We reached Dublin via Glasgow, and though the Ryan Air lady tried to give us a scare by ‘wondering’ if our UK visa was enough for Ireland, it turned out ok. Asking for a BVIS category specifically in your UK visa application is a good idea. We had pre-booked Aircoach to take us to the Holiday Inn Express on O’Connell Street (the stop is right outside the hotel) and the room was ready when we reached (lucky!), so we got straight into the thick of things, armed with a Flexi tram ticket for the day.
See/Do
The Jameson Distillery Bow St. tour is the right way to say hello to Ireland. Coincidence that we visited on the death anniversary of John Jameson! Going drunk to college has always been a dream. So we went to Trinity College soon after!A path we would take at least once day Guinness Storehouse. This should be your view from the ground when you get out 🙂
Rock of Cashel
We used Dublin as a base and did day trips to different places. Our first trip was with Paddywagon Tours.
The Irish High Cross, and a lovely viewAlso known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock,The neighbourhood is picturesque too
Blarney’s Castle
The first view of the castle. Kissing the Blarney’s stone is supposed to give you the gift of the gab, but though we were within kissing distance, we skipped! Ireland’s winter palette is out of this world!Blarney’s Castle is like a fairytale treasure hunt. The tour guide gave us a map and we spent all our time trying to catch the different spots. This was The Seven SistersIf a fairy popped up, I wouldn’t be surprised. The place is magical.Poison Garden. After this D tried to see the Fern Garden and we lost track of each other! These three window towers are all over the place.
Cork
Cork has a lovely small-town charm that was soon to become a signature of many places in Ireland. When we visited, it was all set for Christmas.
Eat/Drink (Dublin)
After our bookmarked places turned snooty, D found this wonderful place – JW Sweetmans, where we began with a cider and a golden ale. Now that’s a bar! Whiskey ChickenThe first of our Irish stewsMooneys was a small place near the hotel. And we tried a different version of the stew. The Temple Bar. Might as well call it a temple given the crowds! Everything is priced higher in this part of town.A peek inside The Temple BarAnother favourite spot in Dublin for the great food, drinks, and most importantly, the service. A little note for the warm water and the warmth. Highly recommended. D had a Bertha Gin, and I tried the first of many local whiskeys. This was Teeling, and the one that I chose to finally buy after sampling many others in later days. For a change, I loved the Tomato Soup. This is a Gaelic Boxty. Irish FilletBeef, Teeling Irish Whiskey, Black Pepper & MushroomCream Sauce, on Boxty Pancake
