History, drama, unforgettable characters–today, we had it all. We started our day with a (literal) behind-the-scenes tour of Ireland’s national theatre, the Abbey, right here on the north side of Dublin. Thanks to our intrepid tour guide, in-house Experiences Coordinator James, we got some key context for the national theatre’s emergence and development, as well as literary and social context for their current program, plus a sneak peek at the wig room.

After some weather-inappropriate bowls of ramen, we set off for a bout of character stalking on the hallowed grounds of Trinity College, where our writers spotted, described, and fleshed out “marks” for the full fictional treatment.

We capped the day with what we like to call Date Night: an early bird dinner and a movie. Lucky for us, the Irish Film Institute was screening one from their Irish Focus program, a series showcasing new Irish cinema.

The film, A Woman’s Place (Declan McGrath, 2018), documents artist Noel Murphy’s process as he fulfills a commission to paint all 53 women members of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Ireland’s national parliament). We capped the day with a much-deserved trip to Murphy’s, home of Dublin’s best ice cream/most locally relevant flavors/most efficient and patient staff. Thanks, Murphy’s; thanks, ladies.