I spent the week in Ballymena, Northern Ireland for work, so I had the chance to spend a Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. I had a few people say - "just pick a few places to check out, don't try to do too much." Well - I think I walked a few miles today and got to see a lot!
I got to spend some time in a few churches/cathedrals - St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Ann's Church, St. Audoen's, and Christ Church Cathedral. These churches are hundreds of years old and have such amazing architecture and history. I went to Trinity College where in the Old Library they house the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is a famous manuscript of the four Gospels that were written in Latin in the year 800. They also have a few other old manuscripts of the New Testament and the Gospels. The Old Library was built in the 1700's and is two floors of wooden bookshelves - full with shelf ladders and a circular staircase to get to the second levels of books. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside. I spent a little time at St. Stephen's Green a beautiful garden and park within the city. I enjoyed lunch at Bewley's Oriental Cafe on Grafton Street which is noted as the "essential Irish cafe". This gave me a little time to read and rest my legs from all the walking. After lunch I walked up Grafton Street which is full of cute shops and pubs. I went to Dublin Castle where the British rule occupied the place from 1204-1922. Most of the castle was closed for restoration this weekend, so I was only able to see one of the castle towers and the castle church. I walked to the Guiness Brewery and Storehouse. It is said that Arthur Guiness the founder of the brewery signed a 4,000 lease on the 4-acre plot of land in St. James Gate for an annual rent of ₤45 ($75). I am hoping to go on the tour next time I visit Dublin, the tour wouldn't be the same without my beer loving husband. I finished off the day by walking through the Temple Bar area where there are plenty of places to grab a bite and a pint of the black goodness known as Guiness or some other beer. Then it was over the River Lifey on the Liffey Bridge, also known as the Ha'penny Bridge (because until 1919 there was a toll to cross) to find my bus to take me back to my hotel.
Grafton Street
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Local Pub
One of the Streets in Temple Bar
Bewley's Oriental Cafe
