A Day in Dublin

"Night fell clean and cold in Dublin,and wind moaned beyond my room
as if a million pipes played the air."Patricia Cornwell

I love quotes; perhaps for the fact that they have the power to inspire and impassion a dreamer's soul. I find that as I am researching a city or a country, I first google any famous quotes about the location in question. I love to see what other's impressions are of the place I am exploring.

On Saturday morning, Chris and I set out to find the train station in Dunboyne. I had explored the city while Chris was at work, so I assured him I knew EXACTLY where the train station was. Some things never change, the half-mile walk to the train station ended up being about a three-mile run to catch the train. Of course our credit card didn't work in the machine, so we had to rustle up the appropriate amount of Euros before the train pulled into the station. Luckily we were not dealing with a language barrier in Ireland. We made the train - but not without a little heart-pumping-anxiety. Poor Chris . . . there is never a dull moment in his world now.

It was a clear and sunny day in Dublin, so we decided against the popular hop-on-hop-off bus tour and chose rather to put our walking shoes to the test. After 10 hours on foot, our poor little feeties felt like mush, but we saved about $30 by avoiding the touristy, red buses! In my book, that is success!

Walking also allowed us to duck into quaint little alley ways like the one pictured above. Dublin is full of these adorable, cobble-stoned, walking-only streets.

This is Trinity College - founded in 1592 on a charter from Queen Elizabeth. It is the oldest university in Ireland, and also the home of the Book of Kells.

Chris and I took a tour through the Guinness Storehouse, and learned loads and loads about the history and significance of Guinness. In this picture, we are on the 7th story of the Storehouse enjoying a 360-degree view of Dublin. It was a great place for a mid-afternoon-foot-rest!

Inside Dublin Castle in the heart of the city.

"For over 800 years Dublin Castle has been at the heart of Irish history. From the founding of the first Celtic settlement in the 1st century A.D. to every Presidential inauguration since the foundation of the State, the site has stood witness to some of the most pivotal events in the country's history." www.dublincastle.ie

A Dublin Castle jumping picture was necessary!

Totally necessary to jump when at a castle?!

We strolled through St. Stephens Green (Founded in 1663) and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. We were told that such a perfect day was not typical for the end of summer in Dublin. Maybe we are just lucky - or blessed.

Street painters selling their work outside of St. Stephen's Green. I love local artists!

Flowers - a few of my favorite things!