First real day back Ireland
The flight was longer then I would have liked as it was a bit cramped but once I was in I found myself in a bit of a hurry to get to the hostel and eat because it was already 10pm. I quickly figured out where my hostel was and then tried to relate that to the bus map and in my hurry got onto the 'short bus'. I call it the short bus because the route it ran was about 2km shorter then what I needed. Rather then wait for the next bus I just walked and suprisingly was able to get checked in, changed, and out to dinner before everywhere closed. Salmon and a blue cheese and potato soup. It was great, and big, which I had been longing for as in Spain everything seems smaller.
I got up a bit early, learning again that th sun comes up extra early in Ireland. First stop was the Guiness Tour. It was great. From there I went to the Jameson Old Distillery. I was on of four in the tour group who got to taste 5 different whiskeys. Very good. I still not a big fan of whiskey straight, or even with some water, but this tour gave me a lot more insight into things.
I bought the several bottles of whiskey, stuff you can't find in the US of course, and then wandered town a bit. I saw some signs for a Riverdance show. When I asked about tickets the guy told me that he was out...unless I only wanted one. Boy did I luck out. It was a great show and the theather was small. Although it was 3 stories tall it still had a small feel to it, and a big bar. That was a blast.
By the time I was out of the show it was 1030pm so I grabbed a bit to eat and then it was almost midnight and things started to shut down. There are a few bars here that stay open late, but generally things close at about midnight during the weekday it seems.
I hit the sack without going out and doing more drinking since I had to drive to Shannon the next day.
This is a small hostel located just up the block from the famous Temple Bar on Temple Lane in Dublin. The location is great for both day time exploring, and nightlife. It has 24 hour reception and keycard entry. I paid about 29€ a night which, considering the location, I felt wasn't that bad. There are three floors and no elevators so be ready for a bit of a walk. Every room is "ensuite" (with a bathroom in them) with rooms contaning however many beds. In addition to the 4 or 6 person mixed dorms they also offer doubles and twin rooms. The hostel has two computers in a common room where smoking is permitted, as well as a kitchen and dinning area where a free breakfast is served daily. They do not permit alcohol or smoking in the bedrooms. It is cleaned daily, and like a hotel they make you bed, something most hostels do not do.
Laundry services is 7€ and it is done overnight. Check out is a bit early, 1030am but as the sun comes out so early in Ireland I never had trouble being up that early anyway.
This was 14€ for a self guided tour. While the tour included a sample of Guinness in the middle of it and a full pint at the end, it was still, I feel, a bit over priced for a self-guided tour. The tour however was quite good. Each step had a detailed video explination and video footage of the process. Additionally there were some interactive computer events. They have a place for you to learn to pour you own pint even.
At the end of the tour you can go up to the top where there is a 360 degree view of th city and surroundings. It was great. Also there is another bar there that will serve many of Guinnesses other products including a new Tucan Guinness, and their two other stout versions. I tried the Tucan Guinness and found it a bit smoother then the original. But not so much so that I would prefer one over the other.
Becuase it is Guinness and it's a mark of Dublin I recommend a visit here, even though the price is a bit steep.
Only 9€ for an adult ticket in for this guided tour. They call it the Old Distillery because whiskey is no longer made her but rather now the production is in Cork. The tour guide was very knowledgable and I learned a lot about the production of whiskey and the differences between Irish, Scottish, and American whiskeys. Each step is explained in a museum like mock up of the area that this step took place in and I found it was easier to understand what was going on by standing in the middle of it. At the end of the tour you get a free glass, and four volunteers get to taste three different Irish whiskeys, a scotch, and an american whisky to see the differences. Very informative tour, definatly worth the money.
The end of the tour ends in the gift shop of course and there is pleanty to buy here. They have many whiskeys that are not available in the US as well as clothing and other trinkets.
