A Dublin Diary: Concerts, Culture, and Captivating Art
I’m writing to you from the vibrant, yet chilly, city of Dublin, where I’m spending five days filled with music, art, and lots of the Irish charm that makes this city so special. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that my husband and I are big fans of Elvis Costello. You can read my blog about his concerts at the Gramercy, The Power of Music: A Creativity Boost, which we attended in New York City last year. Our main goal for this trip to Dublin was to catch him in concert again, along with the brilliant Steve Nieve, at Vicar Street. It’s a four-concert series, and we've already enjoyed two of the performances, both of which have been absolutely fabulous.
Elvis and Steve: A Musical Journey
There’s something undeniably magical about live music, especially when the performers have decades of experience and a treasure trove of songs. The atmosphere at Vicar Street has felt electric.
Elvis Costello's voice, still rich and powerful, sooths both the heart and spirit as he takes us on a journey through his extensive catalog, creating a wonderful mix of nostalgia and excitement. Alongside him, Steve Nieve’s talent on the keyboards is an absolute highlight. Their chemistry radiates off the stage and left us, the audience, craving more. There’s something intimate about a smaller venue like Vicar Street that makes the experience feel personal. I can hardly wait for the two remaining concerts; I'm sure they won’t disappoint.
Cultural Exploration: Museums of Dublin
But it’s not just the concerts that have made this trip memorable. During the day, we've been immersing ourselves in Dublin’s rich cultural landscape, visiting several museums that showcase art and literature.
One of the standout experiences was our visit to the National Gallery of Ireland. Currently featuring the Women Impressionists, the exhibit highlights the contributions of remarkable female artists, with a particular focus on the stunning works of Berthe Morisot. I was left in awe of her ability to capture light and emotion on canvas. The colors, the brushstrokes, the subjects—everything spoke to me. Standing before her artwork, I found myself lost in the details, each piece telling a story that resonated deeply, revealing the world from her unique perspective.
James Joyce’s Dublin: A Walking Tour
We also visited the James Joyce Center, https://jamesjoyce.ie/, and took a wonderful walking tour: Introducing Joyce’s Dublin. The tour was led by a very enthusiastic graduate student from Spain. As we stopped in front of various historic sites featured in Joyce’s books, she delighted us with additional anecdotes explaining the real life inspiration behind Joyce’s writing.
Walking across St Stephen’s Green several times to access each of our daily adventures has been a highlight as well. I’ve included a photo of the park below.
Exploring Literature at Moli
Today we ventured out to yet another gem—The Museum of Literature Ireland, https://moli.ie/. What a fantastic experience! As a lover of literature, stepping into the museum felt like walking into a treasure trove of Irish literary heritage.
The layout of the museum was remarkably engaging. Each section was thoughtfully designed to guide you through the history of Ireland’s literary giants, including the likes of James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Maeve Binchy and many others. I particularly enjoyed the multimedia features—interactive audio recordings and fascinating video presentations that brought the stories and authors to life.
One feature that stood out was an exhibit dedicated to the storytelling traditions of Ireland. It was both nostalgic and invigorating to see how stories have been woven into the very fabric of Irish culture, with folklore and modern literature coexisting beautifully. If you ever find yourself in Dublin, visiting Moli is a must.
Looking Ahead
As I sit in this cozy café reflecting on our experiences, I feel grateful for the mix of live music and cultural explorations. It’s amazing how music and art can sweep you away, creating lasting memories in a city that feels so alive.
That’s it for now. See you next week.
xo,
Anne
St Stephen's Green, Dublin
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
