Bewleys Hotel Leopardstown Dublin

... they are used today. My favorite room was a ball room that has amazing paintings on the ceiling. I also loved learning about the coats of armor that all of the Presidents of Ireland design. They are placed in the grand hallway once a President is out of office. At the end of the tour we were taken down into the basement to see the base of a tower that was erected in 1200 and was excavated about 10 years ago. It was a wonder to see, especially since a part of the mote was ...

... on the Monday, so Max and I legged it to the DART station after work and got into town in good time. We hiked it toward Croke Park, with a little map in hand to try and ensure we were at least heading in the right direction. Roisin had picked Sam up from the airport earlier in the day and Seamus and Emer met them in town a bit later on. They were having pre-drinkies in a pub on Drumcondra Road. We started making our way to them, but decided ...

... Street, stopping for the obligatory “Molly Malone” photo, we were there. Before entering the college through the heavy wooden doors of the Regent House, I thought about ducking back in at the Thomas Cook agency across the street and showing off my alarm clock, but then I realized that might be considered a bit “much.” We passed through into Trinity’s inner courtyard. We looked around, trying to get our bearings. I would have liked to take a guided ...

... and catching up on communication by WIFI. But we were wrong.

We had no idea where to go in the city, and there was no lovely tourist information at the ferry terminal. Being Sunday, the tourist information office was closed, and we had no idea what to do. Going blindly, we found our way downtown which was very busy and not bike-friendly at all. Walking along the sidewalk we found a little shop and paid and ...

... am and both of us crashed. Lesson learned from this day....book tickets in advance whenever you can and places in Europe aren't as close as you would think.

Dublin has been quite fun on the first day we went to Trinity college which is probably one of the more beautiful campuses I have ever seen. However, the highlight was going on the tour of the book of Kells which is a hand decorated book from the 900's (i think this was the date) It was really ...

... by having a mid-day drink and snack while we watched the rain come down. We stopped at Trinity College, and acted like we went there... and were a little happy we didn't have to go home and do any homework! :) We have an awesome dinner planned for tonight... since there aren't many people in our hostel... and there is a great kitchen to take advantage of! Chicken stir fry here we come!!! Love you all... and see some of your soon!

... water cost about $2.50, compared to England, which is about $0.80! Dinner = fried everything again. Day 12 - 4th July 2008 The day started at our beloved Tesco. Garlic & Onion Philly with sun-dried tomatoes on crackers, banana and yogurt was purchased - yes being a backpacker you are very deprived. Walked around and found a fruit and veg market. Bought some more nectarines, only 2 Euro for a dozen! The ...

... the Book of Kells. It wasn´t quite open yet so we joined the queue and once we were inside it was easy to stare a while at the beautiful illuminations and the centuries old bindings on display. In all there were about six pages on display, not much but worth it all the same. The exit took us through the gorgeous library; I noticed that for as many times as churches ask for your silence while you are inside the library commanded it and you unconsciously ...

If London is the NY Yankees, Ireland is the Boston Redsox. London is full of pinstripes and ties while Ireland is the home of blue-collar, laid back, down-to-earth people. Dublin itself is no different than any other big cities I've been to, however, the people have made this place an exceptional place. Good part of the day was spent on touring the city including the Guinness Museum. When I got there, the ...

Spent the last 4 days in Dublin, Ireland....and heres the funny part...Ive spent it with Italians not the Irish. Go figure! Ive been staying with Enzo and Virgina here in Dublin and its been like being at home away from home...they have been great! After a month and a half of hostels... just having my own room and being in a home environment is fantastic! Ive ...