DUBLIN, IRELAND

NUMEROUS TRIPS TO DUBLIN

Updated post: Dublin – October 2025

Train from Belfast to Dublin. Kicked off the day with two film meetings. One for coffee at Dublin Castle, the second drinks at my fave Cafe en Seine. My two Ireland based projects come to life. I spent so much time here with my son and his GF, now fiancee. Weird they’re not here. Tomorrow, the mamas reunite.

For hotel recs: https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad/dublin (small commission received if booked through me)

Dublin Castle

Two of my favorite Dublin bars

After a drink meeting at Cafe en Seine, I took myself next door to my favorite colorful bar for a proper whiskey sour at 37 Dawson. (Both on Dawson Street).

37 Dawson Street

Dublin – the Wynn Hotel

My maiden name is Wynn. For a laugh I’m staying at Wynn’s Hotel in Dublin. I just ate at the Wynn’s Carvery… Saints and Scholars Lounge I should add. It’s Thanksgiving here everyday. No wonder I’m obsessed with a Sunday roast. It’s in my blood! https://expedia.com/affiliates/dublin-hotels-wynns-hotel.OPjgbKr (small commission received if booked through me).

Dublin Night – Slice of Life

I was filming a night video of the Liffey River which divides the city of Dublin, on my way back to my hotel when a “homeless druggie” woman approached me and asked if I could help her (in the most gorgeous Irish accent). Now I’m very guarded and savvy and generally don’t engage. But for some reason she captured me with her charm. She said her tent had been stolen and “to be perfectly honest with “yous”, I need cigarettes, they’re all that’s keeping me clean”. My immediate nurturer response was, “Oh, that’s so unhealthy!” She shrugged and I realized cigs vs drugs.

We started walking and talking. She has a 21 year old son she doesn’t want seeing her like this. The mother in me thought… how sad! It’s so easy (and for safety, necessary, to ignore people on the street). But each one has a human story. We walked to the shop. I needed water. I bought her the cigarettes. I asked if she’d like something to eat. She grabbed a Twix. I’m like no! Something healthier. We had a laugh and she got a yogurt. We left together. She thanked me as if we were friends, and gave me a big Irish hug. I told her I hope she can reunite with her son soon. I’m not going to forget her.

The next day I enjoyed a full day out with DIL’s mother. What fun! Drinks, sushi (in Dublin!) and browsing the Asian market. I love having an Irish de facto family 🙂

Wynn’s Saints and Scholars

But first, a full Irish!

The moms

grand finale – Irish coffee!

Dublin – St. Stephen’s Green

After saying goodbye, I strolled through the beautiful autumn leaves of St. Stephen’s Green, with all the memories flooding through of past Dublin visits.

Dublin – “Dine Alone”

Then it was time for “Dine Alone”, my favorite activity, at my favorite Matt the Thresher seafood restaurant a few blocks away. Everything is walkable in Dublin.

Dublin – Semester Abroad 2016

Dublin holds such a special place in my heart. I started coming with my son in 2016, just after my “shocking marriage separation” took place, and my son was going on a Semester Abroad to Dublin. I took the opportunity to go with him to settle him in (after I moved my daughter into her freshman year at USC, and I became an official Empty Nester). We took a side trip before school started to Northern Ireland: Belfast and Derry. (Where we had one of the worst food poisoning episodes of our lives. I called it the Curry Cleanse of Derry).

https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad/dublin (small commission received if booked through me)

curry cleanse…not good!

Son at UCD

By 2017 my son decided to transfer permanently to UCD to finish his chemical engineering degree, and continue his relationship with his Irish girlfriend (who I immediately became close to, and her family as well). This led to many more trips to visit. Before school started that semester, he and I took the fateful trip to Edinburgh where I ended up meeting the “Rogue” (see Edinburgh post).

The mamas

Mother/Son first trip to Dublin

The Last Thanksgiving

We even had an odd family Thanksgiving (the last ever) with my husband (while still separated) and daughter in a cute Airbnb in the heart of Dublin, where we cooked a goose instead of a turkey. That was the beginning of throwing traditions to the wind!

The Goose

My whole world right here

Son’s Graduation 2019

2018 included even more trips and adventures to Ireland. By 2019, my son had graduated but added on a Masters. My parents and I were able to join and celebrate his university graduation. My “husband” (as we now were in the thick of a contentious divorce) was there on his own, doing his own thing. One of many awkward, difficult situations that comes with the Divorce Territory. We all managed to celebrate the big moment in our son’s life.

Giant’s Causeway

My parents, son and his girlfriend, took a memorable trip to Northern Ireland including Belfast (separate post), Giants Causeway, and more. That ended up being my parents last international trip as the pandemic was fast approaching unbeknownst to us at the time.

Galway and the Cliffs of Moher 2019

I enjoying taking excursions around Ireland including the stunning Cliffs of Moher. I attended the Film Fleadgh (festival) in the summer in Galway.

Dublin March 2020

My last trip was early March 2020. I visited Newgrange with my son, and bought the triskelion necklace I’ve never taken off. Little did we know we wouldn’t see each other again due to the pandemic and travel restrictions until… Zanzibar! Six months later.

see the triskelion in the rock

still wearing this four years later

Back in 2021

It was such a joy to make it back finally in late 2021. My son had remained the duration of the pandemic studying, working, and living with his girlfriend’s family. I was so grateful for them being there for him, half a world away. I met him once in Bangor (Northern Ireland). I went briefly again in summer 2022 to greet my son after his 4 month cycling adventure alone through West Africa.

Fun and Games in Bangor

2024, Back in Dublin!

Now, April 2024, here I am! The memories have flooded back. My son is now engaged to the same lovely Irish young woman, and they’re living in Texas. Strange to be here without them, but I’m really soaking up the memories, and realizing what a different person I am now.

Love a whisky sour in Dublin!
Met my son’s friends up arrival.

I’m also deeply missing my dear friend Brett, the Last Big Ride. On his layovers as a United captain, I met him a few times when we crossed paths. Shelbourne oysters. Even a night out with him and the Irish fam. He would take my son out for dinner when I was back in California. It meant so much to get a photo of them together.

Ireland will always be a special place for me. Fortunately, it looks like I have an Irish family of my own now! I am lucky. I had the opportunity to spend an evening full of food and drinks, laughs and banter, at their “gaff” (Irish home), full of the craic (fun).