that adorned the College.
And through this archway to the left we found a courtyard called St Joseph’s Square
I don’t know if this fully does justice to this, but there is my panoramic of the inner courtyard at St Patrick’s College. It is a completely lovely place to meditate and think (although no sunbathing allowed – boo!) with a beautiful cathedral on the other side. There were also some doors through to what looked like dormitories, but Jared wouldn’t let me go sneaking through them, alas.
One of the many church-like buildings had two inscriptions in Latin adjacent to either side of the front doors, and so I had a crack at reading Latin, and discovered I’m pretty good at it – confirmed by Google Translate – an infallible source.
Behind the courtyard and the church was a lush lawn, a monument to the Irish priests from Los Angeles, and the single most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen. I instantly fell in love!
On our full circumnavigation of the College grounds, we also stumbled upon Logic house, where maths, science and music all live under one roof, and then also Rhetoric house, which we also lol’d at.
And there you have it! Our brief interlude at Maynooth, where I discovered I was alright at Latin and fell in love with a tree.
More adventures in the Dublin West/Kildare area include:
So watch this space for more stories!