I got the job to write about Dublin, as Leah is going by the principle “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
We’re not sure if it’s the cold weather, the city being so grey, the beggars on the street or the fact it is so expensive (for an Aussie anyway) that turned us off Dublin.
Crowd for the parade on O'Connell St, Dublin
St Patrick’s Day redeemed it somewhat. The parade started at 12pm (Irish adjusted time) through the city. There were grand floats and marching bands and hundreds of thousands of people. Many of the floats were space-themed, as 2009 is, apparently, International Year of Astronomy. Then on to Gallagher’s Boxty House for some great lamb ‘burgers’ (no buns?). And finally to an Irish pub in Temple Bar for a drink with the locals and other tourists. Great Guinness, ought to be since it’s made about 2km (yes, back to metric) from here.
Figures in the parade
Guinness!
mmm...
Our trip map is starting to look a bit better now! The ferry crossing to Dublin took 3.5 hours and was quite pleasant. Our final morning in Wales we had a walk on the beach at Trearddur Bay – if you ever need to campsite here, go for Bagnol.
I dunno – seems suspicious. If you’re in a Dublin pub on the 17th of March, shouldn’t there be more people?
Though I guess they’re all over here in stupid places like Gilhooley’s, so maybe there’s no one left over there?
Hi Julian and Leah,
Hope your trip has been good so far…sounds it
Sorry to hear you haven’t liked Dublin so much, we love it. Have made a trip over each year for the past 2 and planning another one for late april this year. Are you staying there long?
If so and looking for things to do…then you can actually go on a tour of Guiness factory, Bewleys in Grafton St is great, St Stephen’s Green…there is a great free gallery near Dublin Castle that we liked…if you want more suggestions, let me know
Hope the weather improves
Kate
@ Dave: We just beat the crowd – they were still at the parade. Dublin is pretty commercialised for St Patrick’s Day too; probably should have been in a small town.
@ Kate: Ah we should have asked you first! Quite a few things were closed on Monday, and of course on St Patrick’s Day. Had great weather the last two days!