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    • TravelerTwo Jims' European Adventure
      Day 90

      CÚIG GHRIANGHRAF-Ireland Day 25

      July 12, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

      Today was our first full day in Dublin. We started with breakfast with Peter and Jarek, and we decided that this would just be a "get a feel for the" city day and we would select attractions as the mood called us.

      Today was overcast, but the temperatures were pleasant. We passed by St. Patrick's Cathedral an Anglican Church where Jonathan Swift once served as its Dean.

      We decided to explore Christ Church Cathedral which was built under Viking in the early 11th century. My first impression of the church was the sense of how old it was. We learned that the roof collapsed in the 16th century and it was rebuilt from a wealthy distiller of whiskey hundreds of years later.

      Besides the church, one of the first things that captures your eye is the prone monument over the resting point of Strongbow. The name Strongbow gives the image of a strong soldier, but he was not known by that nickname until several hundred years after his death and it might be more of a loss in translation. We found it funny that he was described as "...a rather gangly, effeminate and softly-spoken man with ginger hair and freckles who had ‘more of the air of a man-at-arms than a general-in-chief".

      I couldn't help think of the fierce queens of Stonewall. Don't underestimate their strength or determination.

      Despite the depiction, Strongbow was known for leading an army of Normans in an invasion of Waterford, and he was promised the hand of the Irish princess Aoife and subsequently considerable land. Traditionally business deals signed over his resting place were considered a sign of sealing the deal.

      The cathedral was otherwise quite beautiful. Purportedly the choir of Christ Church were among those who first performed Handel's Messiah in 1742. Having sung that piece in a church choir, I imagined the honor of performing in the choir lofts here.

      After our visit to Christ Church we decided to make a visit to the EPIC museum which celebrates Irish history and documents the hardships that caused Irish immigration as well as the influence of Irish immigrants in world. I took the opportunity to work with Maura, a genealogist, during our visit to EPIC. She was very helpful in unlocking some family tree mysteries where I had been stuck around my maternal grandfather's lineage.

      After our visit we had the pleasure to connect with Frank who I sang with in the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. Frank is originally from Dublin and he returned a few years ago. We enjoyed a few pints at The George, a stately gay Irish pub, and we enjoyed dinner and catching up at an area Italian Restaurant. It was a very fine day, and we are really enjoying this last leg of our journey.      Read more

    • TravelerTwo Jims' European Adventure
      Day 91

      CÚIG GHRIANGHRAF-Ireland Day 26

      July 13, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      Today our destination was to see the Book of Kells and the Long Hall at Trinity College. I had not really known much about the book and first heard a reference to it in an animated fiction movie that our son-in-law told us about, "The Secret of Kells". Our granddaughter's middle name is Aisling and her parents parents chose it because her piercing blue eyes reminded her father of that character.

      The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript of the four Gospels and its thought to have been created by monks around the beginning of the 9th Century. The calligraphy is intricate and supposedly given more attention than the actual text accuracy. It's name comes from a monastery in Ireland where it was housed for centuries.

      We had a timed entry to set the exhibit, and we were first led to a maze of background displays before entering the room where the book is displayed. We found the prefacing displays to be a bit random and unclear about sequencing. I did like seeing the example of parchment although purportedly the pages were not paper, but made from tanned calf skins(vellum) cured with excrement.

      We were not allowed to take photos of the displayed portion of the book displayed. It was pretty amazing to see how vibrant the colors were given that it is around 1300 years old.

      We proceeded to the Long Hall after leaving the display. It was one of the most magnificent libraries that I have ever witnessed. The rows of books packed in two levels of ceiling high bookshelves was really spectacular. Both the visual display and the smell of the woodwork and books created a memorable sensory experience.

      I'm reminded that an e-book is no substitute for the feel and smell of a book. I could have just sat and meditated in that beautiful library for hours. I'm grateful for the books that we have at home.

