When BW's brother came to visit 'round Christmastime, we assumed he'd want to see Prague and then jet off somewhere without frigid windchill. But never underestimate a Minnesotan. Brother TheHipster opted to travel to the ruddy UK, so we piled into cheap RyanAir flights and headed for Dublin on our way to Scotland.
(Why is Dublin the fastest-growing city in Europe? Because it keeps Dublin and Dublin.)
Upon arriving at our apartment rental in the Land of a Thousand Smiles, we were greeted with this:
What is it? A cloud spear? A mammoth knitting needle? A pole to Heaven? No, no, no, it's the Spire of Dublin, a piece of 120-meter-high public art. (I read it's also nicknamed "the needle" due to all the junkies in the area.)
And then we bellied up to a warm table and dove into shepherd's pie and bangers and mash. A respectable first night.
In subsequent days, we trekked all over the chilly city - sometimes in aggravating circles - but we saw a lot that we liked. Some of my personal faves were...
The antiquarian book store Cathach Books (also known as Ulysses' Rare Books). There were rare editions by W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, of course James Joyce. And some of the tomes were worth tens of thousands of euros!
The Guinness Storehouse. Oh, fountains of dark, creamy amazement! We toured the place, learned about things like hops and barrels, and had our free beverage up in the Gravity Bar with an expansive view of Dublin.
The Dublin Writer's Museum. Ok, I did this one while the boys went to the Jameson Factory. Lots of scrawlings and letters and things from writers I love - and this big, framed, original manuscript by Jonathan Swift.
Live music at O'Donoghue's. We were just strolling along one afternoon with frozen toes, looking for a place to get warm, when we heard spirited Irish tunes wafting out of a building. Inside, there was a circle of musicians and we sat for over an hour, listening to them.
Trinity College. We weren't there long, but nonetheless, it was pretty surreal walking in the footsteps of the likes of Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker and lots of other luminaries in the world of literature and humanities. Unfortunately, the Book of Kells was closed.
The historied Long Hall Pub. This Victorian gem was empty when we arrived at opening time but full a half-hour later. And the staff was couldn't have been more amiable - maybe this friendly Irish thing isn't a stereotype?
Our next stop: Scotland. But here are a few parting shots of Ireland's capital:
(Why is Dublin the fastest-growing city in Europe? Because it keeps Dublin and Dublin.)
Upon arriving at our apartment rental in the Land of a Thousand Smiles, we were greeted with this:
What is it? A cloud spear? A mammoth knitting needle? A pole to Heaven? No, no, no, it's the Spire of Dublin, a piece of 120-meter-high public art. (I read it's also nicknamed "the needle" due to all the junkies in the area.)
And then we bellied up to a warm table and dove into shepherd's pie and bangers and mash. A respectable first night.
In subsequent days, we trekked all over the chilly city - sometimes in aggravating circles - but we saw a lot that we liked. Some of my personal faves were...
The antiquarian book store Cathach Books (also known as Ulysses' Rare Books). There were rare editions by W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, of course James Joyce. And some of the tomes were worth tens of thousands of euros!
The Guinness Storehouse. Oh, fountains of dark, creamy amazement! We toured the place, learned about things like hops and barrels, and had our free beverage up in the Gravity Bar with an expansive view of Dublin.
The Dublin Writer's Museum. Ok, I did this one while the boys went to the Jameson Factory. Lots of scrawlings and letters and things from writers I love - and this big, framed, original manuscript by Jonathan Swift.
Live music at O'Donoghue's. We were just strolling along one afternoon with frozen toes, looking for a place to get warm, when we heard spirited Irish tunes wafting out of a building. Inside, there was a circle of musicians and we sat for over an hour, listening to them.
Trinity College. We weren't there long, but nonetheless, it was pretty surreal walking in the footsteps of the likes of Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker and lots of other luminaries in the world of literature and humanities. Unfortunately, the Book of Kells was closed.
The historied Long Hall Pub. This Victorian gem was empty when we arrived at opening time but full a half-hour later. And the staff was couldn't have been more amiable - maybe this friendly Irish thing isn't a stereotype?
Our next stop: Scotland. But here are a few parting shots of Ireland's capital:
