Our time in Ireland is winding down. It has been great. So many experiences and memories. Wonderful. Tomorrow is a travel day as we fly back home.
Ireland 2024 Log - Day 17
Weather: Another beautiful day. No jackets needed. No rain. Periods of sunshine.
Our last full day in Ireland.
- Tammy and Mazie go for their runs in Dublin. Jamie does blog posts.
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Walk to Tara Street Station and take Greystones Dart train to Dalkey.
- Get off in Dalkey and walk to Dalkey Castle. Stop in The Gutter Bookshop on the way. Cappuccino at Thyme Out.
- Dalkey Castle tour.
- Explore stores in Dalkey: Hark, Papermint Store.
- Shared lunch at Finnegans of Dalkey.
- Walk to pier.
- Have Ken the Ferryman take us to Dalkey Island.
- Explore Dalkey Island.
- Return back with Ken.
- Afternoon treats at Thyme Out: Salted Caramel Bar, Carrot Cake.
- Afternoon gelato for Jamie.
- Explore downtown Dalkey.
- Return to Hark for Mouni and Gutter Bookshop for “Duffy and Son”.
- Take Howth Dart train from Dalkey back to Tara Street Station.
- Walk back to Hard Rock Dublin to change for evening.
- Went to Bunsen for delicious burgers after trying them on day 15.
- Walked into Temple Bar for one song and then proceeded to O’Donoghues.
- Listened to traditional music set at O’Donoghues.
- Walked back to Temple Bar for one final set of music.
- Walk back to Hard Rock Dublin for the night.
Jump to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or see Ireland 2024 Collection.
Music and Pubs
On our last night in Dublin we decided to walk over to O’Donoghue’s Pub to listen to a traditional Irish music set. My cousin Josh has been here multiple times and loved it. At 8:30 the music started and it was good but there wasn’t any singing. It was a five piece instrumental set.
We were looking for something a bit more sing-along so headed back to the Temple Bar where another couple musicians were just getting setup and let a raucus first set of a wide variety of tunes. Not as traditional as we were hoping for, but still very fun. What a fun way to wrap up our last night in Dublin.
Dalkey Island
On our day in Dalkey we caught a ride from Ken the Ferryman and he took us the brief distance to Dalkey Island. Dalkey Island is uninhabited now, but records indicate people living there more than 1,000 years ago. Dalkey Island at one point had a church on it. Today the ruins of that church, a military cannon station, and a radar structure still stand. Other than that it has goats, but we didn’t see any of them, and a lot of seagulls.
Sounds on Dalkey Island.
Dalkey Castle
After getting to Dalkey we found our way to the Dalkey Castle to take a tour. This tour included actors portraying three different roles in medieval times: Barber/Surgeon, Archer, Cook. The actors did a great job and made it all very informative and funny as well. The barber/surgeon shared the somewhat gruesome tale of how they would bleed someone to keep their humors right, and how that bloodied cloth would be wrapped around a pool and hung out front — a red and white striped pole — a barber poll. The archer explained the defenses of the castle including the “murder hole”. The cook described how the flesh would be prepared for the important people and that she could have the organs and make it into a pie — a humble pie.
It was fun to hear more about this castle and it answered some questions about Tubbrid Castle that we stayed at in Kilkenny. In fact, Tubbrid Castle also had a murder hole that you could pour hot liquids or drop heavy objects on people at the door. It also featured a fortified and locked ground level with double entrances.
Taking the DART to Dalkey this morning.
Ireland 2024 Log - Day 16
Weather: Great weather. Maybe the best day we’ve had.
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Figured out Dublin bus logistics.
- Took C2 bus from Wellington Quay (stop 312) to South Circular Road.
- Guided tour of Kilmainhham Gaol Museum.
- Walked to Guinness Storehouse experience at St. James Gate.
- Lunch at 1837 Bar & Braserie.
- Took cab to Windmill Lane Studios for very cool tour.
- Walked to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
- Walked back toward hotel and explored Grafton Street and got some truffles at Butler’s Chocolates.
- Got to hotel and cleaned up for dinner.
- Special Father’s Day dinner at F. X. Buckley on Crow Street. Delicious steaks.
- Return to Cloud Nine for Tyler to get a crêpe and Tammy and Mazie an ice cream.
- Stop quickly at the hotel to change clothes.
- Walk to Darkey Kelly’s for some traditional music.
- Four piece band playing with a lot of issues with their microphones.
- Return to the hotel. Everyone tired.
Jump to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or see Ireland 2024 Collection.
I’m a very lucky man to be father to these two! Happy Father’s Day!
We took the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College today. It was cool to see this book that is over 1,000 years old. Along the tour you also go through the Long Room at the Old Library. It is an awe inspiring room. Like a temple to knowledge. Sadly the books have been removed for a massive restoration project, but it was still great to see.
