Dublin Days

August 22, 2022

Tourism is alive and well in Dublin, population 500,000 and half again that many tourists.

Friend Rose Lynch, 35 years playing golf together at Cherokee CC, took up the "call" and joined me in Ireland to share the adventure. She flew in to Dublin, so I met her there for 2+ days of site seeing. We wisely oriented ourselves to the city by doing a hop on/hop off bus excursion. We instinctively choose the same shops, pubs, attractions to enjoy and she makes a wonderful travel partner.

#1 Tourist attraction in all of Ireland is the Guinness Storefront. Given that we make beer in Wisconsin, we're not inclined to take a tour to see how beer is made. Ditto the Jameson and Teeling distilleries, Teeling being literally across the street from the hotel. I'd rather you just pour me a glass.

We are lucking in to the cutest and most fun dining and pub spots. The bartender at Lundy Foot's was a show all on his own and informed us that Lundy made snuff in this building which is all stone/brick and copper ceiling.

Tired as we were, when you pass a pub called the Beer Temple, you are simply compelled to enter. This is the menu. Oh, this is just the beer side. The other side is Whiskeys and spirits. Did you want food? Different menu. Smaller.

Dublin Day 2

First off, we tried to go to Jail. Turns out you need tickets so we booked it for later. Next to the Jail is the Irish Modern Art Museum. The proximity was not lost on me given the disturbing displays within. Nonetheless, the formal gardens surrounding the museum were breathtakingly beautiful.

Everyone insisted we go to jail, though no one offered bail. Turns out the Kilmainham Gaol is famous for being the first 'modern' prison in the Victorian era given that it had windows, food and was somewhat humane. Even at that, it strikes me as a reasonable goal in life is to not end up in one. The history encompassed the famine and uprising(s) and much of the leaders who would become government officials and/or martyred for their efforts. Highly interesting learning session and glad we went.