Dublin Day 3: Kilmainham Gaol & Croke Park

U2

Kilmainham

The Script

Yesterday we went to the jail (Kilmainham Gaol) and the U2 concert at Croke Park. The Script and Bell X1 opened for U2, so the concert took up a good chunk of the day (and night). The energy of the crowd was amazing, even though some of us were ready to punch someone for not respecting our personal space. Standing for 7 hours with no refreshment or bathroom kinda sucked though.


Now we're lost in the Irish countryside looking for Cork. We're in a little town called Maynooth, which is cute and looks like the typical Irish town from a movie. We didn't know the scenic route would be quite this scenic!

(11:16am Dublin time)

Dublin Day 2: Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, & Dublin Castle

(8am Dublin time)

Yesterday we did a lot of tourist stuff. We bought one of those tour bus passes where you hop on or off at your convenience.We visited Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse.

Trinity College Dublin

We went to the huge library at Trinity College (which is the biggest library I've ever seen with nothing but old books) and saw the Book of Kells exhibit. The library had a handwritten copy of Beethoven's symphony no. 3 and the Rosetta Stone*, which was awesome.

* I later found out that this is a casting of the Rosetta Stone, as the real Rosetta Stone resides in London. I feel duped!


I saw so many awesome things today... I took so many pictures (mostly in St. Patrick's Cathedral) that my camera battery died... And I charged it last night.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

We took a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, where Guinness is made. Fun fact: the first shipment of Guinness to the USA landed in South Carolina... Which means Charleston! I'm learning local history in another country. The best part of the tour is the end, where you end up in the top of the Guinness glass (the building) for spectacular 360-degree views of Dublin. There are even quotes about Dublin written by famous authors printed on the glass near the monument/area the quotes mention. I picked up a pair of Guinness glasses in the shop, as they're celebrating their 250th anniversary and had special glasses made for the occasion.

Dublin Castle

Dublin Day 1: St. Stephen's Green & Temple Bar

(1am Dublin time)

Jacqui: We made it!

This is technically the end of the first day in Dublin, even though it's already tomorrow. Today we went to St. Stephen's Green and walked around the area surrounding it and Temple Bar. We ate in a little pub in Temple Bar area, and then sat outside the hotel U2 owns because there were cars out front that looked like they were taking people to the concert. They were, but it wasn't the band.

Then we needed a nap (which was much-needed) and had dinner at the hotel restaurant. I imagine it's pronounced like "ivy," but it's Iveagh. Then drinks in the hotel bar and now bed.

P.S. Not sure they know how to make a Long Island Iced Tea in Ireland. The bartender just poured a bunch of shots and some Coke into a glass that she squeezed about 10 lemon slices into. Dunno what that was about...