      After enjoying burritos outdoors on a sunny afternoon, we made our way to St Patrick's Cathedral which is near where we are staying. St. Patrick's Cathedral was founded as a Catholic cathedral in 1191 A.D. It is currently the national Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. One of the Cathedral's most notable deans was Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels" and other works. The Cathedral is known for its choir who also participated in the first performance of Handel's "Messiah". The church was in considerable disrepair in the 19th century, and the famous brewmaker Guinness contributed funds for its restoration. It's interesting that both Cathedrals in Dublin were restored by brewers.

      We took a rest in the afternoon and we enjoyed a return visit to The George for a beer. We went to a nearby Japanese restaurant for dinner, and we returned to our flat. We wrapped the evening with a nice conversation with our hosts. It was another great day in this beautiful city.      Read more

    • TravelerTwo Jims' European Adventure
      Day 92

      CÚIG GHRIANGHRAF-Ireland Day 27

      July 14, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      We checked out Phoenix Park today which is also the home of the Dublin Zoo. The park is massive and well kept with beautiful garden beds and trees.

      We enjoyed our trip to the zoo. We sometimes go to zoos with mixed feelings as we worry about the enclosures where animals are housed. The Dublin Zoo was a nice exception, as the areas where the elephants, lions and gorillas were kept were quite spacious, and efforts to match habitat were notable. The zoo walk is pleasant, and it's fun to listen to the kids with Irish accents. It reminded us of missing our zoo time with Olive.

      After leaving the zoo we walked back toward the city and stopped at the Brazen Head Pub for wings, chips and a pint. The Brazen Head is the oldest pub in Ireland dating back to the late 12th century. This underscores our experience in Europe: In the states we consider something very old if it is over 150 years old. It's been hard to fathom witnessing sites that are thousands of years old as well as staying in neighborhoods from Medieval times.

      We had no plans this evening, and we went to a movie, something we haven't done the whole trip. Jim C and I went to see "Everything, Everywhere, and All at Once". He hadn't seen it, and it was the last film that I saw in a movie theater right before we left for our trip. We found the showing at the Irish Film Institute, and it reminded us of the smaller movie theaters back home. It was another good day in Dublin.      Read more

    • TravelerTwo Jims' European Adventure
      Day 93

      CÚIG GHRIANGHRAF-Ireland Day 28

      July 15, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      We had a bit of a rocky start today. When we woke up, I noticed a reference to an Alaska Airlines alert to a schedule change. Most of these changes have been trivial, but we learned from the agent that British Airways had canceled the Dublin to London flight, our first leg of our trip home tomorrow.

      We tried calling British Airways to explore other back-up options, and we heard recorded announcements to call back later. We decided to take an Uber to the airport to see if we could talk to a live person. 30€ later, we discovered that no one was at the BA ticket counter upon our arrival at the terminal. At this point, I kept trying to call Alaska Airlines back and the call dropped several times until we discovered that British Airways had rebooked flights from Saturday to Tuesday.

      I should note that we know that air travel this summer in Europe and some cities in the U.S. have been quite a trial for many travelers. We don't expect to have some magical exemption to protect a cancellation from happening to us. But I did have a bit of a meltdown when there was just no one to talk with about a remedy. British Airways is complete "shite" 💩 as they say over here.

      In the scheme of things, we're fine. We've booked a hotel for three more nights at a reasonable price in the heart of a really great city. The weather is expected be sunny and warm. We're not missing an important family event or an important work meeting. We will likely be reimbursed for most or all of our expenses caused by the delay.

      My childish side still claims the right to some sulking and fuming time. I was happy to embrace my inner twelve-year-old. And admittedly I did revert to a few hours of life not being fair.

      Jim C chose a walk in a park and reading a new book as a coping strategy. I chose being holed up in our bedroom and an eventual walk around the city with a quick culinary diversion of Dutch Apple pie.

      Jim snd and I had a rendezvous at The George, and we has a great Asian meal of stuffed dumplings and noodles. We met up with an online acquaintance, and we had a great conversation with him. It was fun hearing about his hiking travels in Wyoming and Montana

      When we returned to the flat, we had a great conversation with our gracious hosts.

