North Earl Street

 I know I've written about North Earl Street, or Norf Earl Street before, it holds a place in my heart. This was my old post as I write again about the street which was the centre of our community: 

https://lifeforce198.blogspot.com/2024/12/gerry-and-incident-in-dublin.html

I just got back to Limerick from a weekend in Dublin. Dublin 4 has become a home from home since I moved to Limerick, another strange poetic justice. 

I went to petsit, as I usually do, but a different dog this time, the two families who have dogs are friends, but the dogs are chalk and cheese, the usual dog is ADHD and is delighted to pull me to the beach as many times a day as I'll go, which I'm perfectly happy with. The other dog is more like 'Maybe I should hide in this gateway or under this bush in case people, cars, dogs, ghosts or anything scary comes along'. She's not easy to walk, but much quieter at home. 

It was good to have a break, I wouldn't call my life in Limerick easy by any stretch of the imagination although I really do have to stay here. And being in Dublin, I'm reminded that although Limerick isn't easy, Dublin can be harsh for a disabled person. The packed public transport, the antisocial behaviour...I know we have that in Limerick, but everything is harsh and wearing in Dublin, crowded smelly buses and so on. Too much stress on my body. Limerick isn't easy but is easier than Dublin. 

Dublin is still part of me though, even if I feel unable to live there. When I go back to Dublin, I go to the beach, with or without the dog, I go to North Earl Street, Henry Street and O'Connell, I see my old friends, and I go to Dun Laoghaire as well. 

I arrived in Dublin on Friday and was mainly at the house or on the beach with the dog, the usual routine, different dog. 

It was a trip tinged with sadness. Recently a bus crash where the bus missed the turn onto Marlborough and went onto North Earl Street, which is pedestrianised, killed a man who used to be a regular at the cafe where myself and my friends were regulars. I'd known him by sight but not well, but it was a great tragedy, he was a man who knew what he wanted in life and looked after himself. He was so well known at our regular cafe that they knew how to do his fry and they would get him a birthday cake. He kept a routine, walking into town from East Wall for his time at the cafe and so on. 

When I saw the news of the bus crash, I thought it was either him or another man the same age who I got on so well with when I lived in Dublin. I kind of knew it was one of ours, that's all I can say. The other man, Sean, although he's a very unwell man now, is alive and I met with him on Saturday, we talked about the bus crash and he said about being the same age as the man who died. Everyone, all of us who used to meet on North Earl Street, and so many people all around are shocked. 

I had a lazy morning on Saturday, really needed it, did brunch, watched television. In the afternoon I went into Dublin city centre. There was a rugby match at the Aviva but it didn't impede the bus really. It was funny to be back where the crowds were walking to the Aviva, like they did in the days before I left Dublin for Limerick, when I had a birds eye view of the huge crowds. 

The bus was smelly and crowded and I got off at Pearse Street and walked round to Nassau Street.

I stood where he stood, that Saturday long ago, and looked over at the empty post where I used to sit. 

'On Nassau Street, where old ghosts meet, I see him walking now...' 

I will never really understand. 

I walked on round to O'Connell and up to North Earl Street. 

I have never had a Valentine's Day in Dublin without flowers, Nor a St Brigid's Day without being given a st Brigid's cross. This Valentine's day was no exception, and so I reached North Earl Street carrying a pretty red rose and a smile. 

My old friend was standing there, and we talked, caught up on everything since last time. He gave me a tip, very handy for food, and I walked down to where the bus crash was. There was a photo of the man who died, and lots of flowers. I couldn't really keep a rose as I was heading back to Limerick today (Sunday) so put the rose there with the others, there were a number of roses alongside other flowers. I said a few quiet words and felt sad, and then I went on wandering around, until I found Sean, who looked as if he was seeing a ghost. We've only met once since I moved to Limerick. He's not a well man, he leaned on the wall and we talked for a while. He also gave me a tip. Everyone remembers how I was struggling and they still reach out, and it's something I love about the Dublin gang. I'm certainly still in abject poverty so I don't offend the gang by saying no. I hope none of you judge me that I let people help me. I'm still in a dead-end situation with trying to work out what to do for a living when I have complex disabilities and can no longer do the work I did, and my confidence is rock bottom. I'm waiting for support again to work on a career 

I decided that Sandymount Tesco would be crazy with rugby-goers by the time I got back, so I went into Dunnes on North Earl Street, and when I came out, another old friend was there, a dear old friend. We walked so they could feed the birds, we rummaged in charity shops, with their help I got a much needed new rucksack which can also be a shoulder bag or carry bag, I've been having a bag crisis and it will really help, especially as I have to take the washing to the laundry. Good news there is I found a closer laundry service as well.

Anyway, we went and had a meal. Reminisced about meals we'd had in the past, talked about memories and now and dogs and all sorts of things. It was as it always has been. It's funny, when I go back, everyone is there, things are as they were, and I will never walk through Dublin without meeting old friends. 

The words come unbidden, unscripted as I stand on North Earl Street 'I love you so very very much'. 

'Fare thee well sweet Ana Liffey'. 

So it was a great Saturday in Dublin. I got home without the rugby crowds being in the way, and enjoyed the luxury of an evening of television. As ever, I rarely see a television, so it's always a luxury on the Dublin weekends. The wind and rain howled and myself and the dog just curled up and watched films. 

I slept well there but dreamed a lot, slightly sad and complex dreams. This morning was more television and bunch, very nice. A quick walk in the rain and then time to hand over. 

When I handed house and dog back, I got the Dart down to Dun Laoghiare. Normally I have some emotion, this is my home town and I still love it, in an irritated way, but today nothing. Maybe carrying a heavy bag didn't help, I don't know. My hairdresser sometimes works Sundays and was there last time on a Sunday, but not this time, it was a shame, my friends gave me enough tips for a haircut and it's hard to get a decent haircut without a mortgage in Limerick. The Dart can be hell on weekends, but it was bearable if a bit smelly. The Dart was only running Connelly to Greystones, which may be why it was less crowded, and the Irish win at the Aviva would leave a lot of people sleeping off hangovers. 

So I did't stay long, headed back, got the Limerick bus, which was crowded and smelly, but I sat up front, enjoyed my packed lunch and kept my headphones on, and it was okay. We went in and out of heavy rain and hail, the forecast was snow, but there was no snow. So I'm home. 

I really must write the poem 'North Earl Street' and post it on Castletroy Words. 

Life isn't easy, but old friends bring joy. Life force, power, pure joy.