#dodublin

Out on to the streets of Dublin we went again today. We walked along O’Connell Street, across the river and up the street until we reached Trinity College. We entered the grounds and marvelled at the 18th century buildings that surrounded the cobbled paths. Although the university opened during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the current buildings are not original but still spectacular. The university is famous for being the home of the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript in Latin with gospels from the bible. We did not go and see the book, just looked around the grounds.

After our visit here we walked to the bus stop and got the hop on, hop off bus once again. We had the 48 hour pass so we could easily get around. Again we passed some attractions again but again new with a new driver, and the bus went further into the park than yesterday so we saw a bit more which was nice. The bus made its way around and we got off at the stop for the Jameson Distillery Bow Street. This was the original distillery for Jameson Whiskey for many years and although it is now distilled in County Cork the Bow Street facility is a wonderful tour showing how the whisky is made and a tasting experience. On the tour, which was updated in 2017 for those who might have been before, we went in to a room and our guide, Darren, told us about the Jameson story. It was really good. He told the story while on a screen on the table in front the imagery showed aspects of the story. We then move to a room about how the whiskey is made. Not only are we told but there are things to feel, smell and touch. Next is the tasting. You not only taste Jameson whiskey (three times distilled) but examples of American (once distilled) and Scotch (twice distilled) to show differences. Finally, after the tour finished you can have a neat or with dry drink in the bar. It was all very nice. As we were having our drink we got talking to some ladies, one from Ireland and one from the USA. They had made friends online years ago in chat rooms and now are good friends and travel when they can. They were going to Croatia with another friend from Belgium. Such a great story of friendship. It was so nice chatting to them.

The rest of the day was spent going around, getting some lunch and then a wander through Temple Bar before heading back to our hotel.

Dublin awaited us today and we headed off to O’Connell Street and found the office to buy tickets on the DoDublin Hop on, hop off bus. We then headed out and got on the bus outside. This bus was a live tour where the driver is the guide. As we headed around the guide told stories about Dublin and the sights and was very funny. It made the tour a bit of fun. We had decided to go all the way around first as it is good to get a feel for the city as well as enjoying the whole tour. I was a little worried about Mum as she was not feeling 100 percent. But after a Panadol she felt much better so we did not have to get off. It was a really good bus tour allowing us to see and hear about so much of the city. Highly recommended.

Once we had done the whole loop we got off and found a bar for a drink before getting something for lunch. Then we made our way back to a bus stop that was closer to our next destination. Once on the bus we did pass the some of the same attractions we already had but as it was a new driver some of the jokes and stories were different.

We were not on the bus for long though as we arrived at the Guinness Storehouse after a few stops. We headed in and started the tour. It is a self guided tour that follows through the making of Guinness and its story. There is also information on the transport and marketing of Guinness which is interesting. Of course along the way you also do a tasting which was interesting. It focuses on the smells from the ingredients heightening the senses and then taste in a way to get the most out of the drink. I do not believe I have ever drunk Guinness and so I was very interested. Thinking I would not like it I was surprised to find I quite liked it. If you wish you can also do a class in how to pour the perfect pint. We did not do that as we were getting a bit tired and as Mum was still a bit ill we thought we would pass. So we headed up to the Galaxy Bar at the top where we got a pint each. I did get a classic Guinness but Mum got a lager as she is not really a fan. We enjoyed the views of the city from the bar with 360 degree views of the city.

We were lucky enough to have a bus arrive right as we left and continued around to the first stop near our accommodation thinking about what we would do tomorrow.