Ireland comes alive at night

Rays of light begin to litter the streets on a damp daybreak in Dublin. The buildings are clean and fresh from the rain that whipped across the "fair city" the night before. The clouds are clearing and the sun is shining through, lighting up the spirits of the people lucky enough to enjoy this beautiful Irish morning.\nAs is said here, "first up, best dressed," an old adage that rings true this morning. However, the truth strays from the original context. The saying carries over from harder times on the island. When a houseful of kids sharing clothes was a common thing in the country, the first up was the best dressed, for they had the biggest selection. \nThings have changed. Ireland is experiencing an economic boom. Its economy has been dubbed the "Celtic Tiger," as businesses and new faces rush into Dublin and the surrounding areas. The Irish welcome the chance of greeting people into the "Emerald Isle" rather then watching them sail away.\nThe green dome of the Custom House comes alive in the morning light. \nThe sun gleams off O'Connell Bridge, which stretches over the River Liffey, in the shadow of Daniel O'Connell's celebrated statue. O'Connell fought hard for years to bring equal rights for Catholics in Ireland. Now his statue watches over the entrance to O'Connell Street, a street that has seen its share of tough times. Unfortunately, violence from the 1916 Easter Rising destroyed many of the beautiful buildings that lined the avenue. \nOn St. Patty's day, everyone is Irish and O'Connell Street is a sea of green where locals and tourists come to "drown the shamrock" with generous amounts of libations. St. Patrick's is a day to "hold the devil by the tail," or "act the jinnit." Simply meaning, to act foolishly or live dangerously, all for a good time.