Good-bye Dublin Hello Killarney

Yesterday Andrew and I had our last day in Dublin and spent it touring around the Guinness brewery. 

We really enjoyed Dublin but today we were off to Killarney because we found a really good hostel rate (with Paddy's Palace again!). We made our way with all our gear and groceries to the Dublin train station and caught our first European rail. It took us about 4 hours to get to Killarney. When we got here the air was fresh and we immediately loved it. 

When we got to Paddy's Palace we went to our room and we found out that we have a huge room to share. It is more than 2 times as big as our hostel in Dublin, plus the bottom bunk is a queen (yes in Dublin we were in bunk beds... I got the top bunk), we have our own ensuite (instead of sharing a bathroom with an entire floor of people), a window that opens and most importantly a heat register so that we can control the heat!!! It feels luxurious. Below is a picture of our 5 star hostel.

After we unpacked a bit and after I did some laundry we went for a walk. We decided that we were going to eat supper in the Killarney National Park. Here are a few shots of the park.

It was really neat because when we got into the park there were cows roaming around, then later we saw a lot of deer (pic 3 has some deer). It is really gorgeous. In Ireland fashion, after the really great sunshine for the first 2 pictures, it started to rain. Luckily we were eating our supper below a big tree so we didn't get wet at all. The rain in Ireland only seems to last for a little while and then it stops... but usually starts again later in the day.

It is one week til the B Team (Mom and Jack) get to Ireland and we are so excited to see them... hopefully the volcano doesn't stop them.

"Braveheart" Meets "In The Name of The Father"

Yesterday we went to Glendalough on a bus tour which is known for its scenery. It was the place where they filmed Braveheart. Here are some pictures that were taken at the stop.

One of the other stops on the tour was the small town of Kilkenny. We were dropped off at the city center and given a few hours to look around. Andrew and I went touring around the Kilkenny Castle for almost the whole time but unfortunately when we finished the tour Andrew and I both agreed it didn't have anything on Craigdarroch Castle, but it was still a really neat castle. 

Today Andrew and I wandered around Dublin again. It was raining and was suppose to rain all day so we planned to go to the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the Kilmainham Gaol (Dublin's unoccupied jail) and to the Guinness brewery. Andrew and I were expecting to learn about the soil, geology of Ireland, etc. but when we got there and opened the doors all we saw were dead stuffed animals. I didn't want to look at dead animals so I left and Andrew wandered around for another couple of minutes until he had enough too. Who would have thought, 2 vegetarians going to see dead stuffed animals.

After we walked into the National Gallery where we saw a Monet, Picasso and many other names I didn't know. The most interesting part of the museum was our discussion with a security guard... I don't think I have an eye for the arts. 

Next we went to the Kilmainham Gaol for a guided tour through the jail. This was the most interesting thing we have done so far in Dublin because the guide told us all about Ireland's history, which is very sad but very interesting. We also learned that the jail was used for several movies including the Daniel Day Lewis movie "In The Name Of The Father".

Afterwards we went for a pint at Cafe En Seine which was across from the Mansion House. The guard at the museum told us that this place had been redone and after it was redone the person who remodelled it went bankrupt. When we got inside it was so beautiful and covered with knick knacks... no wonder he went under.

Tonight we went and ate supper down by the River Liffey and bought our first Guinness beer out of a can... wasn't too bad.

We didn't make it to the Brewery but we are doing it tomorrow, which will be our last day in Dublin, then off to Killarney and another Paddy's Palace.

Dublin Day 1

After our layover in Gatwick (London) which ended up being 6 and a half hours we finally made it Ireland! When we got to Dublin it was colder than we expected!

We got on our bus and went to Paddy's Palace, our first hostel. We grabbed a pint of Guinness at the O'Shea pub, listened to some live Irish music (they actually played a favourite Irish song of ours) and headed off to bed. 

We slept in this morning because we didn't sleep that well on the plane, but we still managed to make it down for our free breakfast before 9:30. After a shower, getting ready (which included bundling up, I actually wore 2 pairs of pants today so that I wouldn't be cold) and organizing our stuff we headed out for the day. 

One of our first stops was Trinity College. I think it was a only a bit older than U of C... by about 400 years.

Then we went to St. Stephen's Green. It was really beautiful.

Next we wandered down to St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

Andrew saw these flowers and said "We have to take a picture of you here in front of these flowers for your mom." When he went to take the picture, the camera wasn't on. I think you are cursed mom!!!

Here is the River Liffey... they say things backwards here, it should be Liffey River.

Andrew and I are really enjoying ourselves here. We are off for another pint of Guinness and some more live music down the street.

We Made It!!

Andrew and I are safe and sound in Gatwick waiting for our flight to Dublin. Here is a pic of us leaving the Calgary Airport (nice hair cut Andrew).