Temple Bar

Welcome to Temple Bar!

It is a very popular part of Dublin, and seems to be busy at all hours of the day and night--some of the bars here don't close until 3.00 a.m.
It is usually packed with people, which, unfortunately, makes it hard to photograph (I haven't found a good perch yet)--I'll try to do better.

Basically it's an old area of town that is absolutely packed with pubs, as well as with people. The streets are old and narrow and cobbled, and the visitors are a funny mix of locals and tourists. Part of the reason that the streets are so crowded is because of all the smokers, who are no longer allowed to pursue their habit indoors.

The area also tends to be quite full of "hen parties." For those not familiar with the term, these are (as far as I understand it) a sort of bachelorette parties for women about to be married. Whatever they are (and people correct me if I'm mistaken) supposed to be, what they are actually is an excuse for strange women to dress up in weird costumes (see photo), drink copious amounts of alcohol and generally be loud and obnoxious. That isn't just me being anti-social; Celia, who has to serve these parties, is not a fan either.

There are so lovely old buildings in Temple Bar, though, and they are generally very well maintained, because it is such a tourist attraction.