Traveling the Emerald Isle - Days 1 and 2, August 19 & 20, 2022

 

Dublin, Ireland – Days 1 & 2, Friday & Saturday, August 19 and 20, 2022

For about ten years we have shared dreams and discussions, tentative plans made and cancelled, and plans made and actually paid for!  However, that 2020 excursion was never made because of the world-wide lockdown.  But this time it’s for real … Off we go to the Emerald Isle!  The flight to Ireland, including a three-hour layover in Boston, was uneventful … but flying into Dublin at sunrise was thrilling with its beautiful green, its checkered fields, cliffs at the ocean’s edge and the City crowded with buildings.  Navigating our way to our hotel was a bit challenging, but the hotel Staff was very accommodating and was well prepared to store our luggage as we immediately began our sightseeing adventure.

Ha Penny Bridge over the Liffy River

First up, The Irish Immigration Museum. It was very interesting with many unique features, though the history was somewhat skewed in that the extreme suffering of the Irish people because of cultural and religious persecution, the domination by the English, wars, famine, etc., was glossed over.   Afterwards, we are starved; so we walked along the Liffy River, which pretty much divides Dublin north and south

The famous Temple Bar

but has numerous interesting bridges crossing it.  The river also hosts many birds and some kayakers as well.  There was quite a bit of hiking while we explored the Temple Bar area of town.  This is where everything is happening!  Many of the narrow streets are pedestrian traffic only; the buildings are old and often beautifully decorated with numerous flower pots; people are milling around the hundreds of bars and restaurants or shopping in the stores.  The traffic pattern still seems weird, as it’s difficult to get used to people driving on the left side of the street. After lunch, we strolled the Temple Bar area some more, then headed to our hotel for a much needed nap before attending Mass this evening.

St. Mary’s Catholic Pro-Cathedral church had some very nice stained glass windows, side alters, mosaic tile floors, altar and various statues.  After Mass we walked back toward the hotel, we found an authentic Irish restaurant, Bennigan's (naturally!), serving delicious fish and chips and, of course, Guinness and Jameson and ginger!  We strolled along  O’Connell Street  named for Daniel O’Connell, The “Liberator” of Irish Catholics… the main drag through down town with its beautiful tree-lined sidewalks and center, numerous statues in the middle commemorating various Irish heroes and buildings with so many unique architectural features from days gone by.  It reminded me a lot of being in Barcelona!  The pillow is now calling since it’s been about 36 hours without sleep ... but what a wonderful day to the beginning of our meandering through Dublin!

The Irish have some very
interesting expressions!

Bob & Frank & Guinness!