We saw the incredible Customs Building
on the river right down from our hotel and a very emotional memorial to the victims of the Potato Famine with starving life sized, hopeless people walking by the river.
We were both so moved. We saw Trinity College and many of the impressive cathedrals and museums. George Bernard Shaw, who wrote Pygmalion, which later became My Fair Lady, gave part of the royalties from his work to support and develop Dublin's Art Gallery.
We were both so moved. We saw Trinity College and many of the impressive cathedrals and museums. George Bernard Shaw, who wrote Pygmalion, which later became My Fair Lady, gave part of the royalties from his work to support and develop Dublin's Art Gallery.
The Georgian section of the city has neat connected gray stone houses with brightly painted doors. Henry thinks the painted door was an easy way to add some brightness to the long gray winter. They do not have yards. They have walled garden squares that are lovely parks which residents access with a key.
Henry told us the Government's theory on control was, "Happy people are obedient people. Give them a party and a sunny day and they'll do what you want."
The Guiness family, who owns the world's largest exporting brewery, has given a lot to the city with parks, business, and Social Houses. The slums were horrible in the city with people even keeping livestock upstairs. They built clean Social Houses for people who had nothing and no where to go. We went through the Temple Bar Pub area and then into Woodkey, which is an old Viking settlement.
Some of the old stone walls were visible, but the buildings were torn down with ugly modern square structures in their place. It is a pity it wasn't preserved.
Some of the old stone walls were visible, but the buildings were torn down with ugly modern square structures in their place. It is a pity it wasn't preserved.
We were dropped off at the huge Post Office in the town center. We found our way to a side room where Bob assembled the box (with tape and marker borrowed from thoughtful John & Mary) while I filled out the customs paper. It was a bit confusing and the young man at the counter was very helpful. When all was ready and we took it up to mail, we were a Euro short. We asked if we could quick run to an ATM and the young man said with his musical accent, "Naw. I'll take care of it and jest over charge the next one. Have a good day." So sweet. And in a government office!
We walked on with the day to ourselves in Dublin. We wandered into a department store called Clearys for a comfort stop. They announced that there would be a demonstration on the next floor up with free vegetable peelers if you watched it. We went. It was fun just to hear the man talk and we had some fun laughs.
We, of course, decided everything he said was a great idea and we bought. In chatting with him, I mentioned having four sons. As we were paying, he came running up and gave us four vegetables peelers to take home to the boys. We had the best time with him and took his picture. He commented on seeing himself in pictures and mirrors and wondering who the old guy was. We sure understood.
We, of course, decided everything he said was a great idea and we bought. In chatting with him, I mentioned having four sons. As we were paying, he came running up and gave us four vegetables peelers to take home to the boys. We had the best time with him and took his picture. He commented on seeing himself in pictures and mirrors and wondering who the old guy was. We sure understood.
We picked up a coffee and just wandered seeing the sights. We got a picture of the statue of Molly Malone, the fair maid selling cockles and mussels. We watched several street performers.
It was just great fun and we were feeling quite the world travelers. It is also fun belonging to a tour and occasionally running into friends and sharing information and laughs. We stopped in a Pub for delicious sandwiches and went back to the hotel to rest and freshen up for the evening.
It was just great fun and we were feeling quite the world travelers. It is also fun belonging to a tour and occasionally running into friends and sharing information and laughs. We stopped in a Pub for delicious sandwiches and went back to the hotel to rest and freshen up for the evening.
Our evening tour was of Guiness. We were taken on tour with very well done displays and a lively guide explaining the process of making Guiness, distribution, and advertising. It was very informative. I commented to the guide, that as a former teacher, I was impressed with his delivery. Come to find out, he was from Holland, Michigan and married a Dublin girl. It was fun connecting with him. Small world.
After the tour, we went to the top of the building which is a glass dome and they served us a Guiness as we gazed out over Dublin with breath taking views all around.
We were then served a lovely dinner and the waiter noticing I was just going for the veggies ran and got me a fabulous Mushroom Risotto. We then chatted about being vegetarian, which he tried this year for Lent. Nice to connect again. Everyone of all ages was so friendly and helpful. We're charmed by this city.
We were then served a lovely dinner and the waiter noticing I was just going for the veggies ran and got me a fabulous Mushroom Risotto. We then chatted about being vegetarian, which he tried this year for Lent. Nice to connect again. Everyone of all ages was so friendly and helpful. We're charmed by this city.
