Is the era of Guinness coming to an end?

Lent, finishing next week, is a time when many people in Ireland make sacrifice until Easter Sunday. Quite few gave up drinking alcohol for several weeks, though some made exception for St. Patrick’s Day.

But that’s not the main reason of falling Guinness sale (the 2006 figures for Ireland and Britain show a drop of 7%, continuing a trend that began years ago). The scale of the shift from drinking Guinness, which takes its dark colour from the roasted barley, appears even more dramatic given that Ireland has the fastest growing population in the European Union.

Some people blame the trend on the Irish Republic's smoking ban in pubs; others say it has to do with a crackdown on drink-driving. The main reason however is changing life-style as new wealth, new opportunities and immigration transform tastes and drinking habits in Ireland.

Alongside the decline of Guinness is an increasing appetite for wine, spirits, cider and imported beer. People are drinking more alcohol at home and are mainly choosing wine.

Is the era of Irish pubs filled with Guinness drinkers coming to end? Probably yes, but let’s hope that even when serving wheat bears from Czech Republic or …… Chardonney pubs won’t lose their unique and friendly atmosphere.

Lies about the Battle of Thermopylae. Why we should call it “1000” and not “300”

The recent movie “300” is based on the comic book and shouldn’t be treated as historically accurate. Unfortunately newspapers and TV are using “300” as a valid source of information about the battle! We can read that: “300 Spartans held out against the armies of the Persian emperor Xerxes” or “King Leonidas, who leads just “300” Spartans against Xerxes and his massive army of decadent Persians – all to protect Western democracy.” Hold on a second! Do not mix what is promising to be a great movie with history! Have we all forgotten about 700 Thespians and 6,000 other Greek allies fighting in the battle! OK out of the initial 7,000-strong Greek army, all but over 1,000 were dismissed on the third day. Why?

Late on the second day of battle Leonidas received a windfall: a Malian Greek traitor offered to guide the Persian army through the pass around Thermopylae. King had stationed 1,000 Phocian volunteers on the heights to guard that path. Unfortunately they were surprised by the Persians and had not held. Council of war was called. During the council some Greeks argued for withdrawal in the face of the overwhelming Persian advance, while others pledged to stay. After the council, many of the Greek forces did choose to withdraw.

Spartan and Thespian Hoplites

The Spartans had pledged themselves to fight to the death, while the Thebans were held as hostage against their will. However, a contingent of about 700 Thespians refused to leave with the other Greeks, but cast their lot with the Spartans. So the King of Sparta had nearly 1500 soldiers. Until today we don’t know how many Thespians and Thebans died in the battle. Unknown and unremembered by most: 1,000 to 2,000 Helots (Spartan slaves) died fighting alongside their masters in the last stand.

And what about clashes of civilisation and protecting Western Democracy? I don’t think so. Persian empire hired and paid people regardless of their sex or ethnicity, whereas in fifth-century Greece less than 14% of the population participated in democratic government, and nearly 37% of the population were slaves. Sparta was a military monarchy, not a democracy, and collectively owned slaves (the Helots).

Having this in mind enjoy the movie!

Skyfest Dublin

Unfortunately, due to extreme winds and bad weather conditions see snow in the last post!!! the skyfest was cancelled this evening. I finished in pub for the night ;-)

It was supposed to be one of Europe's biggest explosive displays of fireworks. A one-meter swell on the river and strong wind (up to 60 kmh) meant that barges used to rig the fireworks could not operate safely. This time even St. Patrick could not change the weather to accomodate the Skyfest being held in his honour. Maybe next year...

Below photos from 2005 Skyfest.

Custom House by night

St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin

As one could expected… it rained yesterday, fortunately it never poured! People start to arrive to O'Connell Street as early as 10am to secure a good vantage point (parade began at 12 noon). Parade was breathtaking, three thousand performers, ten marching bands (one without instruments as they were lost in transit ;-) – big cheer for courage to march without instruments!). Themed “legendary” the spirits of Irish, European and worlds myths and legends came alive through magnificent and colourful costumes and platforms. The parade was very multicultural as today’s Ireland is. We could admire Brazilian maracatu dancers; Liberties samba band from Dublin; brightly coloured Sikh; marching bands from USA; musicians from Spain and Germany; Lithuanians, Poles and many others.
According to Irish Times over 650 thousand people attended the parade; you could really see an ocean of green all over city.

More photos available here.

Now I’m looking forward to the Skyfest in Docklands this evening (the best viewing locations are along North Wall Quay and Rogerson's Quay). Now I'm not kidding - it's snowing now in Dublin!!! I think I'd rather stay at home and watch the Skyfest on RTE ;-)

St. Patrick's Day Festival in Dublin

One of the highlights of the festival in Dublin is of course Skyfest on Sunday evening at 7.30pm. This huge display of fireworks and laser lights will light up Dublin’s sky. The best viewing points are Liffey’s north and south quays – make sure to get there early or you’ll se little more than the heads of those in front of you.
Merrion Square hosts a funfair throughout the festival – check out the view from 45 meter high Jubilee Wheel. Also on Monday the square will host the best of Irish and International street theatres.

St Patrick's Day

Nearly here! Only few days left to the most important holiday in Ireland - St Patrick's Day. It all began only in the mid-1990s that the Irish government began a campaign to use Saint Patrick's Day to showcase Ireland. Now on 17th March everyone is Irish. The biggest parade in Ireland will be held in Dublin. I promise to put up some photos on both blog and the website as soon as I recover from celebrating Paddy's Day and watching Italy - Ireland rugby game (probably Sunday ;-)) I just hope the weather will be nice.

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2005