We awoke, peeked outside and found the rain was still with us. Slowly we rose, not feeling rushed to start the day. We eventually found our way downstairs to breakfast and discovered the rain slacking as we finished eating. Starting our trek, we found the air cooler but thankfully no rain, we headed toward the Tourist Information office to plan our day. On the way we strolled through the grounds and gift shop of Trinity College, where Kate made several purchases. Arriving at the TI office too early we were met by locked doors and other travelers waiting around the entrance. Once open, Kate looked for more gift and I for plans on our day, we found neither and decided to wing it. We passed the Bank of Ireland, formerly a British Government Building, then worked our way through town. We casually strolled past the Georgian Row Houses, then through the two main parks at city center, Merrion Square and St. Stephen's Green. We found an amateur art exhibit surrounding Merrion Square, as well as crews setting up a stage and tent for an upcoming concert within the park. After departing St. Stephen's, we trekked up Grafton Street before diverting west.
We eventually arrived near the Dublin Castle and decided to join a tour. The wait wasn't as long as the queue suggested and we were soon roaming the elegant halls and rooms of the Government Complex, formerly the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922. First founded in by King John in 1204, the building has fulfilled many roles throughout it's history. After touring the building, we soon head to the foundations of the castle to explore recent excavations that hint to the buildings origins. Dublin, in Irish tongue, means "black pool" and we are looking at the original black pool and quay where supplies were loaded and battles fought. After our tour we continued west past Christ Church and St. Audoen's and soon arrived at the Brazen Head, Europe's oldest pub. A pub has occupied this spot continuously since 1198. We find a comfortable table near the fireplace and settle in for a pint before exploring Dublin further.
Back on the street again we follow the Liffey as it cuts through town, dividing the more affluent south from the working class north, arriving at O'Connell Bridge where we divert our path and follow O'Connell Street north. O'Connell street is one of Europe's widest avenues, often compared to Paris' Champs-Élysées for it's wide and simple but elegant layout. We tracked Connelly street north past the General Post Office, site of the Easter Rising in 1912, and observed the historical statues that dot this wide avenue. Soon we arrived at the Spire, also called "the Stiletto in the Ghetto", rising from the median and grabbed a picture. We continued toward Parnell Square and soon arrived at the Rotunda to make our way west past the Rotunda Hospital, Europe's first maternity facility. We soon found ourselves in an open air street market that had just recently vacated for the evening, leaving empty tables and debris strewn on the pavement. This scruffy working class neighborhood was off the beaten track and a stark contrast to the environment on the other side of the river. We then made our way back to the Liffey.
Soon we were back at the river and followed it's northern quay, past the Four Courts building, across the Ha'Penny Bridge, before again visiting the Temple Bar District. The sun seemed to stand still on the horizon as the gloaming, or long, muted sunset of the extreme north, had hold of the evening. We paused to watch several street performers, one performer was playing a "violin" he constructed from a paint can and wood carved by his own hand. Not finding any suitable dinner choices in Temple Bar we returned to Foley's, dined on Irish pub grub. We struck up a pleasant conversation with the American travelers seated next to us, who were also spending their last night in Dublin before returning home the following day. Following dinner we returned to O'Donohue's and found it to be only crowded, not to the extreme of the previous night, and were even able to eventually grab a seat. While listening to the traditional music session being performed, we met a pleasantly inebriated local and his Australian fiancee, as well as a gentleman from Howth who claimed to live next to U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. After a few pints and the pleasant company, we found ourselves growing tired and made our exit for a nice stroll through the quiet streets back to the hotel in the still present gloaming. Once back at the hotel we spied a rainbow over the Wicklow Mountains before relaxing and eventually turning in after our busy day.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
We eventually arrived near the Dublin Castle and decided to join a tour. The wait wasn't as long as the queue suggested and we were soon roaming the elegant halls and rooms of the Government Complex, formerly the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland until 1922. First founded in by King John in 1204, the building has fulfilled many roles throughout it's history. After touring the building, we soon head to the foundations of the castle to explore recent excavations that hint to the buildings origins. Dublin, in Irish tongue, means "black pool" and we are looking at the original black pool and quay where supplies were loaded and battles fought. After our tour we continued west past Christ Church and St. Audoen's and soon arrived at the Brazen Head, Europe's oldest pub. A pub has occupied this spot continuously since 1198. We find a comfortable table near the fireplace and settle in for a pint before exploring Dublin further.
Back on the street again we follow the Liffey as it cuts through town, dividing the more affluent south from the working class north, arriving at O'Connell Bridge where we divert our path and follow O'Connell Street north. O'Connell street is one of Europe's widest avenues, often compared to Paris' Champs-Élysées for it's wide and simple but elegant layout. We tracked Connelly street north past the General Post Office, site of the Easter Rising in 1912, and observed the historical statues that dot this wide avenue. Soon we arrived at the Spire, also called "the Stiletto in the Ghetto", rising from the median and grabbed a picture. We continued toward Parnell Square and soon arrived at the Rotunda to make our way west past the Rotunda Hospital, Europe's first maternity facility. We soon found ourselves in an open air street market that had just recently vacated for the evening, leaving empty tables and debris strewn on the pavement. This scruffy working class neighborhood was off the beaten track and a stark contrast to the environment on the other side of the river. We then made our way back to the Liffey.
Soon we were back at the river and followed it's northern quay, past the Four Courts building, across the Ha'Penny Bridge, before again visiting the Temple Bar District. The sun seemed to stand still on the horizon as the gloaming, or long, muted sunset of the extreme north, had hold of the evening. We paused to watch several street performers, one performer was playing a "violin" he constructed from a paint can and wood carved by his own hand. Not finding any suitable dinner choices in Temple Bar we returned to Foley's, dined on Irish pub grub. We struck up a pleasant conversation with the American travelers seated next to us, who were also spending their last night in Dublin before returning home the following day. Following dinner we returned to O'Donohue's and found it to be only crowded, not to the extreme of the previous night, and were even able to eventually grab a seat. While listening to the traditional music session being performed, we met a pleasantly inebriated local and his Australian fiancee, as well as a gentleman from Howth who claimed to live next to U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. After a few pints and the pleasant company, we found ourselves growing tired and made our exit for a nice stroll through the quiet streets back to the hotel in the still present gloaming. Once back at the hotel we spied a rainbow over the Wicklow Mountains before relaxing and eventually turning in after our busy day.
To see the rest of the pictures go HERE.
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