Introduction to Ireland

Dublin Church
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This morning it was a lazy start to the day with a late breakfast at 8am, and our city tour starting at 9am. This took us on a drive around the streets of Dublin, but photo taking in the bus was impossible due to the rain. We stopped at Dublin castle and were taken on a tour through the old palace, and was provided with commentary on each of the rooms we visited. We were then driven through a part of Phoenix park, the peoples park, where there is a cordorned off area where the residence of the current Irish Presitdent is housed. After a brief photo stop we were then driven into the city centre. Here we had three and a half hours of private time to seek out our own interests in the city. We were given strict instructions to be back at the drop-off location by 4pm if we wanted to catch the tour bus back to the hotel, or find our own way.

Dublin Castle - Main Court
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We set off with our city map in search of sights to see. Our first stop was the statue of Molly Malone - famous from the "cockles and muscles" song. It was then past Trinity College, then down to the old residence and commemorative statue of Oscar Wilde. After a brief stop for a hot coffee, we walked down through the Temple bar area of the city, past many Irish pubs and inns. After walking over a pedestrian bridge spanning the city Canal, we found a small cafe and had some lunch. Further wanderings took us past georgian residences with their colourful doors and black painted fences. We wandered back and assembled with the other tour people at 4pm for the bus to take us back to the hotel.

Kickin our heels up...

Castle Foyer
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We decided to join the optional tour for this evening, a dinner and irish caberet show. Dinner included a choice of main and Joe and I both decided on the Roast Beef. Dessert was apple crumble and cream, followed by irish coffee. Before dessert was served the show started with some irish dancing by 6 young ladies and a young gent. This traditional dancing was a real treat with their tapping and kicking in the air. We could not believe how high they were kicking and jumping in the air, and it was not until we got back and had a look at these pictures that we realised how high they got. Their dancing was followed by sets of musicians playing irish bagpipes, singers singing irish songs, and an irish comedian entertaining the crowd. After a short intermision, two more full sets were performed by all, rounding off with a finale. It was a tremendous evening and thoroughly enjoyed by all.