Dublin – October 16th and 17th

Dublin, the capital city, was a very active place! There is no possible way to fit everything Dublin has to offer into a day and half. But I have to say we did a pretty good job. Over this weekend, Hannah and I went on eight different tours! Now that is a load of information and facts in three days!

 Four of these alone were in Dublin. First we sent on a tour with Viking Splash tours.  This was a tour around the main part of the city. It was interesting to learn the different facts about the places (although I remember very little).  I think the most interesting one that I have heard is that there was a glass/window tax that came into play. So they wouldn’t have to pay more money, people took out their windows and closed them up and new buildings were made without windows. Living in all that darkness I think would be tough!

 

 

 

 

The tour bus we were in was pretty awesome, too. It was an old vehicle built for the war to be able to go on land and through the water. So obviously we had to experience both. We were told that there are only about 70 left and we got to tour in one of them.

 

 

 The next tour we went on was of the old Jameson Whiskey distillery. We learned about facts and the procedure to making this famous whiskey. Before we went, we were told by the people at the hostel to make sure to volunteer. We found out later that this meant be a volunteer to do a taste comparison between Scotch, Jameson and Jack Daniels whiskey. Hannah and I volunteered even though we are not the biggest fans of whiskey; it was an experience we had to be a part of! The Jameson was definitely the best! I now have a certificate proving I am a legitimate whiskey taster!

 

 

Tour number three was at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. Before coming to Ireland I had never hear of this famous book. In my Celtic Civ. class, I learned a little about this ancient book and then was able to learn a whole lot more walking through this exhibit. The book contains the four gospels (Matthew Mark Luke and John) written in Latin. The most amazing thing, I think, is that it was written in 800AD… and I got to see it! Pretty cool! We weren’t allowed to take pictures of it though :/ . The Old Library, after the Book of Kells Exhibit we could take pictures of though. This is the largest room in Ireland, and the twisted stairwell was the inspiration for the stairs up to Dumbledore's office in Harry Potter.

 

The fourth tour, maybe to most famous and very encouraged by Bryan and Kylie, was the Guinness Storehouse!!  This was a self guided tour through the seven levels of the old brewery. Way more than I expected, but it was all very interesting and fun to learn. I also learned how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, which I have a certificate for as well.