Subject: A week in Dublin |
Hello folks,
I just got back from an Air Transat package deal of a week in Dublin and 5 nights at Jury's Inn Custom House, and I thought I'd report. We found a B&B in Sutton for the other 2 nights. The weather was terrific and we walked everywhere. We did the usual 'tourist' things, and several things that were suggested by fellow Ziners. The Musical Pub Crawl wasn't what we expected, but it was better. For only 12 euro we were entertained by 2 musicians with jigs, reels, and ballads, and were told a very interesting history of traditional Irish music. We visited 3 pubs in the Temple Bar area and went to upstairs rooms that were reserved for our group. When the tour was finished around 10 pm they recommended 3 pubs on the edge of the tourist area that see more locals than tourists.We tried the Guinness so that we could say "been there, done that", but it must be an acquired taste. http://www.discoverdublin.ie The Jury's Irish Cabaret was geared for tourists but it was a very enjoyable show and meal. There was a lot of variety, with Riverdance-type dancing, singing, and humour. We were lucky to go when we did, because it was over for the season last week. We took a bus tour to Glendalough and the Wicklow mountains, and I would highly recommend the company Wild Tours. http://www.wildwicklow.ie The bus driver/guide had a good sense of humour and she was passionate about Ireland and Irish history. She was a good driver too--there isn't much room for moving over on those narrow roads through the mountain bogs. Mary Gibbons tour to Newgrange was recommended and we signed up for it, but somehow we missed the bus. We thought we were in the right place at the right time, but it didn't work out and it was too late to rebook. However, we went to Newgrange and to the Hill of Tara with friends the next day and it was lovely to visit the Hill of Tara without a busload of people. I can recommend the light fare in "The Joy of Coffee" in Temple Bar--especially the soup. And, as instructed, I did go into Thunder Road Cafe for the banoffi pie. It was a real treat and I'm going to look for the recipe. The Bus Rambler Ticket is a good buy--on and off the buses all day. Hope these suggestions help someone who is going that way. Nancy, back in Bowmanville ON |