Dublin staycation

Stayed in Dublin for a night, for a change of scene, to check out some sights in the capital and see an exhibition in Dublin Castle called Census 1926. The exhibition is interesting as it disclosed the census done 100 years ago, the first one after independence. 

 

2026年5月27日 1926 人口普查

最近看了「1926 年人口普查」展覽，是愛爾蘭獨立五年後，第一個人口普查，一百年後，資料全部公開，讓人民查看。

展出了好些統計，和很多那年代的照片，多張全家福照片，不少有一名兒子是神父，一名女兒是修女，那是合乎當時社會/教會的期望，是否兒女的真心選擇，不得而知。

其中一個統計，特別觸目，是在當時約三百萬人口中，多少能說英語、愛爾蘭語，原來有99%人民能說英語，18%能說愛爾蘭語，和少於1%只能說愛爾蘭語。而到了現在，五百幾萬人口中，能流利地說愛爾蘭語的約2%。

當真意外，愛爾蘭被英國統治百多年後，竟然這麽成功地改變當地人民的語言選擇，是在其他殖民地方沒有的現象也！ 

The other important reason is to eat at Michelin restaurants, a lot there but very few near where I live. 

Tried D’Oulier Street in Dublin center, a 13 courses tasting dinner, tasty dishes, some dishes have really used too many ingredients, good attempt and a nice experience. 

The next morning spend the time at Howth, a peninsula north east of Dublin famous for seafood. It was bitterly cold wind, but the sea scenery is pleasant when the sun finally shine through. 

I was expecting a big market hall, but actually just a number of fish shops and restaurants. Bought some fresh looking mackerel, squid and surf clam. 

Ate at Mamo, run by a French trained Irish chef. I have to say this is one of two best cooked fish I have ever eaten in Ireland in the last 6 year. Just cooked, juicy meat, crispy skin, tasty sauce.