Oops! Ireland 2026, Day 1 Plus

In my notebook I wrote "What would your four words be," which was part of a conversation on the radio in the taxi. No idea. Here are a few photos I took in the cab. Already I was gobbling with my camera things that my mind didn't have time to process. And by camera, I mean phone.

Gorgeous red brick.

We dropped off our bags at the hotel and walked across the street to Merrion Square Park. We drank water, sat in the shade and fell in love with the Eurasian Magpie. It was black and white with a flashy green and teal tail. 

Mrguy, ever the guide, knew we were in close proximity to the National Gallery. We slogged over there and had some coffee. It was divine. The cafe sits under a skylight two stories above. This was one of the most delicious lattes I've ever had, and you could tell that the people nearby were related, somehow, to the museum. They just had that look. Made me wistful for aspects of my work that I will miss.

We went for the modern galleries. They had some compelling art, and I can't believe I didn't take any photos in that gallery except this photo of the door. I loved that these scrapes to the previous layer revealed that it was previously a complementary color. 

Notes from my journal indicate that I liked this painting of Katherina Knoblauch. And there was a painting that I described to myself as "Boy Eating Circus People, with Tiny Towns". The tiny towns part I get, because I love paintings with faraway tiny landscapes hovering in the background. I just asked AI to make me a medieval style painting that would have that title.

Then I complained. "That's an illustration. Make me a medieval style oil painting called 'Boy Eating Circus People, with Tiny Towns'". I do like it a little better, even though the jester is feeding the boy. 

Anyhoo -- I did take some photos in the older galleries. This painting was not called "I Pinch You".

And this is St. Augustine's cat. It was painted so tenderly. But I'm pretty sure St. Augustine didn't own a titty bucket, what with him being so pious and all.

Back at the hotel we slept through whatever time dinner would have been, but woke up to have a beer in the hotel bar which had no snacks. Mrguy had his first Guiness 0.0 (on tap). That stuff is delicious. I had something else.

So ends Day 1.