Dublin Sunday

We awoke on Sunday to more sunshine. I am beginning to doubt that this city is located in the same strata as Seattle.

We made our way to a café called San Lorenzo, which offered us the Brunch of Champions (cue music now). I over indulged with the Coco Puffs French toast with peanut butter and bananas. Grady and Colby both had French toast that rivals all others and Steve's morning drink of choice started the day off right.

Up next was a stroll across town, towards the River Liffey. We crossed Ha'Penny Bridge and strolled through O'Connell street. We slipped into the Grand Post Office. I was woefully unaware of the Irish civil war that took place in this county in 1916 starting with the Easter Uprising. Count it as naïve that I assumed there was a peaceful break with Brittan. I suppose that is where the US has something in common with Ireland. The Britts did not make independence easy on anyone and this bloody battle is case in point. The GPO exhibit is truly well done and highly recommended. it gave all of us an understanding of the battle and the political issues surrounding it.

Just down the street is a giant stainless steel Millennium Tower, a spire that reaches nearly 400 feet into the air. Adjacent to this spire is Henry street, a pedestrian only shopping area where we walked and watched people / musicians / etc.

Today was the Irish Commemoration day (essentially Memorial day) so the Dublin Castle was actually closed. However, we finally managed to find our way to the chapel and the gardens because we decided to check out the Chester Beatty Museum. This decision serendipitously led us through the back side of the otherwise closed castle. we did get to visit the chapel and the original stone wall.

Chester Beatty is the closest thing to a literary version of J Peterman. He was a wealthy rail man who spent his life collecting rare written and other works in sometimes Indiana Jones fashion. He collected rare items such as original Epistles of Paul, Buddhist scripts and Japanese scrolls that are some of the oldest known. The collection was amazing and unbelievably FREE.

After scratching our intellectual itch, we were thirsty. So Jameson distillery to the rescue. We made the mile walk across the river and signed up for a Bow Street experience. The tour is really an advertisement for Jameson (like most tours) but it was also very enjoyable. The guide was entertaining, the high-tech effects very interesting and the whiskey VERY enjoyable. The kids were champions in dealing with the tour.

We had to take a quick rest that evening and then headed to the Braven Head, Dublin's oldest pub. There we enjoyed a traditional Irish meal, served family style, along with folklore, singing and stories about Ireland. It was very well done and while the food was not the best, it was very traditional pub fare.

The boys decided they needed a rest so we parked them at the hotel and made our way down the street to O'Donoghue's, a long standing pub in Dublin. We listened to a few live music songs and then headed for home. It was a great day in general.

Tomorrow we head out for the countryside.