The usually bustling streets of Dublin were subdued today as businesses closed in observance of the national day of mourning for the victims of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in the US.
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People lining up for food, as restaurants begin to open this evening.
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Walking through Dublin’s Temple Bar, usually bustling with tourists, shoppers, street performers and amblers, the atmosphere was subdued. The area, which on any other Friday would be full of revellers on hen and stag weekends became a gathering point for tourists and Dubliners still coming to terms with the unprecedented events of the past few days.
Like millions around the world Adrian Christovwitz and Corris Van Vanvuuren from South Africa heard of the terrorist attacks while at work on Tuesday. Though shocked by the scenes of carnage in New York they have no plans to cancel their trip to Minneapolis next week.
"Coming from South Africa I’m used to violence but I think after what has happened, the US will be safer as security will be so tight" Adrian said.
For the first time in years Mats Grahn, a Swede living in Dublin went to Mass and lit a candle for the victims of the attack. "I’m not at all religious but it just seemed like the right thing to do." Mats said.
"I don’t believe in god but I do believe in good", he added.
Lisa Griffith, a student from Waterford watched the horror unfold live on television. She said she and her friend lost all track of time as they sat for hours glued to the screen.
Opinions varied on whether a National Day of Mourning was appropriate but most agreed, consideration should have been given to the thousands of tourists in the city - left to struggle through the day without any facilities.
A Canadian couple, on two week holiday in Ireland, applauded the gesture as the right thing to do but said tourists suffered as a consequence.
Queuing to get into one of the restaurants that opened after 5 p.m. "We have not eaten since we left our B&B in the suburbs at 8.30 a.m., it is now 5 p.m. We have not been able to buy even a yogurt to keep us going, go to the bathroom or rest for a while. I could understand historical building closing but there were no basics available for the tourists."
Andrew Stewart, an Australian travelling through Europe arrived in Ireland today to find the country effectively shut down. After walking for hours around Dublin he finally found sustenance in a sandwich bar in Temple Bar.
He said that while he fully supported the day of mourning some basic facilities should have stayed open.
Similarly a group of hungry and thirsty English visitors on a weekend trip to Dublin for a birthday celebration were surprised by the extent of the shutdown.
"What does all this achieve" one of them said. She suggested that instead of closing for the day, businesses should have closed for one hour and make a charitable donation.
Other were critical of the gesture itself.
A Russian couple, living in Dublin city for 4 years, said: "They did not have such a day when Iraq and other nations were bombed. Everyday there are deaths caused by terrorism and there have been a lot more causalities. Just because it is America, does not mean there has to be a day of mourning."
"It makes no sense to me, it is unbelievable that Ireland would become involved in something like this," a Brazilian social worker said.
Living and working in Ireland for eight years, she expressed her disgust at the what she called a ridiculous gesture. "Millions of people die in the world from famine, natural causes and war each day. Just because America has been affected does not mean there should be such a gesture. Nothing like this happened after Omagh."
She added millions have died at the hand of American assaults throughout the world.
"I can understand mourning, but in a different way," a Portuguese lady who has lived in Ireland for four years said. "It proves the opinion that Ireland is a little piece of America and proves Ireland’s dependency on the US economy."
"What happened was a kick to capitalism, on the main tower of capitalism and security. It was a big message to America, that if they want to hit they will", she said.
Meanwhile two lads from Dublin, off work for the day, were in full support of the day though kicked themselves for not thinking ahead and stocking up yesterday.
"Everyone I know had the day off, it was a good gesture - though we are gasping for a cigarette at this stage. We are looking for a shop - we heard one was open at the top of Dame Street and thats where we are headed."
Another couple of girls came into Dublin today to sign the Book of Condolence in the Mansion House. "We had no school today, everything in Lucan was closed expect for one local shop. It was a good idea, to show how sorry we all are."
A German student agreed: "It made clear to the whole world we do not accept what happened. It was a sign of respect, that we stop while they are suffering."
Corina Duffy from Castleknock was able to put things a little more in perspective. Her friend who worked on Wall Street and used the World Trade Centre subway station slept in on the day of the World Trade Centre attack.
She didn’t think the mass closure in Dublin was overdone. "In fairness I’m starving, but at least I can do something about it. There’s thousands of people who lost their lives so going hungry for a couple of hours is no big deal."