We had a little time to wander around Galway in the morning so we headed back into City Centre. While the girls were looking for a ring, I went down to the bay and wandered around on a very very polluted beach, walked through the Spanish and Blind Arches and watched some swans in the water. We also walked down to Eyre Square in the city centre with its large statues and banners.
From there we drove on an actual freeway (hooray for two lane highways and smooth roads!) to Clonmacnoise, a monastary built in the 9th century by St. Cieran. It's mostly known for its large Celtic crosses adnd very detailed and intricate stone carvings. The monastary was built on the River Shannon and you can still see the ruins of the various churches and homes as well as wander through the gravestones, crosses and headstones still being visited.
From there we headed into Dublin. The following pictures are from our first afternoon in Dublin, as well as my afternoon walking around alone on St. Patrick's Day. Dublin was like all older European cities- lots of cathedrals, churches and old Georgian, Victorian and Palladian buildlings scattered between newer apartment builds, as well as the plethora of pubs, restaurants, bars, etc.We walked past the Royal Post Office on O'Connell street and then crossed the River Liffey at the bridge of the same name.
We passed by Christ Church, Duvblinia, a Polish church and St. Audeons church before heading over to the Guinness Storeroom.
As though of you who know me are well aware, I'm not a huge drinker but it was an intresting experience nonetheless. Beer is made from hops, yeast, water and barley and the storeroom showed how Guinness is made, as well old advertisements, ways to transport Guinness, the history of the brewery of the brewmasters and some other interseting exhibits.
At the end of the tour, you were taken to the top of the storehouse and given a free pint to enjoy with 360 degree view of Dublin. It was cool at night but would have been better in the daytime.
From there we went to dinner at Milanos, the Irish version of Pizza Express and then over to Oliver St. John Gogarty's for some Irish music that we were able to sing along to.
The next afternoon, it was travel Michal style- walking as much as I can, seeing as much as I can, spending as little as I can. We started out at Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells, as well as the coolest library ever- when I have my big country manor, there will be a library of that size and grandeur, no questions asked. From there, the girls went to Temple Bar and I started my walk.
I went first down to St. Stephen's Green, which was a park absolutely packed with people in their green and orange garb. I sat down there for a little bit and walked past the Fusiliers Arch which was dedicated to those who died in the Boer War and then headed off to St. Patrick's Cathedral.
On my way I passed the Carmelites Church home to the Whitefriars and the relics of St. Valentines. Because St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland, everything was closed but I at least got to see the outside.
St. Patrick's was beautiful and open but, n my opinion, not worth the 6 euros it would have cost to go in, so I walked through the grounds and then around the corner to the Marsh Library, which was the first public library in Dublin and still hoem to some beautiful furniture and books.
I loved the grafitti that was on the walls and got a few good shots of them.
You can't go to Dublin and not stop by Molly Malone crying "cockles and mussels, alive-alive-o."
I popped into the castle as well, which was only part castle, and part large manor house but still interesting. There were tours going on but not in my price range so I rested in the courtyard for awhile and looked at the beautiful architecture.
From there I passed the Temple Bar and went down to the water and walked alongside the river. Between two of the briges was a fun fair that I walked through as quckly as possible because it was packed and really loud. Once I passe that though, there were some really cool scuplture and of couse some amazing different and architecturally unique bridges I was able to cross.
About five bridges down from the O'Connell bridge, I turned around and walked back to Temple Bar. I met up with Ashley and Roni, we went to Thunder Road for dinner, which is Ireland's response to the Hard Rock Cafe and then headed out to enjoy St. Patrick's Day! See next blog for details :)
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