| Family Travels Dublin |
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| Dublin didn't live up to our expectations. It seems like a cliche...but it didn't seem very Irish...where are the leprechauns. Seriously....it is like a big international city...but we heard more foreign languages being spoken...mostly Polish and Russian immigrants. There are a few good sights... We liked the Guinness Warehouse and Jameson Whiskey Distillery. AND don't miss the Chester Beatty Library and Kilmainham Gaol Trinity College and the Book of Kells was interesting but not exciting. You should pass on Dublin Castle and the churches.... We enjoyed walking O-Connell Street and Grafton Street...Make sure you take the Double Decker Bus Ride. Like the pictures...Dublin is kind of gray and boring. If you want to visit Ireland...get out in the countryside. |
| Our tour of the college was given by a very witty alumni. The exhibits before the actual Book of Kells is more interesting than the pages itself....Don't rush through here...take time to learn the significance of the document and the monks who wrote it and decorated this 1300 year copy of the four gospels. **look for the ticket stand as you enter the front gate and buy the combo ticket....entrance to the Book of Kells and a college tour This is the "BIG" excitement in Dublin...but if you have been to the British Library..it is hard to get excited. |
| Trinity College & The Book of Kells |
| Date Last Visited -- 2006 |
| Dublin Castle |
| Get a 24 hour pass on the City Sightseeing Bus It runs a hop-on hop-off 90 minutes bus tour of the city with 20 stops (including Kilmainham) It is the best way to see the city and get transportation to the sights. Go early--get the first bus--its an all day adventure www.citysightseeingdublin.com |
| Don't miss strolling along, shopping and enjoying the two main drags. O'Connell--north of the bridge and Grafton--below Trinity College Street musicians and entertainters Gift Shops and Eateries |
| Click here for a bus map and helpful hints. A great way to get around the city |
| Click here for more info on the Dublin Pass A Very Good Value |
| Guinness Warehouse |
| YUCK--Not a Beer Drinker |
| The Dublin Pass really paid off here...free admittance and no lines. Veer to the customer service desk to the left. We like the exhibits... I think the kids learned something Dad learned to pour the perfect pint We all enjoyed our free pint upstairs in the Gravity Bar with 360 degree views. We also spent a good deal of money in the shops |
| The tour was very informative about the revolutions in Ireland, especially the Easter Uprising and the role of political prisoners in the Kilmainham Gaol. |
| Kilmainham Gaol |
| The tour was informative...but designed to make you want to buy Jameson Whiskey...We liked the samples |
| Irish Coffee YUM! |
| Jameson Whiskey Distillery |
| For us...the castle was ho-hum and not worth the tour or time But follow the signs and don't miss The Chester Beatty Museum hidden behind this building. The personal collection of rich American who retired to Ireland left his eclectic treasures in trust. We really like the original bits of the "Bible" as displayed on scraps of papyrus...including Paul's letter to the Romans Two monks were sightseeing...and chattering away in French...very excited about the display. My kids were fascinated. |
