Student Bloggers
Holidays in Dublin
Date
December 6, 2013
With the holiday season upon us, I reflect on how interesting it is to spend holidays that are so culturally conditioned in us in America, abroad in Dublin. While Christmas is very much in high season abroad in Dublin, Thanksgiving is irrelevant.
When asking other Irish friends what their conception of the American Thanksgiving is, they responded with, "A lot of good food?" or a slightly more politically charged answer. Listening to the various responses from my Dublin peers I realized that Thanksgiving more me was less grounded in the American history inside of it, but more so in the thankfulness imbued in it. Although I am not well versed on the fact, I believe that most countries have a holiday, aside from Christmas, that instills a humbled sense of gratitude in it.
Given my situation of being so lucky to be abroad in Dublin, to be so blessed with a place to live, and with an organization like Arcadia that wanted to provide us with the materials for Thanksgiving, my apartment and I decided to set forth and do so, and turned out brilliantly given that we had only a couple pans, two cookie sheets and a very small fridge!
Another aspect of Dublin holidays I've been able to enjoy, is Christmas, one that I can enjoy along with other Irish citizens. I have never seen a place so enthusiastically decorate for Christmas. Each shopping street, Grafton and Henry, are full of sparkling lights, and holiday sentiments. It is wonderful to feel the excitement for a different conception of Christmas build in Dublin. I am able to witness Irish communities shift into the holiday season, such as my professors, fellow students, neighbors, and Irish friends. Although not entirely exclusive from the American fashion of celebrating, Christmas in Ireland is nuanced, in a way that I can't quite articulate. All I can really say on the matter is that it is unique, wonderful, and cheerful; and makes me feel up to joining in the holiday season! Here are some photos of Dublin's Christmas decorations!