Ireland Trip - Day 3 (July 15): Dublin

This was our big "Dublin exploration" day. We were up early, and made our way to breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. The buffet was decent, with a selection of cereals, pastries, fruit, etc.; a hot breakfast was also available. After eating we gathered our coats and umbrellas, and off we went. First stop of the day was Trinity College and the Book of Kells. We got a little turned around getting off the DART, so arrived at Trinity College about 30 minutes after the building housing the Book of Kells opened. We joined the queue; only waited about 15 minutes before getting in. Spent some time looking at the exhibit (and, of course, the Book of Kells); drooled over the Long Hall in the library, and then down into the shop. I purchased a couple souvenirs (including a Trinity College cap, which I thought appropriate given I attended Trinity University in San Antonio), and back outside.

Trinity College



Next stop was the National Museum of Archaeology, after walking past Leinster House. Won’t go into details here, but we very much enjoyed the museum – some of the displays are amazing.

By the time we got out of the museum we were both pretty hungry. Our one “must go to” restaurant in Dublin was The Farm, an organic restaurant on Dawson. It was, in one word, fantastic. I had a wonderful risotto; mom a chicken pie with puff pastry. We shared bread-and-butter pudding for dessert. It was absolutely delicious, and the service was lovely.

The Farm

We rolled out of The Farm, and went into Hodges Figgis (we never can resist a bookstore). We picked up a couple small books on flowers and birds in Ireland, and mom made a list of books to buy once we got home. We then walked along Grafton Street, looking at the shops. Neither of us is much into shopping, but it was fun to people watch.

Next was St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by Christ Church. Both are stunning, with so much history and so many things to take in. I think we both liked St. Patrick’s a bit more, but enjoyed both a great deal.

St. Patrick's

Christ Church

We then walked back up to the river and made our way towards the DART station. We wandered through Temple Bar on our way, just so we could say we’d been there. Took the DART back to Sutton and the Marine Hotel. Had dinner in the hotel’s bar – toasted cheese and tomato paninis, and my first pint of Smithwicks (sorry, sorry – just am not a Guinness fan). To bed early again (which became our routine for the trip); read for a bit, and another good night’s sleep.