Two Days in Dublin

It's been 2 1/2 years since we last traveled overseas. We finally managed to make our trip to walk Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. Worth the wait!

Saturday, 10 September and Sunday, 11 September 2022

We started with two days in Dublin to acclimate to the time change (only 5 hours) before starting our walk.

Saturday was gloriously sunny, and we started the day with a tour of Trinity College, which included the Book of Kells tour.

Lon, with the main entrance to Trinity College in the background.

Buildings at Trinity College run the gamut from quite old (1700s) to very modern. This is the "green wall" at the business school.

The Long Room of the Trinity College Old Library. It's nearly 200 ft long and holds about 200,000 dusty old books. (The Book of Kells is in the basement below this room.)

One of the many alcoves in the Long Room.

Looking down the right side of the Long Room.

After lunch, we visited Christchurch Cathedral - directly across the street from our hotel. Originally Roman Catholic, it has been the seat of the Anglican Church in Ireland for centuries.

Inside the cathedral.

The mummified remains of "The Cat and the Rat" are in the crypt. These two creatures were found in the organ case during a restoration in the 1870s. They also make an appearance in James Joyce's novel, Finnegan's Wake. (Of course, the crypt also has many other interesting items in its collection!)

Sunday weather was quite the opposite, with early morning heavy drizzle turning to substantial rain for much of the day. We did a morning walk on our own to make sure we knew where the train station was, then took the Historical Walking Tour to learn more about Dublin and its history. This entertaining 2-hour tour is given by history graduates and is filled with interesting stories and historical background.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city center.

The brightly painted Blooms Hotel in the Temple Bar area of Dublin is named after a character in James Joyce's Ulysses, Leopold Bloom.

Dublin Castle

Ha'Penny Bridge over the River Liffey goes straight to the Merchant's Arch entrance to Temple Bar.

Beer

As the home of Guiness, Dublin is all about beer.

Get the idea?

The Guiness Brewery and Storehouse is along the river next to the train station.

Beer is serious business if it needs to be delivered via tanker.

Overnights at the Jurys Inn Christchurch. Great location. A bit pricey!