JUNE 2014 : IRELAND : Dublin

                              

                   A two hour flight from Milan to Dublin and we are suddenly in another world.

     A green, wet land with cool summers and a preference for pub dining to outdoor alfresco living.

      

 An unexpected sight as we lined up for security checks at Milan airport. Aisle or window seat for your dog, Madam?      

      

                           Arrival at the bus stop in Dublin and a refreshing lunch nearby.

       

         Only a day in Dublin so we took a Red Bus tour and took in some iconic sights.

         Here a cobbled street I with attractive shops and pubs.

                                 

Trinity College is near the city centre and was founded in the sixteenth century by Elizabeth 1. The library has a permanent exhibition of exquisitely handwritten and illustrated versions of the first four gospels, produced by monks in the 9th century on the island of Iona.

                                        

             The Long Room in Trinity College library is 65m and houses 200,000 of its oldest books. 

                                         

    James Joyce, famous Irish writer. Funnily enough there are statues in Ljubljana and Trieste, which we have seen on our travels and where he spent much of his writing life. I've bought copies of Dubliners and Ulysses for 3€ ea for holiday reading.

                                        

At the castle gallery there was a collaboration of glass and etchings in response to Joyce's Ulysses.

        

Dublin Castle is part of the city environs. It was built in the thirteenth century and was the home of the British Viceroy from its construction until 1922 when Ireland became an independent republic.

         

There are lots of large churches. This is Christchurch (12th century) just around the corner from St Patrick's Cathedral.

                                  

                                Bono and The Edge both own this copper-domed building.                 

      

          Bit of unexpected colour and movement

                 Rather wet. This is the Halfpenny Bridge which name relates to a toll that was levied to cross              the Liffie River in days gone by. As you can see, times are tough for some. High unemployment.

        

          Lunch in the Temple Bar district. Bit touristy but lots of life, music and activity.

        

          A world premiere!

       

                   Some of the actors...unknown to us but caused lots of screams from the crowd.

                                           

                     Our B&B is a little lacklustre and this picture sums up the general ambience. 

          Dublin has been such a friendly place. We're really impressed with the services for tourists. Nothing is a problem and everything is very accessible. Shame about the weather, but great about the pubs.

        

                     Thought for the day

M&M

25/6/2014