The curtain has closed on our second day in Ireland's capital. We didn't cover a whole lot, but still made a full day of things.
After rousing a bit later than we had intended (barely sleeping on the plane ride over really sapped us, so I think we earned a 10-hour night), we took the Luas down to the center of the city, where we moved onto the Temple Bar area. On Saturday mornings, an organic food market sets up in Temple Bar, and we were all curious. Disappointingly, it wasn't very large, with maybe just a dozen or so stalls. Organic fruits and veggies, baked goods (which did look delicious), and meats were all on offer. We all ended up buying a little something-I plumped down for some homemade sausage wrapped in a flaky roll. A decent lunch (yep, that's how late a start we got).
With the organic market done with, we moved on to one of the city's main sites: The Guinness Storehouse. I doubt I have to get into much history here, but Guinness is Ireland's signature brew-Arthur Guinness set up his company producing the famous black drink in 1789 in Dublin. If you haven't heard about this drink, I ask how you have an internet connection where you live under a rock. Anyway, the so-called storehouse is more of a museum, giving the history of the company, details about the process of making Guinness, and of course opportunities for tasting. Its a huge building, something like 8 stories (that's big for Dublin, its a very low-lying city, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Storehouse is the tallest structure). The bottom floors have exhibits on the process of making Guinness, which didn't really interest me that much, but some of the higher floors have more interesting things, such as a history of the company's advertising campaigns.
The self-guided tour (16 euros for an adult) ends off with a free pint at the top of the building known as the Gravity Bar, which gives great panoramic views of the city. It was packed with tourists though, so we took our drinks to a lower level with ample seating. After hanging out for a bit and then doing some souvenir shopping in the obligatory gift shop (you would be surprised the kind of things you can slap the Guinness logo on-oven mitts? Really?), we headed back to our place of residence for a rest and to put down our gear.
After hanging out for a beat, we headed back out into the cool evening (a jacket is recommended for the later hours here in Dublin), primarily for a meal. Returning to the city center, we first passed by St. Patrick's Cathedral (another huge stone structure) and its adjacent park, where locals and tourists alike were enjoying the evening. From there we basically just ambled about for a place to get an Irish meal, finally settling on a pub called O'neill's (a bit cliche, I know), where I could satisfy my urge to get Shepard's Pie. It was a bit odd, it had all the look and feel off a pub, but you had to go to a room in the back to order the food cafeteria style. This was alright, we didn't have to wait long to eat. Better yet, the food was good. Shepard's Pie eaten, check that off.
From there we walked along Grafton Street, the main pedestrian and shopping street in the city. Disappointingly, it was a bit quiet, I was hoping for a chance at some people watching, but apparently things slow down on Grafton during the night. We took a quick peep into Dawson's Lounge (on Dawson Street, parallel to Grafton), supposedly the smallest pub in the World. It was pretty tiny, but could probably take 20 or so people, I think that claim might be dubious. From there, we walked around just a bit more, checking out another pub of note, Grogan's. The interior was very nice, with wood-paneled walls adorned with various artwork, and a stain-glass window. We didn't hang around for a drink though, as the crowd's absent from Grafton had apparently congregated there. So with that, with the clock nearing ten, we came back to the apartment. I'll say that, despite my short stay so far, Dublin has pleased me. It isn't really packed with things to see, but it has a wonderful big-town feel (I love a mega-city as much as the next guy (Bangkok-can't wait to go back) but sometimes large cites can be overpowering. Dublin, even though its a capital, doesn't do this to the visitor. Its just pleasant), it's very easy to get around, and the locals have proved to be very friendly and always willing to help. Many parts are very touristy, but Dublin is most certainly worth a shout.
Tomorrow, the real adventure begins, as we rent a vehicle and head north. Come by to see how we did driving on the left, and more. Until then, check out some pics:
After rousing a bit later than we had intended (barely sleeping on the plane ride over really sapped us, so I think we earned a 10-hour night), we took the Luas down to the center of the city, where we moved onto the Temple Bar area. On Saturday mornings, an organic food market sets up in Temple Bar, and we were all curious. Disappointingly, it wasn't very large, with maybe just a dozen or so stalls. Organic fruits and veggies, baked goods (which did look delicious), and meats were all on offer. We all ended up buying a little something-I plumped down for some homemade sausage wrapped in a flaky roll. A decent lunch (yep, that's how late a start we got).
With the organic market done with, we moved on to one of the city's main sites: The Guinness Storehouse. I doubt I have to get into much history here, but Guinness is Ireland's signature brew-Arthur Guinness set up his company producing the famous black drink in 1789 in Dublin. If you haven't heard about this drink, I ask how you have an internet connection where you live under a rock. Anyway, the so-called storehouse is more of a museum, giving the history of the company, details about the process of making Guinness, and of course opportunities for tasting. Its a huge building, something like 8 stories (that's big for Dublin, its a very low-lying city, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Storehouse is the tallest structure). The bottom floors have exhibits on the process of making Guinness, which didn't really interest me that much, but some of the higher floors have more interesting things, such as a history of the company's advertising campaigns.
The self-guided tour (16 euros for an adult) ends off with a free pint at the top of the building known as the Gravity Bar, which gives great panoramic views of the city. It was packed with tourists though, so we took our drinks to a lower level with ample seating. After hanging out for a bit and then doing some souvenir shopping in the obligatory gift shop (you would be surprised the kind of things you can slap the Guinness logo on-oven mitts? Really?), we headed back to our place of residence for a rest and to put down our gear.
After hanging out for a beat, we headed back out into the cool evening (a jacket is recommended for the later hours here in Dublin), primarily for a meal. Returning to the city center, we first passed by St. Patrick's Cathedral (another huge stone structure) and its adjacent park, where locals and tourists alike were enjoying the evening. From there we basically just ambled about for a place to get an Irish meal, finally settling on a pub called O'neill's (a bit cliche, I know), where I could satisfy my urge to get Shepard's Pie. It was a bit odd, it had all the look and feel off a pub, but you had to go to a room in the back to order the food cafeteria style. This was alright, we didn't have to wait long to eat. Better yet, the food was good. Shepard's Pie eaten, check that off.
From there we walked along Grafton Street, the main pedestrian and shopping street in the city. Disappointingly, it was a bit quiet, I was hoping for a chance at some people watching, but apparently things slow down on Grafton during the night. We took a quick peep into Dawson's Lounge (on Dawson Street, parallel to Grafton), supposedly the smallest pub in the World. It was pretty tiny, but could probably take 20 or so people, I think that claim might be dubious. From there, we walked around just a bit more, checking out another pub of note, Grogan's. The interior was very nice, with wood-paneled walls adorned with various artwork, and a stain-glass window. We didn't hang around for a drink though, as the crowd's absent from Grafton had apparently congregated there. So with that, with the clock nearing ten, we came back to the apartment. I'll say that, despite my short stay so far, Dublin has pleased me. It isn't really packed with things to see, but it has a wonderful big-town feel (I love a mega-city as much as the next guy (Bangkok-can't wait to go back) but sometimes large cites can be overpowering. Dublin, even though its a capital, doesn't do this to the visitor. Its just pleasant), it's very easy to get around, and the locals have proved to be very friendly and always willing to help. Many parts are very touristy, but Dublin is most certainly worth a shout.
Tomorrow, the real adventure begins, as we rent a vehicle and head north. Come by to see how we did driving on the left, and more. Until then, check out some pics:
Try the sausage roll....it's delicious
The gang does Guinness
Dublin skyline from the top of the Guinness Storehouse
The park next to St. Patrick's Cathedral
The interior of Grogan's was pretty classy
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