Ireland Sunday July 29 - Dublin

We spent about half an hour trying to figure out the buses before a lucky combo of frustration and a red light netted us a cab. Our first guy was really polite even though we were saying nonsense. The conversation basically went:

”We’re going to the gow-l.” (spelled gaol).
“Uh…”
“Kilmainham Gaol?”
“You mean the jail?”
“Oh… it’s pronounced the same way?”

Kilmainham Gaol

After that things were simpler. We queued at Kilmainham and were treated to a little museum and a guided tour. The tour at Kilmainham includes a bit of Irish history on the war for Independence and the five failed revolutions (protip: more reasons to hate the French). Highly suggested!


Guinness Storehouse

We cabbed on over to Guinness from the jail and we were given a great tip: When an irish person asks you about your itinerary, don’t be alarmed. They just want to suggest things to you. We’ve been given so much information on things to do I feel bad for having made so many plans in advance. A vacation to Ireland should be left to bare bones must-dos and local suggestion.

Guinness was a self-guided tour that detailed the process of brewing Guinness from hops to cask. The thing, ironically, that Guinness shined in was the delectable lunch available from the fifth floor 'Brewer's Dining Hall'. Go get the Guinness Stew and Chocolate Mousse, you will not be disappointed.

While you’re there, snatch up some of their recipe cards to make at home. Before you leave, make sure to retrieve your complimentary ‘Perfect Pour’ from the Gravity Bar and get the 360 degree view from the top of the factory.

Behind the scenes: While the activity list from the Frommer’s guides were awesome, their maps were awful. I spent a lot of time lost and it caused some big arguments. Do not use their maps.

Christchurch Cathedral

After ambling around the storehouse for a while we ended up walking through Dublin in a downpour and stumbled across Christchurch. It’s a beautiful little area and for a small fee you can wander around at off hours and take pictures of the grounds. If you’re at all interested, go for it!

Dublin Castle was… there. Just don’t.

Queen of Tarts was just as delicious a second time around!

Unfortunately jet lag hit hard at around dinner and we ran back to the hotel to take a nap. That lasted until 9p! Has anyone recently told you that stuff closes in Dublin? Every restaurant near us was closed except for the pubs which had closed their kitchens. Luckily there was a nearby pizza place that was open until 1a. We got a mini pizza each and scurried back to the hotel with our spoils.