What do you do if you only have 24 hours in Dublin? I will admit I didn’t schedule the end of the trip very well, leaving only a short time to explore the city. Maybe in the back of my mind I was thinking, ‘hey, do we really have to spend time in another city’ but of course, with every city, there are always special places that make it unique from the next.
After grabbing lunch at Nandos and saying goodbye to our friends, we drove into Dublin to Temple Bar Hotel in the heart of Fleet street. As soon as we checked in, we dropped off our bags and raced over to the Old Library at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Long Hall, a beautifully crafted library steeped with history and a mecca for book lovers.
Trying to cram a lot into a short time, we then headed to the Guinness Factory and had a pint in the Gravity Bar at the top of the city. With 360 degree views, it was the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the end of the trip.
We then hopped on a night bus tour with City Sightseeing and listened to the guide sing musical renditions of Irish ballads and covers songs as we drove through the friendly lit streets.
We ended the night at the oldest fish and chip shop in Dublin, Leo Burdock, and walked down Fleet Street in the heart of the Temple Bar area. Colors reflected off the cobblestone streets at every turn just as you would expect in a city full of energy. As we wandered the streets, it was clear that the city was no stranger to good times.
We woke up the next day, ready to make our way to the airport, but not before stopping at the Jameson Distillery. Although we didn’t realize alcohol isn’t served before noon on Sundays (go figure!), it was a fun last venture though the city. While we wished we had more time in Dublin, it was a good reason to go back. Heading to the airport, we vowed our next vacation would be a bit more laid back, but then again, that’s what we always say…
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