      In reflection, when I'm in a deficit mind frame, I have learned that a good cure is to make gratitude lists. That shift was catalyzed by a walk through Love Alley, a space where the walls were decorated with hearts and various affirmations and excerpt from song lyrics. One in particular caught my eye:

       "We have enough.
      We have each other.
      We have everything."

      Indeed we do.      Read more

    • Irland u. Schottland 2022
      Day 1

      Döblin here we come!

      September 9, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      Gestern war es endlich soweit! Wir sind in die langersehnten Ferien aufgebrochen. Langersehnt wortwörtlich: seit wir vor 15 Jahren in Schottland waren sprechen wir davon, dass wir zurück möchten. Aber zuerst bereisen wir Irland - auf gehts!

      Zur Reise selbst gibts nicht viel zu sagen, lief alles super "smooth". Gab nur kurz einen kleinen Schocker nachdem wir uns in unseren Sitz im Flugzeug gequetscht haben: 'es gäbe Probleme mit den Startslots und wir würden jetzt mal einfach eine Stunde hier rumstehn, wir sollten es uns gemütlich machen'..... fünf Minuten später sind wir abgeflogen. Humor des Käptains? Missverständnis? Egal, hauptsache es lief alles nach Plan.

      In Dublin angekommen sind wir relativ zügig in unser überteuertes, dafür zentrales Hotel, welches seine besten Zeiten wohl vor 50 Jahren hatte. Dafür ist die Empfangsdame wie eine Manifestation direkt aus "Little Britain". Sie spricht mit völlig übertriebenem, überfreuntlichem Singsang in der Stimme. Währenddessen 'lächelt' sie konstant und zeigt dabei ihre übergrossen, vergilbten Zähne. Und wenn sie sich bewegt, dann wirkt es wobellig, fluid und spastig zugleich. Wir sind überzeugt: die Aliens weilen unter uns.

      Da Reisen immer anstrengend ist für uns, haben wir uns entschieden den Nachmittag mit klassischem Touri-Programm zu verbringen: Shopping, Guiness-Storehousetour und Abendessen im Brazen Head, dem ältesen Pub Dublins (gegründet elfhundertirgendwas). Highlight war auf jeden Fall das Guiness, welches wir auf unserer Tour durchs Storehouse tranken: unser Foto auf dem Schaum! Wie geil ist das denn?

      Braucht das die Welt? Ja unbedingt!
      Wie wirds gemacht? Magie. Definitiv Magie. Scheint, dass MJ ihren Dumbledore Zauberstab nicht vergebens mitgebracht hab 😏      Read more

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    • Irland u. Schottland 2022
      222
      Day 2

      Teatime im Park

      September 10, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

      Die Lady im Laden hatte uns tags zuvor bereits freudig mitgeteilt, dass der heutige Tag wettertechnisch das Highlight der Woche darstellen würde. Also planten wir für Aussen-Aktivitäten. Mehr dazu gleich. 

      Wir starteten den Tag mit deftigem Frühstück. Zwar kein „Irish Breakfast“ aber doch Egg Benedict und Avocado-Toast. Kurz darauf düsten wir mit der Tramlinie in Richtung Phoenix Park, dem grössten städtischen Park in Europa. Zweimal Central Park hatten darin Platz. Entsprechend hatten wir keine Lust auf Laufen, also kurz die App für Sharing-Bikes runtergeladen und losgeradelt. Highlight: Freilaufende Hirsche im Park. Ohhhhh. Zudem  sahen wir das erste Mal im Leben ein Poloturnier (keine Zuschauer, der Sport scheint auf dem Absteigenden Ast), tranken Green Tee und assen Scones mit Marmelade (die zur Hälfte auf dem Boden landete). 

