I am absolutely overwhelmed by all of the fabulous things we did and saw in Ireland. Going through the photos to try and put together a comprehensive blog post proved a bigger challenge than I was up for this Monday morning, so instead, we get the Weird List.

It’s become kind of a thing, these ‘travel weird lists‘. I recently returned from a ten day trip to the Emerald Isle. It was my second visit–you can read the original Irish Weird List here. You’d think that I’d have hit all the weird stuff the first time and a subsequent trip wouldn’t be weird because it’d be familiar. Good news, Weird List fans, there was plenty of new weird stuff!

The qualifications for this list are simple–if at any point, I, or someone in my company, said, “Wow, that was weird,” whatever was referenced became available for consideration.

The poo signs.

Look at the eyes of the child depicted.
There were signs like this all over Dublin. I wondered why they needed notices protecting their kids from dog poo…I looked it up–it’s a thing, they have an entire campaign encouraging pet owners to be responsible because of this poor child’s experience. It’s less funny when you read about that little girl, but it’s still weird. And, unfortunately, not working. We saw a LOT of dogs in Ireland. And also a lot of poo.

Narrow roads and trailers.

The roads can be very narrow in Ireland. Like, very. Two ‘lanes’ of traffic on a one-car wide street. So, it seemed particularly weird to see trailers. The photo is a lone mobile home on a lot off a narrow road, but we passed actual trailer parks. How do they get them there? No, seriously, I’m baffled.

The Pope visit.

The Pope was in Dublin the same weekend we were. Coincidence? Maybe. Inconvenience? Totally. Our Hop on-Hop off bus tours were compromised with the closed roads and extra security. Also, places like the Dublin Castle were not available to visit at all. We did not see him, but several people in our tour group waved as he passed by. I thought it was weird (and financially opportunistic) that they had pop-up Pope shops on every corner.

Failed Dangerous.

After noticing the large L (for learner) and N (for novice) stickers in the car windows, I snapped a pic of this one, because I thought it was weird. Our guide was surprised to see this photo since this car is technically illegal to drive! According to the very strict RSA, Road Safety Authority, if your car does not pass the required testing, it is considered not road worthy and cannot be driven.

Pokemon Sock Torches.

This is beyond weird. I mean, seriously, WTH? After a lovely jaunty ride through the gorgeous grounds of Killarney National Park and Muckross estate, I came across these sock torches tossed in the undergrowth and into a hollowed out stump. No one had any idea where they’d come from or why they were there.
Pokemon.
Sock.
Torches.
There’s got to be a story here…

Speaking of stories…

The Poison Garden

on the Blarney Castle grounds is one-stop research for a fiction writer! I found it quite interesting how familiar plants can be used in harmful, and homicidal, ways. And a little weird that they provide this information to the masses.

After much consideration and photo file scrolling, I realize I may have to post several Irish Weird Lists. What can I say? It was a very interesting trip…