Poets and novelists. These two words have a myriad of meaning & associations, especially to Irish culture and history. Literary figures are intertwined with the Irish Rebellion, Literary Revival, & an independent Ireland. Exploring the streets of Dublin, we came across an alleyway with murals & quotes from famous Irish writers. It is interesting how often I stumbled on representations of these figures (along with political figures) that fought for & stood for a free Ireland: Connolly’s face painted in a bar window, placards to highlight key places in the Rising, the declaration on display at Trinity’s Long Room & copies posted on walls of pubs.

At one of the pubs we visited, I spoke to a local Dubliner, Paul, about Irish literature. Paul has lived in Dublin all his life & works in telecommunications. He was quite friendly, a little rough around the edges, but he could quote lines/titles from Yeats, Joyce, Heaney, & Wilde. The words of Irish poets & novelists fill the steets, but also linger in the minds of the people who walk them. Although my impression stems from one trip to Dublin & one conversation, I think it is apparent that there is an appreciation & pride in Irish historical & literary figures. Paul also enlightened us in some of the secondary education in Ireland; teachers of secondary education are required to learn & teach Irish. In his secondary school days, he learned Irish but has since then forgotten the language. While we read about the Irish literature, culture & history, I found my short tour of Dublin last night & my discussion with locals a powerful reminder of how the Irish literary & political figures still hold a significant place in Ireland’s modern culture.