      Dann wieder ins Zentrum, und weil wir heute einen lockeren Tag wollten, entschieden wir uns für eine Hop-on-hop-off-Bustour. Und diese war für einmal riiiiichtig gut. Das lag vor allem am Dubliner Turguide Ross, der live kommentierte - und das sehr unterhaltsam. Gewusst? Die offizielle Farbe von Irland ist blau und nicht grün; Vikinger gründeten die Siedlung Dublin; es reden mehr Menschen Polnisch als Irisch in Irland; und Mahlzeiten in Pubs sind eine relativ junge Zeiterscheinung. Aha!

      Noch was Interessantes: Die Iren spinnen voll auf den US-Countrysänger Garth Brooks. Der ist sowas wie ein Heiliger hier. Und gerade jetzt gibt er in Dublin fünf Konzerte, an denen 400’000 Menschen insgesamt dabei sind. Cowboyhüte überall. Ich meine: Überall! So viel zu irischen Klischees…

      Um das auszugleichen, tranken wir gleich zwei Guiness. Prost.       Read more

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    • ToietmoiegalvoyageTour d’Europe
      41
      Day 83

      84ème étape ~ Dublin

      October 24, 2022 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

      Après avoir récupéré notre amie Morgane à l’aéroport, nous entamons la visite de cette fameuse ville. 🥰
      Nous découvrons les statues construites en hommage aux victimes de la grande famine. Puis, celle de Molly Malone, la légende qui aurait inspiré l’hymne officieux irlandais. La tradition veut qu’on lui touche les seins afin de repartir avec de la chance. ☺️
      Nous nous sommes baladés à travers les rues de Dublin et avons traversé le jardin du musée d’art moderne et celui de Trinity College. 👣
      Nous avons visité la prison de Kilmainham, qui n’est plus utilisée depuis 1924.
      Sans oublier les multiples arrêts pour boire un verre ou manger une croque. 🥪      Read more

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    • TravelerShort trip to Dublin
      312
      Day 1

      Dublin

      March 28, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      Nachdem wir mit zwei Stunden Verspätung gestartet sind, ging der Flug dann doch leicht von der Hand. 😁🛫

      Nach der Landung ging es auf die Suche nach einem Taxi, wobei die offizielle Taxischlange sehr sehr lang war. Haben wir uns für einen privaten Anbieter entschieden und hier ging es dann doch schneller.
      Das Hotel war dann auch schnell erreicht, bisschen außerhalb aber wirklich schön und nah zu unserem Ziel für morgen. Haben uns aber nicht lange hier aufgehalten und es ging auch schon wieder mit dem nächsten Taxi ins Zentrum.
      Unser irischer Taxifahrer hatte uns dann direkt ein paar Tips gegeben und uns das O'Neills Pub empfohlen, also hat es uns nach einem kurzen Walk durch die Tempel Bar Straße da hin getrieben.
      Witzigerweise war hier zufällig auch ein Treffen von Leuten die eine App benutzen, die MeetUp heißt, und schwups waren wir mittendrin im reden mit Leuten von überall her
      Lustiger Zufall und wirklich gut. 😎

      Natürlich gab es auch typisches irisches Bier und ich habe mir direkt ein Irish Stew gegönnt, was einfach sehr schmackhaft war. 🤤
      Danach ging es dann wieder mit dem Taxi Richtung Hotel und nach einem Absacker an der Bar 🍸 ging es dann auch weiter in die Zimmer.

      Morgen tagsüber geht es erstmal ein bisschen arbeiten und Nachmittags/Abends werden wir mit unseren Kollegen eine Stadtrunde machen. 🇮🇪

      Wir sind schon auf alles sehr gespannt.      Read more

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    • TravelerIrland
      1111
      Day 2

