Ireland Day 5- Dublin

It’s friday, friday, friday and we’re off to do what we do best...putt around the city.  The name Dublin comes from the Irish name Dubhlinn or Duibhlinn, meaning "black pool".  Dublin was established as a Viking settlement in the 9th century, remaining under viking control until the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169.  Being that there was so much history to learn here, what better place to start than the Dublin Castle.  But before we can even cross the street, we’re approached by two local students working on a student project.  They offer to take us on a brief tour (10-15 minutes) and give some local history to some not as noticeable attractions… We were in! Without even having to take a step, the guide pointed to our right.  We turned and no more than 50 feet from where we were standing was our first sight, a part of the old wall that originally circled the city.  It was just a portion of the wall with no signs or anything pointing out its significance.  I probably wouldn't have even noticed it if they hadn't pointed it out. We then headed down with a slight sprinkle from the clouds to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  So beautiful!! It was founded in 1191 and is the largest church in Ireland, hosting a 140' spire.  

We then tooled around the Dublin Castle, including The Record Tower (the sole surviving tower of the medieval castle dating from c. 1228), the cathedral, the Dublin Gardens (aka the helicopter landing pad) and coach house entrance (where the horses used to be kept)… Pepe felt right at home there

The Record Tower

The Dublin Gardens

CathedralCoach house 

Next was the Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin’s oldest cathedral (founded c.1030) and home to Strongbow’s tomb.  I knew we were in a safe place upon entering the grounds due to the numerous signs posted about picpocketers in the area (I wonder if they have had a problem before?).  

                            

 One of the most fascinating parts of the cathedral was the crypt.  It is not only one of the largest in Britain and Ireland, but also the oldest structure in Dublin.  It stretched underneath the entire length of the cathedral.  Pepe’s favorite part was the “Cat and the Rat”.  It is believed that these two got stuck in the organ pipe whilst chasing each other in the 1860s and became mummified.  James Joyce spoke of these two in Finnegan's Wake when he described someone as being "...As stuck as that cat to that mouse in that tube of that Christchurch organ".  Pepe couldn't wait to get a picture with them.  Luckily, he did not get stuck and end up with the same fate. 

After that history lesson, Ray and I decided we were in need of a pint.  We could hear The   Temple Bar calling our names.  Such a cool, not so little place.  It seemed to go on and on for ever, with different rooms and various taps throughout the joint.  

We also had a special request

 to stop in at this place... 

The Bad Ass bar, bet you 

can guess who wanted in there 

 View of the city from the River Liffey...

For lunch, Ray and I had some delicious fish and chips (recommendation from our tour guide). We sat on some steps across the way from the Christ Church Cathedral and enjoyed our meal watching the life of city carry on around us.  We continued our adventure heading to Dublinia, a viking and medieval Dublin experience. Oh and BTW, we were passed on the street by a viking-ship tour hybrid boat-car, you know the ones that drive around on the streets and then drive straight into the water and sail around.  Everyone aboard had on horned viking hats… Classic!!!   Totally a tourist trap, and well worthy of a laugh.  Once inside Dublinia, we learned all about how Dublin was influenced by the vikings and how it became the city known today.  Pepe posed for a picture with Olaf the White from Norway, Dublin’s first foreign king.    

Another dose of history and another pint for Ray and I... We bee lined straight to the Guinness Storehouse for a much desired and well needed beer.  The storehouse was absolutely ginormous!! We walked for blocks upon blocks before reaching the entrance.  Once standing inside the building, we found ourselves standing right on top of a copy of the 9,000 year lease signed by Arthur Guinness. Looking up we then realized that we were standing within a huge pint glass (the worlds largest to be exact), standing at 7 stories tall and holding 14.3 million pints of Guinness.  That's a whole lot of beer!!

If anyone is ever in need of a pint of Guinness, just ask us... We are now officially certificated in being able to pour the perfect pint!!  Oh and FYI, for those of you who know me well, you would assume I didn't actually drink this dark beer since A) I do not like "dark" beer and B) I've always been a little scared to try a Guinness...

All I can say is #converted! Although this was my first Guinness (and Pepe too!), it is definitely not our last!! After pouring the perfect pint, all 3 of us went up to the Gravity Bar to enjoy it.  Super cool spot up there... Over looking the entire city.  Through the pouring rain, we could see many famous spots all over town, including Croke Park, where we head tomorrow for the Penn State vs University of Central Florida "American" football match.  We learned very early on that we needed to use "American" in front of football, otherwise people generally thought we were talking about a different sport altogether. 

As night time fell, we went to grab dinner at F.X. Buckley (a recommendation from one of the workers at the Guinness Storehouse) to pass the time until the rest of the crew arrived (some of Ray's colleagues from the London office).  We ended up sitting upstairs at the Butchers Bar and enjoyed some amazing food.  Not at all traditional Irish food, it more reminded me of some of the local spots in Hermosa Beach like Abigail or Mediterraneo.  Still waiting for boys, we stumble into a pub right across the street from our apartment, little did we know that we had walked into a raging karaoke bar.  The atmosphere was amazing! People were singing and dancing and just having an all around great time.  I think Ray has some video from there...

Being that we hadn't heard from the Londoners and it was much later than expecting, we pull ourselves from Tom Kennedy's karaoke madness and head back to the apartment... As we turn down the street, there they are, apparently attempting to throw bottle caps at the windows to get our attention (if we had been inside).  They drop off their stuff and we hit the town.  

Pepe was especially excited because he got to meet one of his blog followers in person.  I think Ed was just as excited to meet Pepe too.  He even devised a plan of attack to get Pepe on the field during the game tomorrow...