-Kenton
Today Julie and I decided to get up early and grab breakfast at the hostel. That way we would have some time to go out and do some sightseeing on our own before we met up with Joe, Sarah,
and Professor Glesson to catch the bus for Glean Cholm Cille. The bus was leaving at 1 and we had told Joe and Sarah we would try to meet them at the bus station where they get dropped off from the Airport between 9 and 10.
The first place Julie and I visited after breakfast was Steven's Green. Professor Glesson had showed us Steven's Green the day before but we didn't get a chance to walk through. Our walk through the park this morning was great. The Green reminds me a lot of Central Park in New York.
After the park we headed over to Trinity College again to see if the Book of Kells exhibit was open. Unfortunately it wasn't so we decided to head out for a long walk through the city to the bus station. We got a little last along the way but once we were on the main road we had no problem finding our way around. We got to the bus station and waited untill a bit after 10 for Joe and Sarah. Since they hadn't showed up yet we assumed that their flight was delayed and decided to head over to take the Guiness Brewery tour.
We had another great really friendly cab driver on the way to the brewery. He gave us some great information about the history of the area we were heading to and a little about Guiness itself. Once we got inside the brewery we were amazed by the tour. Don't expect to get to see any of the actual brewery itself. The Gusiness tour is more a multimedia and museum experience. There a waterfall, tons of video. a simulated batch initiation, and lots more to see. Give your self at least 2-3 hours. Longer if you want to relax when your having your free pint of beer in the gravity bar on the
7th floor. The best view of Dublin we experienced while we were there.
After we left the Guiness tour we grabbed a cab and headed to the bus terminal to meet up with the others. This cab driver was special however...We turned ou to be cousins! My wife(Noel) has family in Louisburgh, County Mayo. I was talking to the cab driver about my trip and how I was planning to stay with some of my wife's family and the more the driver and I talked the more started to realize he knew who I was talking about. He was actually able to call up Mary B. (my wife's cousin) and let me talk to her. It's a really small world.
At ther bus terminal we met up with everyone and got on our bus. It was about a 4 hour ride with a break mid-way to Donnegal. The ride was beautiful with lots of scenery. I wish I had grabbed something to eat either at the break point or while we were in Donnegal because we didn't get to Glean Cholm Cille untill about 8 and the we had an orientation at 9. So by the time we got all settled and were ready to eat everything was closed.
We ended up going to a local pub called the Glean Head and had pints with some crisps...not a very filling meal. but besides the food situation everything is wonderful. Joe and I are staying in a cottage about 10 minutes walk up the hill. The girl's cottage is right next door to the school. I would say the girls lucked out but they don't have this view to wake up to and got to bed to every night. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I'm super tired so I'm going to bed.
Today Julie and I decided to get up early and grab breakfast at the hostel. That way we would have some time to go out and do some sightseeing on our own before we met up with Joe, Sarah,
and Professor Glesson to catch the bus for Glean Cholm Cille. The bus was leaving at 1 and we had told Joe and Sarah we would try to meet them at the bus station where they get dropped off from the Airport between 9 and 10.The first place Julie and I visited after breakfast was Steven's Green. Professor Glesson had showed us Steven's Green the day before but we didn't get a chance to walk through. Our walk through the park this morning was great. The Green reminds me a lot of Central Park in New York.
After the park we headed over to Trinity College again to see if the Book of Kells exhibit was open. Unfortunately it wasn't so we decided to head out for a long walk through the city to the bus station. We got a little last along the way but once we were on the main road we had no problem finding our way around. We got to the bus station and waited untill a bit after 10 for Joe and Sarah. Since they hadn't showed up yet we assumed that their flight was delayed and decided to head over to take the Guiness Brewery tour.
We had another great really friendly cab driver on the way to the brewery. He gave us some great information about the history of the area we were heading to and a little about Guiness itself. Once we got inside the brewery we were amazed by the tour. Don't expect to get to see any of the actual brewery itself. The Gusiness tour is more a multimedia and museum experience. There a waterfall, tons of video. a simulated batch initiation, and lots more to see. Give your self at least 2-3 hours. Longer if you want to relax when your having your free pint of beer in the gravity bar on the
7th floor. The best view of Dublin we experienced while we were there.After we left the Guiness tour we grabbed a cab and headed to the bus terminal to meet up with the others. This cab driver was special however...We turned ou to be cousins! My wife(Noel) has family in Louisburgh, County Mayo. I was talking to the cab driver about my trip and how I was planning to stay with some of my wife's family and the more the driver and I talked the more started to realize he knew who I was talking about. He was actually able to call up Mary B. (my wife's cousin) and let me talk to her. It's a really small world.
At ther bus terminal we met up with everyone and got on our bus. It was about a 4 hour ride with a break mid-way to Donnegal. The ride was beautiful with lots of scenery. I wish I had grabbed something to eat either at the break point or while we were in Donnegal because we didn't get to Glean Cholm Cille untill about 8 and the we had an orientation at 9. So by the time we got all settled and were ready to eat everything was closed.
We ended up going to a local pub called the Glean Head and had pints with some crisps...not a very filling meal. but besides the food situation everything is wonderful. Joe and I are staying in a cottage about 10 minutes walk up the hill. The girl's cottage is right next door to the school. I would say the girls lucked out but they don't have this view to wake up to and got to bed to every night. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I'm super tired so I'm going to bed.
1 comment:
My last and second day in Dublin was great! I'll admit I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't see the Book of Kells, but I will suppress my nerdiness and survive. I enjoyed St. Stephen's Green (as the picture shows) and also the Guinness factory tour. My favorite part of the tour was of course the free Guinness at the end (although technically it's not free since it's part of the admission price). Guinness really does taste better the closer to Dublin you are, and especially when the bartender knows how to pour it.
After the tour we met up with the group and Prof. Gleeson for our journey to GlenCholmcille. Although Prof. Gleeson said the scenery on the drive would be boring, I found it very interesting. I love the fields and small villages that passed by on the way. Donegal town was also very picturesque. In some ways it reminds me of Door County though, somewhat touristy.
When we arrived in Glencholmcille Sarah and I found out that our cottage is right next to the school (location, location, location). We settled in and then went to the orientation. Honestly, the orientation scared me a bit. I didn't understand a word Liam said (even level one) which made me embarrassed. I'm a teacher so I like to know what's going on in a class or lesson. This trip will be a challenge for me as I have to let go of my inhibitions and control.
The night ended by going to The Glen Head pub where we ate Pringles and drank beer in order to fill our very hungry stomachs. Some of the first songs I heard in Ireland: Dixie Chicks and Johnny Cash. Not exactly what I expected for the first evening, but I will keep up my optimism.
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