We spend two nights in Clogherhead, the first very quiet the second not so. Our first evening is spent watching the seals bob up here then there. It was very entertaining. There is no pub here unfortunately but there are some excellent reviews of the seafood chowder from the Fishermanโs Co-Op.
So itโs the chowder and chips for dinner. The chowder was excellent home style. I thought the chips were the best Iโve had in Ireland, not that we have chips that often. Pam has some maintenance issues to attend to so we drive into nearby Drogheda. We have a wedding to attend in Santorini in a few days and the mother of the groom doesnโt want to appear as though she has been living in a camper-car for 5 weeks.
No point driving into Dublin mid-afternoon so we pop back to Clogherhead for another night. Itโs a warm evening and cars are coming and going down to the quay till late, just after mid-night two of the fishing boats load up and head for open water waking us again. Itโs free here and some disturbance occasionally is part of wild camping.
So we say goodbye to Clogherhead and drive south for Dublin. Making a quick stop at the Blue long term parking at Dublin airport (we plan to leave the Hymer there for a week whilst we fly to Santorini) to check how it looks for security. After some delay due to traffic on the ring road we park at the Red Cow P&R.
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Map of Dublin, icon indicates Red Cow P&R
Most of the free stops on our data-base for Dublin have some bad reviews, particularly recently as it is high season. Our friends Ian and Jo stayed at the Red Cow last year and recommended it. Parking at Red Cow and a day ticket (for two persons) on the Luas light rail is โฌ14.50. The trip to central Dublin takes about 30 minutes and a tram leaves every 10 minutes.
Our first stop is Trinity College.
Trinity College was established by Elizabeth 1st in 1592.
Dublinโs top tourist stop on any list is Trinity College with it’s Book of Kells and the Long Room (my apologies to the Lager Lads who may argue the Temple Bar is #1).
The Old Library of Trinity is The Long Room. As you take your first steps into the library you feel the urge to stop take it all in.
Circa 1712, 65m long holding 200,000 of the world oldest and rarest books. Looks like something from Harry Potter.
As well as the Brian Boru Harp, thought to be the oldest in Ireland.
Then thereโs the Book of Kells. No photos ! Google it ?
Dublin Town Hall, can you spot Pam in this โWhereโs Wally Photoโ ?
The entrance to Dublin Castle.
A tour ticket was only โฌ6pp but we cannot get in till later in the day, so maybe tomorrow.
We lunch in the Temple Bar…
The Irish encourage American tourist to travel in old yellow army ducks. So they can talk loudly (about nothing) to each other.
Brass footpath plates.
Christ Church Cathedral, entry is โฌ8 so we give it a miss.
The adjoining ruins of the chapel house dating back a thousand years.
We continue our walk up Patrick Street to find St Patrickโs Park adjoining St Patrickโs Cathedral.We do cough up โฌ7pp to visit St Patrickโs as the LP has it on the top places list. The present building dates to circa 1220, but it sits on an earlier church.The Lady Chapel dates to circa 1270 but it reflects its complete renovation in 2013. The iPhone doesnโt do the lead light justice.
Heroic guy if you zoom in and read the inscription.
An ancient headstone excavated during the construction of the Cathedral.
The Choir. The Cathedralโs denomination changed several times during its early life but it has remained Protestant since ? Yes you guess it, the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Enough Cathedrals for today we walk on several block to St Stephenโs Green, the main park/gardens of Dublin.
Apart from its central fountain above there are 2 small lakes. A beautiful space and very popular for city workers having lunch on a summerโs day.
After Pam enjoys a little retail therapy and I listen to some street music in the Grafton St mall, by now itโs late lunch time.
The LP has Musashi Japanese Restaurant on its top lunch spot list.
So we just catch a tram and have something a little different for lunch.
Mulliganโs is one of Dublin oldest and most original pubs.
Mind you Iโm not sure they had 20 different beers on tap in 1762, but the Guinness here is excellent.
Mmm, Iโm missing you already.So we cross the Liffey for the final time. Itโs been a wonderful couple of days in Dublin, but Santorini calls.
Date: 12th June 2019 Travelled: 137 kilometres from Cashel, County Tipperary to Mollyโs Beach, County Cork Visited: Hore Abbey and Kinsale Stayed: […]
2 thoughts on “Dublin, Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช 2019”
Always great to read your blog,
Always great memories,
Keep safe.
Johannes and Joy ๐๐๐ฆ
J&J
Thanks for your comment. Hope your both well and enjoying WA this winter for a change.
M&P