"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.