Dublin, Ireland - Shawna's solo vaca with CIE - Days 1 & 2

It was definitely a challenge to embark on a solo vacation but after 2 days in Dublin I was just having so much fun! I did miss Dave and wish that we were sharing the experience together and it was a little weird when eating by myself or sitting next to someone I don't know on the bus but it all went good!   Like I have ever had a problem making new friends!

The flight from FRA to DUB is quick, only about 2 hours and luckily I had a shuttle pick me up from the house and drop me right off which was great. Aer Lingus is a nice airline but no drinks or snacks on short haul flights, which is probably typical for inter-European travel. Getting into Dublin was neat, flying into the island country was beautiful and I really can't wait to see more of it! 

The east coast of Ireland

I took a bus to the Burlington Hotel because I missed the free shuttle provided by CIE Tours International, due to my flight getting into too late, but it worked out fine. I checked in and directly headed on foot to check out the city and try to get a tour at Trinity College to see the world famous Book of Kells.

Trinity College Buildings "Heaven" (dining hall on left) and "Hell" (examination building on right) - duplicate buildings.

This has one of the worlds greatest research libraries holding over 200,000 printed books and manuscripts from Ireland. Since 1801 it has had the right to claim a free copy of all British and Irish publications under the relevant copyright acts and has stock of nearly 3 million volumes! The quick campus tour is led by History students and was fun. It's a beautiful old college founded on 1952 by Queen Elizabeth I to establish a Protestant way of thinking. Catholics were not really allowed and women weren't enrolled until 1904, now the population of about 17,000 students is dominated 65% by women and 70% by Catholics! Our nice little guide (who's completely Irish name is now where to be found in my full of too much information brain) led us to the Old Library that holds the Book of Kells and I have to say, the actual book was really anti-climactic for me. This book, for those that don't know, contains the four gospels, in Latin and was probably produced somewhere in the 9th century by monks from the island of Iona. It was sent to Dublin in 1653 for reasons of security during the Cromwellian period. it then came to Trinity College through the agency of Henry Jones after he became bishop of Meath in 1661. What was more impressive to me is the Long Room (that holds all of those super old books!) and boy does it sure smell like old books! It was a beautiful room though and even though photography wasn't allowed I managed to sneak one pic when the security turned around. I know, I'm such a bad ass.

The Long Room in the Old Library

After the college I wandered around the streets and visited Dublin's shopping area on Grafton Street where I actually witnessed a "Flash Mob" in the street with a singing choir and everything!

Flash Mob on Grafton Street

I walked around, bought some souvenirs, used the .20 toilet (cheaper than Germany!), then made my way back towards the hotel where I attended a Mass in a close by church. St. Mary's was very nice and so were the people, in fact a nice older man asked me if I'd like to take the gifts to the front.  Well sure, why not!  There was no music or singing but just to listen to the Priest in his Irish accent talk about the book, "The Power of Positive Thinking" in his homily was good enough for me.  It was only about a 45 minute mass!

Inside St. Mary's where I attended a lovely Irish-Catholic mass

I walked 10 minutes back to the hotel where I figured I would have dinner because there were 2 restaurants and 2 bars to choose from. The restaurants were actually closed because it was Sunday so instead I stayed in the lobby with the dozens of other guests because there was fabulous people watching due to a Peter Mark (I think it was) hair and fashion show going on at the hotel. I ordered dinner in the lobby and got to chatting with Jon and Carol who are from Syracuse, NY and live only streets away from Dave's cousins! Small world, as we usually seem to say whenever we meet people. I ordered another Bulmers Cider, which is most delicious, and headed back to my comfy bed for a good nights sleep!

February 20th

After a full breakfast Monday morning I made my way to the Hop On Hop off bus with a few other CIE travelers, Karin and Tim from Pennsylvania. We all got off at the Guinness Storehouse, which is a must-do in Ireland! 

Front of the Guinness Storehouse

I have never been a big fan of Guinness but it sure tasted good right from its origin point. The Storehouse was quite an impressive 7 story building taking you through the entire Guinness making experience right down to the tasting of delicious foods made with the dark stout. I sampled the smoked salmon and chocolate mousse that were each paired with a certain kind of Guinness - YUM!

Guinness Chocolate Mousse paired with the tastey stout

Time was running short since I had to be back at the Burlington by 2:00 for a city tour and the Hop On Hop Off was not going to get me there in time so I hopped off on the busy O'Connell Street and grabbed a cab. The driver was so nice and friendly and I just loved talking to him and hearing his Irish accent!  He has been in the States quite a few times and I was most shocked when he said that one of the places he loved was Buffalo! Niagara Falls of course...I guess I tend to forget that is what would draw people there. :)

O'Connell Street with large statue of Daniel O'Connell known as "The Liberator"

The city tour through CIE was a little bit of a duplicate from what I heard on the Hop On Hop off earlier but we visited the Dublin Castle and had a nice tour there. This was definitely not the typical castle that Dave and I have been used to seeing, but more of an embassy or palace filled with state rooms. I mostly enjoyed our guide, Jennifer, who was a lovely Irish girl with such a beautiful accent!

State Drawing Room in the Dublin Castle

After the tour we headed back to the Burlington before going to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner and Irish music and dancing.

The Merry Ploughboy - about 20 minutes from Dublin

We filed into the pub and sat at the long tables where I joined a group of ladies at I hadn't met yet. Mari, from Colorado and Judy and Brittany (mom and daughter) from Florida, as well as 2 more mom and daughter combo's from NY.  My next trip is surely with my mama!  What a fun time indeed! The food was good and the entertainment was just absolutely amazing. There were 3 women and 2 men dancers who just moved so quickly, it was so beautiful. The 4 singers were just so wonderful to listen to that I could have stayed there all night drinking my Irish cider, tapping my feet swaying to the music. I thanked grandpa Flynn for giving me my Irish roots because I have never felt more like at home than anyplace I have ever been!

As usual, I've captioned the pictures with much more detail so be sure to click on the link if you can't read them!