Back in NY: August 2011

Dublin: Day 2

On our second day in Dublin our feet were really sore, but that's nothing a little Guinness wouldn't fix!

The Ha'penny Bridge over River Liffey

The Millennium Spire, a stainless steel pin-like monument on O'Connell Street in Dublin.

The Kilmainham Gaol was a former prison in which many Irish leaders of rebellions were imprisoned and executed. Many movies and even a U2 music video have been filmed at the jail.

The Clarence Hotel - owned by Bono and the Edge from U2

The General Post Office

The Jameson Whiskey Distillery

Of course we had samples!

Jay won a whiskey tasting after the tour to compare American (Jack Daniels) and Scotish (Johnny Walker) whiskies to Irish whiskey (Jameson).

Later that night at a pub in Temple Bar called The Porterhouse, we tried a sampling of their most popular brews.

We also enjoyed their traditional Irish stew. Delish!

Dublin: Old Town

What better way to spend our first anniversary than touring the beautiful country of Ireland.

Though somewhat jet-lagged, we began exploring the city of Dublin. Our hotel was located at St. Stephen's Green, which is basically the Central Park of Ireland though nowhere near as big. The public park has a gazebo, beautiful gardens, and lakes full of ducks.

We took the Trinity College tour which was given by a current student of the college. The university was founded in 1592 making it Ireland's oldest. Inside the college we saw the book of Kells - not very exciting to be honest. We were more interested to learn that four years after graduating with a bachelors degree from Trinity, you have the option to pay a small fee and receive your master's degree! No course work - just a fee.

Grafton Street - the main shopping street in Dublin city center

Butler's chocolate cafes were all over Dublin. Luxury Irish chocolates - yum! This one is for you Michelle N!

Christ Church Cathedral

Exploring the centuries old crypts below Christ Church which are the largest in Britain or Ireland. Spooky!

When they say don't touch the exhibits, they mean it! Ireland is very strict!

St. Patrick's Cathedral was founded in 1191 and is Ireland's largest church.

Enjoying the view

Doing our famous dip in front of Dublin Castle, founded in 1204. Parts of the castle were seen in the television series pilot, the Tudors.

Here we are inside the The Guinness Storehouse, a huge 7-level atrium shaped like a pint glass, enjoying our free samples.

Pouring our own pints of Guinness

The Temple Bar area at night

Temple bar had many interesting street vendors. Here Jay attempts to ride a crazy bike in which the wheel turned opposite the handlebars. All you had to do was ride the bike 4 feet and you would win 30 euro - he did not make more than 3 feet.