Ireland's vice and virtue

     If you have never read the book "Angela's Ashes" it would be an excellent insight into the effects of alcoholism on those who care about someone suffering that affliction. Surely, no man is an island and our choices impact those around us whether we want it to or not. France and Italy are known for their wine and its consumption. Germany and Ireland are known for beer and its consumption. The #1 tourist activity when you research going to Ireland is "pub crawl" where you spend long evening (or earlier) hours going from pub to pub, with live music available in some places. Guinness (world famous beer company) is a hugely common name found all over the country and has admittedly helped the economy, except for any results of expenses due to alcohol use. As Russ and I walked around a Dublin neighborhood we came upon two teenage girls tucked away on a small side street having a clandestine bottle of some kind of liquor. They weren't homeless or shabby looking. They were simply doing what the culture encourages. Another time, as we were wandering around the city, my foot slipped off the curb of a crowded sidewalk. A taxi driver stopped nearby, rolled down his window and asked with a big grin, "Tipsy already?" Even though he was "joking" and it was early in the day, drunkenness was what first came to his mind. Not only is there a plethora of pubs as well as alcohol available in even small cafes, there are lots of signs for "off license" available, which means you can buy alcohol to take with you rather than drinking it on site.
     Then, in addition to Lotto signs everywhere, there were lots of gaming shops where you can place bets or gamble on whatever is available. They advertise "best odds" and "bookmaking" along with somewhat ironic signs promoting "responsible gambling week". I recognize there are lots of people who go to Las Vegas or spend evenings in casinos for entertainment just as there are lots of people who drink alcohol to relax or celebrate. I guess it's possible to do both within limits to minimize any damage. I just can't help but wonder if fully abstaining from either activity isn't a more guaranteed way to avoid wasting money, causing heartache, and destroying relationships and reputations. There are ways to do those things other than drinking alcohol and gambling but those two activities are not only unnecessary but society would benefit from their absence.
     Opposite these vices, we met only warm, pleasant, welcoming people and our visit to Ireland gave us insights into how long Christianity has been supported quickly supplanting the old Celtic religion of druids. The story of St. Patrick chasing all the snakes out of Ireland is actually a metaphor for him chasing out old pagan beliefs.

Rock of Cashel, ancient stone church and cemetery

Shrines are a common sight

     We went to Trinity College in Dublin where we saw the Book of Kells, an "illuminated" (meaning with intricate drawings and scripts) manuscript of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) written in Latin around 800 AD. There were also a couple other copies of scripture even older. The library where they are stored was started in 1712 and looks like someplace in movies like Harry Potter. We also visited the beautiful Kylemore Abbey which was originally built as an estate by a wealthy man then later became an abbey as home to nuns and a school for girls until it was deemed unsuitable and unsafe for children. Now it is only home for nuns who make chocolates, soap, and worship God, as well as being a tourist spot.