The visit to Ireland was not complete without sampling the traditional culinaire—Fish ’n Chips. Sadly, I didn’t know where the best Fish ’n Chips in Dublin is and I didn’t want to eat in just any generic restaurant that happens to have Fish ’n Chips on their menu. I want a real Fish ’n Chips place! Luckily, I found this sole Fish ’n Chips restaurant on O’Connell Street called Beshoff.
Fish ’n Chips at Beshoff
Beshoff is a no frills place, more like a fast food diner to me with a cafeteria appeal, and honestly, I thought I could do better but naah, this one fits the bill correctly.
Final verdict: 4 stars out of 5. Codfish was good, I am just not a chips lady, helaas.
Anyway, moving on…
Hello O’Connell Street
O’Connell Street (Irish: Sráid Uà Chonail is Dublin’s main thoroughfare located in the northside just above the Liffey River. A very important street advocating to patriotism: the Irish’s unrelenting fight for an independent Irish Republic. There are tons of shopping opportunities here as well. Every time I pass by the Karen Millen shop, I am tempted to buy the leopard print coat on the window display. {sigh}
Now, the guys I met on the first night during the much coveted pub crawl in celebration of Cork’s football win had so much to tell about O’Connell Street, and passionately if I may add.
O’Connell Street, by the beautiful General Post Office building, is where the revolution transpired against England—‘Easter Rising’ in 1916 had begun. The stalwart cannot-be-put-down Irish fought back and kicked the English. The guys showed me the numerous bullet markings on the walls of Dublin’s General Post Office, which was at that time used by the rebels as their headquarters. Gunfires were exchanged with the English Army who were positioned across the street. Many soldiers from both camps lost their lives, as well as civilians… for the sake of freedom.
Meeting the guys was one of the best things that happened in this trip. I had a prevue to Irish culture and history from fervent locals. Nothing can beat that.
Dublin General Post Office
Dublin Spire
The Dublin Spire circa 2003, also known as the ‘Monument of Light’ is another attraction in O’Connell Street. This eye-catching 120-meter stainless steel monument was built as a replacement to Nelson’s Pillar that was destroyed by a bomb by the IRA in 1966. In addition, the building of this monument mast is part of a much bigger plan to improve the streetscape of O’Connell Street—bring it back to its former glory.
Dubliners have a wicked sense of humour and have christened the spire as: ‘Stiletto in the Ghetto’ (the area used to be a ghetto in the 60’s), the ‘Rod to God’, ‘Erection at the Intersection’ and ‘Stiffy by the Liffey’.
More O’Connell Street scenes:
Travel Period: September 2010
Destination: Dublin, Ireland
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