As we approached our last day in Dublin, we wondered if we had anything left to see. After all, we'd hit the high points in the visitors guide. But I'm glad we had that extra day, because it was just the kind of leisurely vacation day we needed after all that running around. ]]>
We woke up at around 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning and went to the hotel fitness center, which was well-appointed, and then got cleaned up and headed out for a day of hardcore Dublin sightseeing. Today was the day we would explore the north side of the River Liffey, so we started out with breakfast and coffee at a joint called Panem, just across the river on Lower Ormond Quay. The coffee was good and the frittata was delicious, even though they didn't heat it up. ]]>
We decided to visit a historic old pub called O'Donoghue's, which is famous for helping launch the Irish folk group The Dubliners. We took a table in the outdoor courtyard. The weather was steadily improving, and there was what the BBC forecaster called a "Cornish sun" in the sky, burning brightly but veiled by gray and white clouds. It felt like spring. ]]>
We've been back in New York a full day now, so I'd better get my thoughts on Dublin down before they fade away like that last pesky hour of jet lag. After all, time in the Irish capital can seem a blur, and not just because of the ever-flowing pints of stout. It's a city of sensory overload, with so much to behold that it takes a concerted effort not to bump into people on the sidewalk. Okay, the Guinness may be a contributing factor, but Dublin impressed us and exceeded our expectations at every turn, and the five days we spent there were as fleeting as they were fun. ]]>
All this week, Jaunted contributor CMB will be giving us notes on her Dublin Field Trip. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
Returning from our trip to Ireland last week, everyone wanted to know, “what’s the biggest difference between Ireland and the U.S.?” Here it is, drum roll please… they drive on the left. Disappointed? Yeah, we were too but it is a major difference and a tricky one for Americans in tiny rental cars. Luckily for you, we made plenty of mistakes driving on the wrong side of the road so that now you can learn from them.
First, even in if you rent a GPS with your rental car (they run around €5 a day), buy a map; better yet, buy two maps, one for the whole country and a separate one of Dublin. For whatever reason, the GPS always seems to go rogue at the worst possible time so it’s a good idea to have a backup plan.
Most rentals in Ireland are manual transmission. You will pay more for standard transmission but if that is what you drive at home, buck up and pay the extra money. It is difficult enough pulling out of the airport trying to remember what lane to be in, let alone trying not to stall, this is no time to be cheap. Outside of Dublin, there are roundabouts everywhere, remember traffic coming from the right-hand side has the right of way. ]]>
All this week, Jaunted contributor CMB will be giving us notes on her Dublin Field Trip. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
We mentioned last week that we had caught U2 at Croke Park in Dublin. Dublin is a mecca for U2 fans for obvious reasons---it is where the band formed, got their start and where most of the band's members still call home. Thus, the city is full of U2 landmarks. Here are our suggestions for the ones you can't miss.
Where to Stay:
The Clarence Hotel, 6-8 Wellington Quay, is the place to stay for U2 fans because it is owned by Bono and The Edge. The hotel is nice and the bar is popular, even with locals, but the stand out feature of The Clarence is the possibility of running into celebrities. When the band is in town they frequent the hotel for meetings and parties. It is also the place to stay for American celebrities in town doing press or filming. The hotel's prices are affordable too as standard rooms start around €179. ]]>
All this week, Jaunted contributor CMB will be giving us notes on her Dublin Field Trip. Any questions or suggestions? Let us know.
If you visit Dublin and don't wake up with a hangover at least once, you're doing something wrong. After all, they don't call it "Publin" for nothin'.
To cure the inevitable, Dubliners swear by Milk Thistle, no matter how much Guinness you had the night before. Milk Thistle is a Mediterranean plant that has been used for years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments including liver problems. You can find Milk Thistle capsules at most drug stores or natural food stores in the U.S. and Ireland. ]]>