Two days in Dublin

Rosslare beach

Turns out Rosslare is more than just a ferry port – who knew? I had to wait around for the train this morning so took a drive down to the real town and beach. It’s quite cute and one of the nicest beaches I’ve seen in Ireland; and to think I’ve been here twice and wasn’t even going to look around – one of those hidden treasures people always talk about.

Ahhhh, bliss!!! Back on a train with nothing to do but sit back and relax while heading up to Dublin and a five or ten minute walk to my hostel.

Staying anywhere but Temple Bar was out of the question, Barnacles Temple House is where I ended up for 2 nights – in a single room though, I’m way to old to enjoy sharing.

The Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin

I’m also becoming a pro at ticking one thing off my to do list on the afternoon I arrive, so dumped my gear and headed off to find Trinity College and the Old Library. Got a bargain too, because there was only half an hour left until closing, the entry fee was half price – saved a whole £4.50!!. As I wasn’t that interested in the Book of Kells,  I was happy with that. I don’t get tired of seeing the different architecture of these lovely old buildings, and the books – you can smell them, it’s divine! They have cabinets down the middle of the room with a selection of items from the library, the inks display really grabbed my  attention but I had plenty of time to have a squiz at all of them. I was so tempted downstairs in the shop to buy something but managed to curb myself!!

Found a nice pub in Temple Bar for dinner and listened to the music for a while before heading back to the hostel where I joined the other nerds and caught up on blogging – well, not caught up, but put in some time writing!

Rosslare could be a tad windy I think

Rosslare

Old Guinness ad

Who’d want to be a spinner? Found in a pub in Dublin

And the organ grinders had to sleep in the wash house!

Great food and music

The Long Room at the Old Library, Dublin

The Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin

Inks display at the Old Library

At Trinity College Dublin

Another skylight, Barnacles Tempe House, Dublin

16th May 2013

Guinness vat

I really didn’t feel like sightseeing today, but couldn’t bring myself to not see as much as I could in my short stay, so braved the cold and rain to find the nearest hop on hop off bus stop. Everywhere and everyone rates the Guinness Storehouse tour as one of the top attractions here so that’s where I spent the next couple of hours. It was interesting, looks like they’ve essentially gutted the inside of the building but left interesting features  and machinery intact. The circular seventh floor is pretty neat with a round bar in the centre of  the room with 6 big Guinness taps and glass windows all around for a great view of the city.  Your entry fee gives you access to the whole place and a pint of Guinness. It’s not that popular a drink at home and I was absolutely amazed at the number of people lining up for their free pint – my ticket still has the free drink stub attached!

It really was a miserable day so I stayed on the bus until we arrived back in the city and then just wandered back to the hostel for an early night – put earplugs in and slept like a log.

The 7th floor bar at the Guiness Storehouse, Dublin

Guinness Storehouse

At the Storehouse in Dublin

Vintage at Guinness Storehouse

Now that’s a lot of barley

Water, 8 million litres a day from the Wicklow Mountains

Bottle display at the Storehouse

And miles of merchandise at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin

The 7th floor bar at the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

River Liffey in Dublin

Music in the Temple Bar, Dublin

Iconic Temple Bar, Dublin