Toto, We Aren't in Scotland Anymore

When we first began planning this trip we thought we might split our time between Scotland and Ireland, as Chris' roots are partly Irish.  However, as I began to research all of the areas I was interested in seeing in Scotland, it became clear that to split our time between the two countries would leave us rushing and not getting a good feel for either, so we decided to only visit Scotland this time. However, this epiphany came after our plane tickets had been purchased and we were not able to change our flights without a massive penalty.  Since we still had to fly out of Dublin, we decided to spend a day or two looking around the city. 

We arrived in Dublin in the early evening after a short flight from Glasgow.  It was a bit of a culture shock coming from the Scottish countryside to a city of 1.2 million people and no sheep or Heilan' Coos!  Our hotel was situated downtown in Merrian Square and close to Trinity College which afforded us the opportunity to play tennis on some lovely courts without need for transportation.  The courts are normally not open to the public, but we made friends with the manager at the sports center and access was granted.  The Book of Kells at Trinity College was an attraction we had on our to-do list while in Dublin, but we ended up to-don'ting it due to the intimidating queues that formed everyday all day long outside the door. 

Queue for the Book of Kells with still 2 hours before it opens.

Tennis at Trinity College

The weather in Dublin was an unseasonable 78 degrees and sunny so we took a city bus to nearby Dollymount Beach where we searched for shells, flew a kite and watched wind boarders take to the sky.  Aside from the Chernoble-looking smoke stacks in the distance, the beach was quite nice and allowed for a pleasant afternoon.  

Dollymount Beach posers

Kids at Beckett Bridge on River Liffey

On our last day we played more tennis and took a taxi to the Guinness Storehouse for a self-guided tour of the facility.  Even though it was a sunny and warm Saturday, it was quite the popular tourist attraction as it was packed with people.  Admission included a free pint of Guinness at the end of the tour in the Gravity Bar on the 7th floor of the building.  Although it afforded an amazing 360 degree view of Dublin, it was so crowded and loud that we opted for a lounge downstairs to enjoy our pints and the Wimbledon Men's Doubles Final.  We took a horse-drawn carriage that took us through historic Dublin on the way back to our hotel and we understood at best roughly 40% of what the driver was saying due to his wonderfully thick Irish brogue. 

Carriage ride through historic Dublin

I don't wish to start a stramash, but we found Dublin to be a bit grimy and rough, and was a stark contrast to the slow paced and picturesque Scottish countryside we just left.  In addition, the people seemed to have a city edge to them.  That is, not immediately cordial or forthcoming until you first make an effort to chat it up with them.  This again, a contrast to the jovial and welcoming Scots.   Based on what we have learned from others, the Irish countryside is different than city life and filled with great beauty and charm, and I'm sure if we had ventured outside of the city we would have had an opportunity to experience Irish hospitality at its finest.  Alas, another time.

Stay tuned for our Scottish Best of the Rest which will include photos and commentary on all of the things we did and saw that didn't make the first cut due to time, relevance or my level of fatigue at the time!