We've arrived. We had purchased "hop off and on" bus passes which we will use to see the city of Dublin. But it also provided transportation to our motel which is right off of O`Connoll street. We walked around a bit and found a delightful pub to have dinner. Talked to a local who teaches Gaelic at a nearby college. Then a group of 6 were seated by us. When the waitress asked where they came from they answered from Portland. We inquired further and they are actually from Banks. The one woman graduated from Forest Grove 5 years after Dennis. Small world! The flight was uneventful, which is good. We were a bit concerned about a one hour transfer in Reykjavik. We were to land and then fly out one hour later. We didn't know how close the gates would be and how soon loading would happen. We were pleasantly surprised. As we unloaded at Reykjavik we started looking for the monitors and gate information. Our next flight was at the same gate we just exited AND on the same plane. Our luggage didn't have to move around all. A good easy first day. Having problems loading pictures for today. Can check Facebook. 😃
Friday, August 30, 2019
Day 3. Friday
Day 3 in Dublin. We were totally exhausted form our travels being up about 27 hours with unsatisfying naps inflight. We hit the sack about 8 PM and slept past 7 AM. That alone is a first , sleeping 11 hours. Breakfast at our hotel is great and large. Headed out for our Hop on-Hop off to Kilmainham Goal. It was stop #24, we started at stop #3, no problem we have 80 minutes to our scheduled entry. Ooops, late. They let us join our scheduled group missing only the prison chapel. Next up was St. Audoen's Church and with a few twists of words it is the OLDEST medieval church in active use. Amazing how many "oldest still in use" there are in Dublin.
Lunch in a delightful pub which was, wait for it, the oldest pub in Dublin. We split fish and chips, one piece of fish which was huge. Then off to the Dublin Castle where British Crown would stay when visiting Ireland. We didn't stay. Headed to the Dublinia Museum and Christ Church Cathedral. Dublinia walks you through the Viking occupation, Anglo-Norman occupation, medieval Dublin then 96 steps up the Dublinia tower for a nice view of the city. Denise made it easy. I had to stop at step 95 for help. Believe that and I will sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. Christ Church was pretty amazing, the "oldest church with continuous service ". I guess it wasn't "medieval ". Classy touch, they had an organist playing the whole time. Not quite a Jonas Nordwall (very good) but still nice. That seemed like enough when we included some shopping mostly coming back empty handed. Here may be the best of all, EVERYWHERE REILLY IS SPELLED THE CORRECT WAY. I have not once had to say "Reilly, that's Reilly selled R-E-I-L-L-Y. They just take quick look and say "nice name". Not a bad third day (I wanted to call it the second day but so Denise and I are using a common numbering I capitulate to DAY 3. Having problems adding pictures. Check our facebook pages
