🎶In Dublin fair city. Where the girls are so pretty 🎶
Surprise. A Guinness or two
So here we are folks. Not much to say about the flight other than it was looong! Thankfully Robyn had the sense to book an overnight hotel in Abu Dhabi so after 14 hours we were able to find a bed and a few hours (5) sleep before hitting the Etihad lounge and another 7 hours to Dublin. After finding the hotel we settled in and being 4 in the afternoon headed out to explore. Surprise, surprise we ended up in a hotel in the Temple Bar district just a short walk from where we are staying. The pub was actually the Temple Bar Hotel and had four bars all jam packed with tourists and locals. We settled on the one with the music and consequently the least space but spent a fabulous couple of hours listening to 3 guys performing great music including some rock renditions of classical Irish tunes. There was one particular table that had 3 guys that looked like they were straight off the set of “Vikings” including one that would pass for Ragnor Lothberg!!!
In bed by 8.30 as we were two very tired little vegemites.
Day 2 a bit more alive so off we set to take in some sites via the “hop on hop off” bus. First stop Trinity College and “The Book of Kells” . A nice tour and well worth a visit. Thankfully the crowds were no where to be seen so we had plenty of time and space to take in the displays and brush up on my religious history. While at the College we wandered the old library, reportedly the inspiration for the Hogwarts library and I can see the resemblance, absolutely stunning and a good experience.
Tried to get into Kilmainham Goal but apparently you need to book! No worries, let’s catch a cab back to the Guinness Storehouse and do the tour there instead (It’s still history and culture isn’t it?) Great tour but of course being Gluten based Robyn was unable to partake so I had to take one for the team and drink her pint as well as mine.......
Best joke of the day from one of the hop on hop off bus drivers - “Daddy do all fairy tales begin with Once upon a time...... No darling, most fairy tales begin with Once I get elected I promise.......” He went on to lament the caliber of the Irish politicians but I think we can relate!
A new day and off we head for more of Dublin. Walked 18000 steps including a great tour of the Gaol and a better insight to the treatment of political prisoners, the great potato famine and a number of uprisings in the battle for independence. Well worth a visit. More great shops and food to be had and then relaxed into the Temple Bar (again) with a pint of the Ruby red or black stuff commonly known as Guinness. The band was outstanding and you couldn’t stop the legs from tapping or the hands from clapping. Not sure what happened but it was getting close to midnight before the head hit the pillow. Mind you only 1 pint of Guinness in 2 hours (starting to drink like a local). Robyn brought a CD and it might not make it home if it’s the only one we buy as 12 weeks on repeat could see it, or me, thrown out the window.
What has been wonderful to see in Dublin is that “someone” has had the vision to retain the character and identity of the city. Beautiful old buildings in the city centre, not a high rise to be seen! Great traditional Irish pubs that are welcoming, not seedy, with not a pokie or TV screen in sight! Consequently the city has a wonderful relaxed feel full of charm and everything Irish! People walking, shopping, chatting, great atmosphere and the city seems to be thriving! Perhaps the Tasmanian politicians and the Hobart councillors need to pay a visit and find out it can be done! It is possible to retain what is unique and quintessential without sacrificing progress and economic growth.
Celebrating and cheers to Lydia on getting a contract ar Rose Bay High School
In bed by 8.30 as we were two very tired little vegemites.
Day 2 a bit more alive so off we set to take in some sites via the “hop on hop off” bus. First stop Trinity College and “The Book of Kells” . A nice tour and well worth a visit. Thankfully the crowds were no where to be seen so we had plenty of time and space to take in the displays and brush up on my religious history. While at the College we wandered the old library, reportedly the inspiration for the Hogwarts library and I can see the resemblance, absolutely stunning and a good experience.
Tried to get into Kilmainham Goal but apparently you need to book! No worries, let’s catch a cab back to the Guinness Storehouse and do the tour there instead (It’s still history and culture isn’t it?) Great tour but of course being Gluten based Robyn was unable to partake so I had to take one for the team and drink her pint as well as mine.......
Best joke of the day from one of the hop on hop off bus drivers - “Daddy do all fairy tales begin with Once upon a time...... No darling, most fairy tales begin with Once I get elected I promise.......” He went on to lament the caliber of the Irish politicians but I think we can relate!
A new day and off we head for more of Dublin. Walked 18000 steps including a great tour of the Gaol and a better insight to the treatment of political prisoners, the great potato famine and a number of uprisings in the battle for independence. Well worth a visit. More great shops and food to be had and then relaxed into the Temple Bar (again) with a pint of the Ruby red or black stuff commonly known as Guinness. The band was outstanding and you couldn’t stop the legs from tapping or the hands from clapping. Not sure what happened but it was getting close to midnight before the head hit the pillow. Mind you only 1 pint of Guinness in 2 hours (starting to drink like a local). Robyn brought a CD and it might not make it home if it’s the only one we buy as 12 weeks on repeat could see it, or me, thrown out the window.
What has been wonderful to see in Dublin is that “someone” has had the vision to retain the character and identity of the city. Beautiful old buildings in the city centre, not a high rise to be seen! Great traditional Irish pubs that are welcoming, not seedy, with not a pokie or TV screen in sight! Consequently the city has a wonderful relaxed feel full of charm and everything Irish! People walking, shopping, chatting, great atmosphere and the city seems to be thriving! Perhaps the Tasmanian politicians and the Hobart councillors need to pay a visit and find out it can be done! It is possible to retain what is unique and quintessential without sacrificing progress and economic growth.
The library at Trinity college
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