Dublin, Ireland (Part 1)
Our nearly empty flight to Dublin, Ireland
When we made the decision to replace our 42 year old engine, the mechanic told us the replacement would take 2-3 weeks. After the initial disappointment subsided, we realized we have three whole weeks to do whatever we want. No house, no job, no pets, no obligations. Oh and by-the-way, we have a ton of frequent flier miles that have piled up over the years. So we began to figure out where our next trip would be. Due to covid, international travel was a bit limited. Many of our choices were out due to stringent requirements such as 14 day quarantine periods. Luckily, Ireland had just opened up its borders to US travelers, and since we were fully vaccinated, most of the attractions would be open to us too.
We arrived in Dublin on July 27th, one week after the country began allowing international travel to resume. As expected, our flight was only half-full which allowed us each to have our own row and spread out on the plane to get some sleep. Upon arrival we were greeted with exceptionally warm smiles all around and it was clear the Irish were very happy to have visitors once again. We gathered our bags, cleared customs, hopped on the local bus to Dublin, and we were off!
Our first stop was St. Stephen’s Green, conveniently located a few blocks from our hotel. It became obvious after a few minutes of strolling through the park that this was the first stop of many travelers. Many were bleary eyed, luggage in tow, and talking (loudly) on cell phones trying to find those they were meeting in town. We were in good company.
Brian watching the birds in St. Stephen’s Green after a long flight to Ireland
We continued wandering around Dublin exploring the local streets, shops, markets, and of course, bookstores throughout the afternoon. One of the more interesting stops we stumbled upon was a free exhibit at the Round Room, in the Lord Mayor’s official residence, the Mansion House. Which was recently opened to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the historic Dublin landmark. The Round Room was built in 1821 for the visit of King George IV to Dublin and is located within the Mansion House complex on Dawson Street, the residence of the Lord Mayor. The room has a storied history with visitors such as Queen Victoria, Pope John Paul II, and Nelson Mandela, and home to countless balls, concerts, and events that have helped shape Ireland to what it is today. This was also the same room Brian and the rest of the James Madison Marching Royal Dukes were given lunch after marching in the Lord Mayor of Dublin New Year’s Day Parade in 2007. A storied past indeed.
Adjacent to the Lord Mayors house was The Little Museum of Dublin chronicling the modern history of the city in the 20th century. After learning about the past of the Round Room, we appreciated the pop culture aspect of this museum and the 5,000 artifacts (most of which you can touch!) detailing modern Irish history and their love of John F. Kennedy and Bono. After checking into the Marlin Hotel and a few pints of the black stuff, we turned in for some well needed rest.
The Marlin Hotel, where we stayed in Dublin
After a wonderful night’s sleep, we were greeted with cloudy skies and the occasional rain storm (it is Ireland after all). After a nice brunch near Grafton street, we were off on our first full day in Ireland. The day’s itinerary included Dublin Castle, the Guinness Storehouse, and the Jameson Whisky Distillery. What better way to learn about a country than through its castles and drinks!
Waiting for the rain to let up before heading out to explore Dublin
Dublin Castle is known as the nerve center of historical power in Ireland and one of the most important buildings in Irish history. The original castle was erected in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, and for centuries, has served as the headquarters of the English, and later British, administration in Ireland. Following Ireland’s independence in 1922, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government and is now a major government complex. Admission was free and tours were self-guided due to the pandemic. We tend to prefer in-person tour guides due to the personal insight and shared experiences they bring, but the free audio guide provided plenty of information about the rooms, portraits and other sights along the way which gave us a good overview of the complex’s history. Even today, the castle remains an active government facility and the Irish continue to hold their Presidential Inauguration swearing in ceremony at St. Patrick’s Hall within the castle walls.