      Erster Tag in Dublin

      April 26, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

      Gestern, 25.4.2023, sind wir um 22.30h in Dublin gelandet.
      Müde haben wir unser Zimmer im Hotel The Fleet bezogen. Der erste Schritt in unser Schlafgemach war nicht so das Wahre….. was für ein Gastank in diesem Raum. Leider konnten wir das Zimmer nicht mehr wechseln, alles ausgebucht….
      Am nächsten Morgen, nach dem Frühstück, packten wir unsere Koffer und im verlauf des Tages wurden unsere sieben Sachen in ein anderes Zimmer gebracht.
      Wir machten uns schon Früh auf die Socken. Nach 40 Minuten durch die Stassen laufen und das Morgenleben von Dublin zu sehen, kamen wir zu unserem ersten Ziel.
      Kilmainham Goal. Eindrücklich und spannend. Die Geschichte Irlands wurde uns auf eine tief bewegende Art vermittelt. Unser Guide erzählte uns einfühlend und emotional vom Leid der irischen Geschichte und Geschichten von Insassen. Der jüngste Gefangene hatte en zartes Alter von drei Jahren. Da betteln in Irland verboten war, die Hungersnot riesig war, bettelte ein kleiner Junge nach Essen. Dies war der Grund, dass er ins Gefängnis musste. Viele ähnliche Geschichten wurden uns näher gebracht.

      Nach einem Spaziergang durch den Park kamen wir zur grössten Brauerei Irlands.
      „Guinness“, einem Besuch durch das Museum kann man sich da natürlich nicht entgehen lassen. Über sieben Stockwerke führt ein Weg mit vielen Informationen über die Geschichte von Guinness. Das Museum ist wirklich toll aufgebaut und lohnt sich für einen Besuch.

      Wieder zurück im Hotel konnten wir unser neues Zimmer beziehen. Was für eine Freude :-) ein frisch renoviertes Zimmer mit einem doppelt so Bett und frisch riechendem Raum. Nach einer kurzen Pause, schlenderten wir durch Temple Bar, an jeder Ecke stehen Musiker, aus den Pub‘s hört man die Musik und die Stimmung in den Strassen ist friedlich und entspannt.
      Zum Abschluss des Tages, gönnten wir uns natürlich noch ein Bier in einem Pub mit live Musik.      Read more

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    • TravelerIreland 2023
      21
      Day 4

      City Views

      May 5, 2023 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

      Between the long days of sightseeing, enjoying the locals in the pubs, and fighting some internet issues, I am behind in my posts. Thinking this will be a common theme. 😄 We are on the south coast of Ireland now having left the city behind. BUT, before I tell you about here, I need to tell you about the past two days!
      __________________________ ☘️☘️ _____________________

      Friday, we spent in Dublin on the south side of the river. This area is where you find the Dublin Castle, the old city walls and Trinity College - Ireland's equilivant to Oxford, Yale or Harvard. Dublin Castle was the seat of English rule in Ireland from 1204 to 1922. Yep, 1200's! Some of these 800+ years old walls still exist. It is just mind-boggling to look at them and think of those who stood there before you.

      The pubs of the city number in the 700s with many having been there for a hundred, two hundred years or more. The history in these places is vast. Many were the haunts of famous Irish authors (think James Joyce or Oscar Wilde) or political rebels fighting for Irish freedom (won in 1922). The first pub we went to was The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Dublin dating to 1653, with the building currently standing dating to 1754. To our happy surprise, the bowl of Irish stew with brown bread and butter we had for lunch was really, really, really good.

      The campus of Trinity feels like the center of the city. The large quad is surrounded by beautiful architecture. When we were here in 2017, we saw the Long Hall and the Book of Kells, so we skipped that this time. Instead, we ventured into the building housing the geology department. The photos below help explain that choice.

      We strolled down Grafton Street, where we heard buskers, saw street vendors selling beautiful flowers, people watched and found our next pub stop. Ready for pint, we popped into O'Neil's and stayed for 2 hours before heading toward our dinner location. We chose to have "boxty" for dinner. Boxty is an Irish term for a mix of potato and flour made into a thin "pancake" (see photo). They then used these pancakes in a manner similar to a taco shell. Richard had his filed with shredded lamb. Our server, David, recommended the corned beef and cabbage, so that is what I had...wow, these were some yummy food!

      Our day wrapped up with a trip over Ha'penny Bridge, then back to our rooms in time for sunset.      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Dublin City, Baile Átha Cliath

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