I know I’ve been writing a lot about Dublin lately, but that speaks to the vitality of Irish culture. We may be in a recession, but there is still free arts and culture to enjoy throughout this great city.
This past Friday evening was Culture Night in Dublin. Over 120 organizations, including Poetry Ireland where I work, opened their doors until late to provide free culture throughout the city. Everywhere from art galleries to the Guinness Storehouse had something planned, and luckily, it wasn’t even raining.
Dublin and the River Liffey at Night
Poetry Ireland planned an open mic event at the Unitarian Church on St Stephens Green. The 5 minute time slots from 6 – 11pm quickly filled, and people took to the podium to share their work. Short stories and poetry were read, there were musical interludes and a comedic MC to keep the whole evening running.
The interest in the written word I experienced that evening was remarkable, as people wandered in and out of the church to listen to a reading or two and continue on to see what other organizations had to offer. Afterwards, I was thinking Culture Night should really be extended into Culture Weekend, and include events on Saturday afternoon, staggered into Saturday evening. Or how about a culture night one Friday every month?
Dublin may be known as an expensive city, but not if you know where to look. All events for Culture Night were completely free, and some offered a glass or two of complimentary wine.
I don’t usually write about poetry on this travel blog, but Culture Night deserves a round of applause from those of us that got to participate, or people who might make their travel plans next year around this great event.
At the open mic, one of the three poems I read was about the recession. The economic downturn has forced us all to be a bit smarter with our money, and to seek out free entertainment. One great form of free entertainment that is popular in Dublin and Ireland in general is going for a swim in the Irish Sea.
Swimming Spot in Dalkey, South County Dublin
It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year it is, or even the status of the weather. Plunging into the cold sea supposedly has great long term effects on your immune system, making it stronger over time. It is also just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, getting out of the city and to the water’s edge.
Here’s the poem, entitled ‘Waste’ and here’s to free poetry, culture, art, and entertainment.
Waste
And now we have learned to reuse plastic bags
to pack our own lunches and turn down
that expensive afternoon coffee. These savings
are sure to add up and on Friday
you need not feel guilt about a bottle of red wine:
some pleasures must remain.
When you roast a chicken, pick leftover meat from bones–
the dark kind. Tear the meat and save it for a soup
hearty with cabbage, carrots and rice.
We are discovering sustenance. Learn to boil
the carcass with aromatics to make your own stock.
Wake up early on Sunday, before clouds roll in
from the west. After breakfast make your way to the sea.
The ladder will be waiting and if the tide is in
you won’t have to wade out. Skip the final step and drop
into the surf. The wind will feel warm on your skin after.
A sensation free of charge.
