The coach came to a stop for the last time in Dublin at the Burlington hotel as we returned from the Abbey Tavern in the northern Dublin suburb of Howth. (Side note: with the unprecedented snow storm, the Abbey staff did not expect us to show. The Irish dancers parents would not drive in the snow and the 'trad' singers had gotten a wee bit into their cups. So, while they were in fine voice they were definitely a little off). Our group filed off the bus for one last time with most leaving in the morning. We all said goodbye to 'D' and our travel partners, our group settled in for our three days in the Irish capital city.
Dublin Day 1
Bright and early in the morning we cabbed it straight to the Guinness Storehouse. Housed in former fermentation building, the Storehouse is a 7 story multi- media valentine to all things Guinness. The gentlemen in our group were visibly moved by the story of water from the Wicklow mountains combined with Irish barley and hops. The other ladies and myself perked up once we reached the Gravity Bar located on level 7. It seemed a little strange to be imbibing well before noon. I don't know what was more heady, the beer or to have the entire bar to ourselves with the city laid out at our feet. The rest of the day passed quickly with a coach tour of the city, a visit to St. Patrick's cathedral, lunch at Gogarty's in the Temple Bar district and pastries at the divine Bewley's Oriental Cafe.
Dublin day 2
Tuesday a slight thaw and rain rather than snow. Big problem as we slogged to the General Post Office (the location of the 1916 Easter uprising that eventually lead to the Republic of Ireland's 1922 independence) to meet Pat Liddy of Dublin Walks. I was excited to see Pat again, we were one of his first tour groups when he opened his company in 2005. A Dubliner all his life, Pat is a renaissance man. In addition to his tour company his is an author of 11 books. He is passionate about all history, culture and all things Irish. From the GPO we wove through Dublin's back streets and alley ways learning not only Dublin history but Pat Liddy's 71 years of personal Dublin history. Pat is a civilized man, so stop three was at 'The Church' a former catholic church which was now a very tony bar and restaurant. After warming ourselves with Irish coffee, Jamesons and hot chocolate for me, we continued into Dublin's mediaevel quarter and Viking Dublin as well. Touring with Pat is to notice details you missed a hundred times walking the city streets. Pat showed us how the streets actually followed the 1100's city walls and how the original city streets were over 6' below the current city scape. We ended the tour at the Bull and Castle restaurant where I had the pleasure of visiting with this fascinating man for the lunch hour. If you ever get to Dublin, give Pat a call- you will thank me later.
On our last night out for entertainment, we enjoyed a fun-filled evening of Irish hospitality, food and traditional entertainment featuring Irish music and Irish dancers in the Arlington Hotel. The hotel is an expansive building and although the crowd was small the dancers were amazing and the three-piece band did an effective job of joining the crowd in sing-a-longs and acknowledging audience requests. The food was good as well and the lovely wait staff did commendable work in delivery of food and beverage. One of our party did participate in the dancing on stage with the dancers. She seemed to think the volunterring was well worth the experience and did gather a "groupie" from London. However, the largest surprise of the evening occurred when we found evidence of what we who reside in Lexington, MI already knew - that Leo's influence is felt the world over. Pam found on the toilet bath wall "Love you Leo" written. This is further evidence that Leo is a force of nature and that his charm is infectious to the masses. The next morning he did state that he went back to the Hotel (JUST KIDDING)but could not find the woman who loved him after much searching. -David
Dublin day 3- and evening
"I am afraid I cannot take you on your 10 o'clock tour of the manor" said the dapper museum docent of 29 Fitzwilliam Street. Tommy the Burlington concierage had made our reservation for 10 a.m. and while our group of 10 was on time, the other museum employees fighting their way in from the subway were not. He invited us into the museum gift shop and tea room to get out of the weather. We had just decided to continue on our way when the snow covered employees burst through the door and we were able to visit the townhouse. Dublin's Georgian mansions are all 29 feet wide and four stories tall. Housekeepers quarters and kitchen on the ground floor, dining room and front entrance hall on the second, the ladies budoir, family drawing room and formal drawing room on the third, with the nursery and governess quarters on the fourth. Number 29 is one of the city's best kept secret. Our cab driver had only taken one other group in 5 years of driving. David and learned of this gem through the great Mr. Steves and we visited the mansion in 2005 the other 8 of the 2010 visit though it extraordinary as well.
Lunch at O'Neill's pub and then a quick shopping jaunt through the Avoca Woolen Mill, Marks and Spencer as well as tea and coffee from Beweley's completed our day. By then the streets were slippery and cabs scarce. We walked through the streets of Dublin back to our hotel we passed its monuments, museums and parks all dusted with snow and ice. Its all very beautiful, but the airport has been closed and opened and closed several times today and as of this posting is closed. We planned on seeing you all soon, it may be later...
No comments:
Post a Comment