Sorry I have been away with the faeries...

Away with the faeries is a saying here that means not attentive, off in their own little world. Dublin has caught me off guard and swept me off my feet. I more so came to Dublin because of the program criteria but, now I firmly believe everyone should come to the beautiful country of Ireland in their lifetime.

I have never met such amazing and friendly people.

Ok so in the past few days much has happened. I started working at the four courts. Below is an excerpt for my internship journal of my first day at the courts with my amazing barrister Martin:

As I ventured off in Ireland alone for the first time to met with my barrister I found myself lost. Now how does one get lost finding a building so big and beautiful? Well I figured the old towering building would magically open the double doors at the front. Of course there is a back public entrance. I then found myself in the four courts at the law library. Martin and I met over coffee and swapped stories. I asked him about the court systems in Ireland. He explained the current problem the Supreme Court is having with a backlog of cases. He explained that there is a proposal to change it to much like the US system where the supreme court must order a writ of ceritorari.

As I commented about the surprising amount of young barristers he told me that currently it is really too easy to become a barrister in Ireland as well as a solicitor with a huge abundance of them (which I related to the US). Additionally, he explained the rise of malpractice suits against solicitors in particular and the fall of insurance companies representing them. I asked him how that would impact the barristers and he told me that the individuals seeking suit would then go after the barristers because of the lack of money in the solicitors.

After our enlightening discussion we headed upstairs to a small packed courtroom, I’ve never even seen such a courtroom. With probably about 50 people or more. All the cases seemed to be settling. Additionally, it seemed like less of a show than in the US. The whole proceeding was very quiet. The judge mumbled names of cases and I sat puzzled as I wondered how the barristers even heard the name of their cases. They would basically say one word and the case was over.

Martin took me downstairs to explain his case he just settled. It was about a property boundary line. The parties were arguing over a four foot plot of land they had their garden on. He found it quite humorous and laughed as he showed me the pictures taken and where the arguments lay showing me pictures of trees and fences that the parties thought marked the boundary.

I then waited in the lobby of the law library as he ran to change into his robe and wigs. The amount of people that swarmed and ran around was massive and the running up and down the stairs seemed but a daily routine. The next case he had me watch was a case about a car crash, a repudiation of contract by the insurance companies, an issue of jurisdiction with the crash  happening in  Ireland but the individuals injured being from England as well as the insurance companies. Overall, I was very interested in seeing the many jurisdictional problems the court faced.

After this I went and saw a play at Trinity of Romeo and Juliet. It was outside and freezing (like 40 degrees status) but amazing of course. Below I added a few photo from it:

Micah sword fighting in Trinity college

The group (aka the cali girls with the North Carolina kids)

The view of Trinity from my seat

After it rained there was a rainbow!

Romeo & Juliet

 Yesterday we set out to the Wicklow or as they say here "Wicklah" for a craic (which means great time). We also went to Glendalough and learned all about the irish celtic origins and st patrick. We had a nice lunch at glacial lakes. More importantly we got to see the houses of Bono, Daniel Day Lewis, Enya,  Gerard Butler and the filming sets of PS I love you, the Tudors, Leap Year, and Braveheart. We finished off the day by tossing around a nice bottle of Jameson. (and you wonder why I love Dublin?)

Leap Year Set

PS I Love You Bridge

Guinness Lake

Finally, Last night I hit up the one and only Temple bar to meet all the Europeans having their Bachelor Parties or here they call them "Stag" Parties. Dublin is basically Europe's Vegas. Anyways met some Scottish lads and had a great time!

Me with the groom and best man (brothers Connolly!)