We’ve had a lovely St. Patrick’s weekend here in central London.
Yesterday, we visited the National Portrait Gallery to see “Only Human” by photographer Martin Parr. After lunch at Chipotle, some gelato and hot chocolate to honour my dad, and a quick break at The Courthouse Hotel, we got to the Photographers’ Gallery for the last hour (for free entry!) to view a show I’d found don Time Out and another to boot.
We ended Saturday at Backyard Comedy with four hilarious comedians.
Our Art Fund pass and memberships with Tate and Backyard are really paying off!
We learned a lot this weekend about being British, thanks in no small part to Martin Parr. Here’s a selection of photos from yesterday:
Today, we breakfasted beside Whitechapel Gallery, walked to the Tower of London, took the boat down to Embankment and walked to Tate Britain. We visited two photographers’ exhibitions–seeing the second half of photojournalist Don McCullin’s show (we hadn’t allotted enough time in our first visit). Then we took a double decker bus over to Trafalgar Square, enjoyed lunch at Thai Spice, and took in the last hour of the city-sponsored St. Patrick’s Day music festival.
While it feels surreal to sing Irish Republican songs in Trafalgar Square, particularly because it’s not considered entirely kosher to sing such songs in Dublin these days, we truly felt our love for Ireland by singing along–without having to love London any less!
Ireland’s Call by Phil Coulter
Come the day and come the hour
Come the power and the glory
We have come to answer Our Country’s call
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
CHORUS
Ireland, Ireland
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We’ll answer Ireland’s call
From the mighty Glens of Antrim
From the rugged hills of Galway
From the walls of Limerick And Dublin Bay
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
CHORUS
Hearts of steel, and heads unbowing
Vowing never to be broken
We will fight, until We can fight no more
From the four proud provinces of Ireland
Aongus and I were making the most of our last day together for a while. I’m heading home to Virginia help my Dad who hasn’t been well.
We ended the day at the Blind Beggar, site of a notorious gang murder long ago (see the plaque for further explanation). I’d not been there before, despite it being just blocks from our London home.
Photos from today:
Ireland by Chance 