Friday 24 March 2017

Dublin 2017 - Part 1

Going To Dublin

Thursday - March 9th 2017

Claudia and I had already been to Ireland many years ago, but we didn't visit the capital city. However we always wanted to return to Ireland and so for our birthdays we decided to go to Dublin. We took two days off of work and Thursday afternoon we drove to Munich airport, where we spent the night at the Novotel Airport Hotel, because our flight departed Friday in the morning. Once we arrived at the hotel, we checked in, had some snacks in our room and then we enjoyed some drinks at the hotel bar until we went to bed.

Novotel Munich Airport

Our Room

Friday - March 10th 2017

After we got up, we packed our stuff and took the shuttle bus to the terminal. Our Aer Lingus flight left Munich around 10:00am, so we had plenty of time to get a coffee. Boarding took so time, but we departed on time and after an uneventful flight we arrived at Dublin airport around noon. From there we took the bus into the city and luckily the bus station at O'Connell Street was next to our hotel. Claudia and I stayed at the newly opened Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre and it was conveniently located in walking distance to all major tourist destinations. Check in was quick and easy and soon we were in our room, which was really nice and modern.

Holiday Inn Express Dublin

Our Room

Our Room

Our Bathroom

Holiday Inn Express Dublin

Holiday Inn Express Dublin

After we unpacked our stuff we headed to Umi Falafel for a late lunch and then we checked out Dublin Castle. We didn't do a tour of the castle, but we took a look at the Castle Gardens. The garden was nice, but nothing special and so we got a coffee at the Chester Beatty Library. Later we walked to the Christ Church Cathedral and to the Hard Rock Cafe, where we had some drinks until we bought some snacks at M&S and Tesco for dinner, because we were still full from the falafels. Back at the hotel we enjoyed a last beer before going to bed. Our first night in Dublin didn't turn out as expected, because we had to change our room. Around midnight it got so loud in front of the hotel so that we couldn't sleep although we were on the third floor. There was a nightclub next to the hotel and the guests started screaming and yelling. So we went to the reception and asked for a quiet room, otherwise it would have been a terrible night. Luckily they had one available and we could finally fall asleep.

O'Connell Street

Dublin

Temple Bar

Temple Bar

Umi Falafel

Umi Falafel

Umi Falafel

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle Garden

Dublin Castle Garden

Dublin Castle Garden

Dublin Castle Garden

Chester Beatty Library

Dublin

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Hard Rock Cafe Dublin

Hard Rock Cafe Dublin

Hard Rock Cafe Dublin

Hard Rock Cafe Dublin

Hard Rock Cafe Dublin

Our Dinner

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Dublin 2017 - Part 2

Trinity College Dublin

Saturday - March 11th 2017

Thanks to the new room we had a quite night. After breakfast we were on our way to the Trinity College Dublin, where we booked the first time slot to see the library and the famous Book of Kells. We were a bit early, so we just walked around the campus until we were allowed in. Once inside we headed straight to the library to see it without any other guests. Unfortunately that didn't last that long and so we checked out the Book of Kells. Later we wanted to do some shopping, but suddenly I realized that I had left my keys in our old room's safe. So I hurried back, talked to the hotel manager and luckily the keys were still there.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin

River Liffey

Back in the shopping street we went to the Disney Store where we got more Tsum Tsums for our collection. Since it was around noon and we still had some time until lunch, we decided to have some drinks at Neary's Pub. What a great pub, because people were only welcomed if they were properly attired and over 21. Finally it was time for our lunch at Cornucopia, a vegetarian restaurant. In the afternoon we just strolled around the shopping streets until we returned to the hotel to rest a bit.

Shopping Street

Disney Store

Disney Store

Neary's Pub

Lunch at Cornucopia

Lunch at Cornucopia

Later we walked to Ireland's oldest pub, The Brazen Head. It was very crowded but luckily we got a spot at the bar. One drink led to another and so we stayed for quite some time at the cool and old pub. Back at the hotel we had some sandwiches from M&S for dinner and a last drink at the hotel bar.

River Liffey

The Brazen Head Pub

The Brazen Head Pub

The Brazen Head Pub

The Brazen Head Pub

Temple Bar