Saturday
We had booked cheap flights over to Dublin in advance for the weekend, but in doing so we only had 2 days to fit in as much Dublin and Guinness as we could.
Views over Ireland
This was our first trip to Bristol Airport, with an 8 am flight, allowing for check-in and the Express Coach ride from town to the airport (about 20 to 30 mins) we were up at 5.30am and out the door at home at 6am. The Airport Express picked us up near St Mary’s Church, which was only 5 min walk from home – handy. Then off to the airport in the fog and cold. The weather forecast was for 15 degrees but it certainly colder than that in the morning.
After the delay due to fog, our flight in a 737, was only about half full of passengers. We flew with RyanAir, and it was a budget airline flight with no frills, but it only took around 40 minutes to get to Dublin.
Upon landing at the Airport, we checked through Customs and then grabbed our luggage and picked up our ‘Dublin Passes’ for the weekend. These passes let you go to the front of the queues and covers just about everything you can see and do in Dublin – very worth while and we can highly recommend them.
O'Connell Street and the Spire (120m high)
The coach transfer (included in Dublin Pass) into the centre of Dublin took around 30min and dropped us off in O’Connell Street in the centre of Town. You can find this spot easily from afar, as in the middle of the Street is a 120m high Spire made of stainless steel. Neck bendingly impressive it was as you can by the photos.
We decided as time was of the essence that we would carry our backpack with us, which over the length of the weekend started to get heavy!
Dublin Streetscape
A quick visit to the Tourist Information centre then it was off to find the U2 wall. Dublin is cut into northern and southern halves by the River Liffey which runs pretty much east-west. On the way along the River, we passed the Custom House, which began to be constructed in 1871. It is Dublin’s most costly and highly decorated (with the exception of the exchange) building, and is known as the ‘most sumptuous Edifice’ in Europe. Maybe that is why a government department works in there now…
Custom House
While walking towards the U2 wall along the River edge, there were numerous ships and boats moored along with some interesting statues including this one, which I had tug-o-war with. We were in a rush so I let him win!
The maps we were given for Dublin were not very accurate as we were to find out during our long walks through the city, and the U2 wall we passed without even knowing it. We found out later from a local cabbie that the wall is covered in Graffiti, and Nada noticed it, but didn’t think it was the wall so we kept walking. So no pictures unfortunately of the wall, but in 3 years or so, a new U2 building will be complete at the end of the Docklands, maybe next time we’ll see that…
River Liffey
Warship on the River Liffey
Heading back into town we checked out some of the many museums in Dublin, the first being the Museum of Natural History (which opened in 1857), and it is essentially a big building filled with hundreds of stuffed animals. We received a handful of free postcards as we had our Dublin Pass, and many of the tourist spots have deals like this giving away free gifts for Dublin Pass holders.
Museum of Natural History
Lunch at this pond
We next walked past the Museum of Decorative Arts and History, but did not go in (we did not feel like looking at paintings, etc today), so we grabbed some lunch and ate in the park on the pond edge.
Next was the Museum of Archeology (opened in 1890), which contained various displays of Irelands history from 7000BC to the 20th Century. It included displays from the Celtic and Medieval art, Prehistoric and Viking Age Ireland, along with ancient preserved bodies that were buried in Peat. The peat is dug up and dried and then used (like timber logs) for heating, etc. During the hand digging of the peat, these ancient bodies have been recovered, and exhumed for display. A gruesome but fascinating way to see how a human body can stay persevered somewhat in a peat bog for hundreds or thousands of years. Other items on display included Egyptian, Roman artifacts, weapons, traditional Irish dress, jewelry, and many other items of interest.
Museum of Archeology
Heading west we walked through the grounds of the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, which was founded in 1191. We did not enter the Cathedral again due to lack of time, but there are a minimum of 2 services sung in the cathedral every day of the year.
St Patrick's Cathedral
Guinness Tour
The most famous tour in Dublin is now the Guinness Factory Tour, and we indulged in this tour also. As we arrived at around 4pm on Saturday afternoon, and the entry to the factory stops at 5pm, there was a massive lineup people at least 300 in line waiting to get in. Courtesy of the Dublin Pass we went straight to the front of the queue and were inside on the tour within 5 minutes. It is self guided through the old factory where there are numerous displays, information booths, etc. No actual Guinness can be seen being made (except on TV screens) as it is all made in the adjacent newer plant. There were a number of Kegs on a conveyor belt, but I think they were there for display only. There were hops on display, which I had never seen before, it is this green vine like plant that grows to around 6 metres high, and is only grown in 2 places on earth, one being in Good ol’ Australia. There are displays on barrel making, grain selections, and some tastings along the way. There was also on display all of the bottles of brew over the years, and many old advertising signs, adverts, etc. Once we had seen all the displays, etc, we headed to the bar at the very top of the brewery to have our hard earned and complimentary Pint of Guinness. They pour about two thirds then let it settle for a few minutes before they can fill the remainder of the pint glass… but let me tell you it was worth the wait, it was grand!
Guinness Tour
Guinness Tour
You only get one Pint, but there is of course another Bar down a few levels where you can purchase more Guinness, and back down on the ground floor is the souvenir shop.
Tasty Pints!
View from Guinness Bar
As our feet and legs were quite sore from a full on day of walking on hard pavement everywhere, we grabbed a cab from the Guinness Factory to our hotel for the Night. After we had gotten settled, we ducked downstairs for another Guinness and a Pub Dinner.
Guinness Factory
