We have entered the slow and dark days of winter. Do I enjoy it? Well, I can debate on this topic from both sides. It truly is a time to step back and reflect, but not everyone knows how to cope with prolonged solitude; I surely am not made for long winters.
I enjoy this season when I’ve good company like that of my husband’s or my friends. But when they aren’t around and I’m sinking myself all in work, I dislike the darkness outside. It gives me jitters and I wait for sunshine.
When we’re talking about these days in Dublin, one has to search for some extremely exciting ways to keep the mood happy and body active! Looking at the grey sky and feeling the winter chills as soon as you step out of your duvet, can make you feel lonely. But you’re not alone to feel that! I have discussed with friends here and most of them have experienced that in winters here. I was relieved that I’m normal to sense the gloom, but I was also sure of doing something to come out of it.
There’s no way you can tackle it by surrendering to it. Gear up and fight back – that’s the attitude I’ve for this season’s dullness . And preparing for it, I started listing down all that I can do.
I came up with many options, including yoga in a hot studio like where I give classes! But wait, we’re discussing one of the literary capitals of the world – Dublin. Of course, I will first direct you to the museums (most of which have free admission), public libraries (that are gorgeous structures with phenomenal collections), cafe-cum-bookstores like Bestseller Cafe or to the many independent bookshops like Chapters that sell new & used books.
Let us take the attention toward museums, which is a long but brilliant list and TripAdvisor very well segregates them based on type of the museum’s collection. I wanted to visit a museum in the city centre of Dublin and wanted to make a trip to one that I haven’t been to before. I pinned down the National Library of Ireland as they have an exhibition on the life of poet W. B. Yeats.
There’s also a virtual tour of this exhibition, available by the National Library of Ireland. Though it is nothing like visiting this place in person, but it’s a great way to introduce yourself to the exhibit. I have shared the link at the end of this article.
Cast a cold Eye on Life, on Death. Horseman, pass by!
-W.B. Yeats
What will you see at the exhibition ?
Family of WB Yeats helped in putting this together, as they have provided most of which is displayed at this exhibition. There are his handwritten letters to family and friends. In the earthy tone of old paper, poems written and typed, have been placed under soft focus lights. There are videos and photographs that explain his early life, his contribution to the freedom struggle and in creating the heroic and romantic image of Ireland.
Wisdom is the property of the dead.
– W. B. Yeats
Yeats believed in world religion and for me, as an Indian, it is fascinating to know that Indian philosophy had a great influence on his beliefs that also showed in his poetry. He was a man of love and many affairs.
And right before I was stepping out, I heard his poetry being read aloud. I spent time listening to 3 of them and decided to absorb it all over a hot cup of tea.
It is an assemblage of information and stories that will pull me back there, soon. Only if I could complain of something, it will be of the dim lights. Although the tone of lights carry you smoothly to the era gone by, but reading the texts and his handwriting did strain my eyes. Then, the brightness of Cafe Joly brought back all the glory and I sat there reflecting on everything I now knew of Yeats.
There’s more that I will do this winter and will post them here. What do you do to deal with this season?
Address:
National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2
In Google Maps
Links that you may find interesting:
Virtual Tour: https://www.nli.ie/yeats/
The Yeats Society: https://www.yeatssociety.com/
Sunday Miscellany where W.B. Yeats has been quoted (played at 20.38) : RTE Radio One
