I enjoyed Dublin and consider it one of the three best stops along the way (Edinburgh and Stonehenge being the others). Part of the enjoyment came from the city and attractions, part of it from hanging out with a couple, John and Joan from Australia, and the remainder from the entertaining cabaret show in the evening.
We began the day at the Guinness Storehouse, which I think is an odd first stop. Our guide suggested we head straight for the 7th floor and claim our two free drinks. Yes, start the day with a Guinness stout!
No, thanks; too early! Joyce had “Guinness Clear” and I had a lager; I thought having Guinness in Ireland was fine (not my usual choice, but Joyce loves dark beer), but maybe a little later.
The 7th floor does feature a wonderful panoramic view of the city, which was home to many famous Irish novelists and playwrights.
Later, we would visit a statue of Oscar Wilde and enjoy some familiar (to me!) quotations. I also told the story of Wilde’s fall to the Aussie couple; nice to have a new audience for my old stories from teaching.
The evening ended at Taylor’s Three Rock, an old (renovated) venue that presented a good dinner (yes, Irish stew and Guinness again) and a good show with Irish song and dance. I don’t usually appreciate such touristy presentations (and will scream if I ever hear “Molly Malone” again, since the memory of “Alive-O” kept me awake that night), but I enjoyed the production and stagecraft (so many costume changes!) and the use of the uilleann pipes, which I was familiar with from Troy Donockley and his work with Nightwish.
Luckily our digestive systems were back on track so we could enjoy ourselves.
MUSOFYR 