Day 1: Dublin
-Very early flight, that resulted in me staring at the hotel lobby wall for 2 hours trying to get the courage to explore.
– Found courage to explore. Explored a lot, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral. And observing the dogs in the park, including one who got lost in a cafe and was scared. Marsh’s library (where Bram Stoker studied) and found a verse they read during 15th century exorcisms. Dublin Castle, followed by a quick nap before a night at Devitts pub, where I was quick to chase Jameson with Guinness bc why not.
Day 2: Dublin
– Woke up to wind and rain. So treated myself to a taxi to Guinness Storehouse. It’s basically Willy Wonka’s factory. Learned the craft of pouring the perfect Guinness. Learned that Guinness yeast is basically the equivalent to the krabby patty secret formula.
-Found a cute little cemetery. I think it was St. Catherine’s.
-Brief visit to Doheny and Nesbitt.
-Found the courage to go to Temple Bar alone. But made so many new friends and the live music was amazing! Had family and friends pop in and watch me on the live cam, felt like guardian angels.
Day 3: Dublin
Beautiful day. Megan and Wally got married at the Trinity College Chapel. Whole day was wedding festivities. My pic with the bride was taken on someone’s phone and I have no clue where it lives now. Lived my best life listening to “Funky Town” and enjoying white wine and a fish stick on the dance floor. So much fun catching up with the people I met Summer 2017 when I lived in Cincy!
Also if you zoom in on the stained glass you can see some creepy babies that distracted me throughout the ceremony.
Day 4: Dublin
So much walking today.
-Mass at St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral
-Learned about the Book of Kells. (Emphasis on learned, all I knew was that it was a very old book). Look how cute the wolf is. The book was displayed in Joe Goldberg’s box.
– walked around Trinity College. Found a cool bird.
– Grafton street for street performers and a peek in the Disney store
– St. Stephen’s Green
– Walked the same path I did when I first got in, but this time took selfies with everything (Hapenny bridge, the Spire).
– Did a “dark” Dublin tour. So saw a lot of places that were known for murders and torture. Turns out, the bit of castle I can see from my balcony was once the prisoner tower. Built in 1204, it’s the only original structure standing.
Day 5: West Ireland and the countryside
I don’t know where to begin.
– Started with a journey to Cliffs of Moher. Beautiful, breathtaking. I walked as much of the trail as I could. My great great great great great Grandma Hanna grew up not too far from there. It was the closest I’ve ever felt to great x5 Grandpa Patrick and Grandma Hanna. I can’t explain it. Cliffs of Moher was also part of the CGI for “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.”
– So many cows and sheep!
– Quick stop to The Burren.
– Galway City, where I got my Claddaugh ring!
-——> in Galway I took myself on the best date. After getting the ring I ate fish and chips by the water and took myself out for the most interesting ice cream flavors. Got bullied by seagulls.
———> saw the site where Mayor Lynch chose to hang his son as punishment for murder. Hence the origin of Lynch. (yes it’s dark, but look how much we’re learning).
———> Ed Sheeren filmed his music video here, now Galway Girl makes sense.
– Drove through great great great great great Grandpa Patrick’s hometown. So many sheep.
Thought I was going to have a chill evening at a pub. Met some other Americans, including the tech crew for Swedish House Mafia. *Morgan Freeman’s voice* “It was not a chill evening.”
Day 6: Dublin
-Irish breakfast and coffee
-Christ Church Cathedral tour. Went primarily for the mummified cat and rat (originally a mouse was displayed but a drunk person knocked it over and it’s gone forever). Cat chased mouse into the organ. Moral of the story per James Joyce, don’t be as stuck as the cat to the mouse.” Mind blowing.
– Got a call that my turtle was missing.
-Art Museum. Specifically went for Picasso, Van Gough, and the Christian paintings.
-tour of Kilmainham Gaol. Read a letter a man wrote to his mom the day of his execution. He told her not to worry and he was proud that he died for Ireland. He also asked his family to have a mass in his honor, pray for the souls in purgatory, and told them not to worry bc he was in a better place.
-Play at Abbey Theatre. Saw Joyce’s Women. Wasn’t super into it the first half bc as Dad would say “there’s no sparkly vampires.”
– Confirmation they found my turtle.
-Temple bar again bc I’m basic and love it. Learned the correct way to pronounce my last name.
Day 7: Dublin & Howth
Dublin Zoo! Highlights included the best chicken sandwich I ever tasted and elephants playing in the rain. The Sea lions were very active and vocalizing.
Following Dublin Zoo, a quick trip to Howth. Wasn’t sure if I was going to do the cliff walk or a castle, instead followed my heart to a rainbow. Finished the night with a Temple Bar pub crawl. Ireland has been a literal dream.
