Dublin!

Sunday, June 29th at 6:30pm

I woke up at 6:30am after a poor sleep and got ready for the bus. In my tiredness, I missed my bus and caught the next one to Letterkenny. I had to go to the Eireann Bus Station and luckily was able to get a Dublin express 40 minutes later. Needless to say, I was a bit stressed out at the beginning of my trip. However, the bus ride went well (I slept), I ate a sausage roll for lunch, and made it to Dublin at 2pm.

Dublin Castle

First thing, I made my way to my hostel, the Kinlay House just outside the Temple Bar District. It is just south of the River Liffy and very eclectic, almost like the Covent Garden/Soho area of London. I got my key dropped my backpack and went out walking. I took about two hours and toured the Viking District and Georgian area, including Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral (as in the St. Patrick), the shopping areas (I seriously found a place exactly like Covent Garden except smaller and less antiques), Trinity University, the government buildings (Dial, mayor’s house), the monument to Oscar Wilde, and back to Temple Bar. While out, I picked up a finger-picking book since I’m currently borrowing a co-worker’s guitar and Jonathan’s birthday gift. :)

Shopping in Temple Bar

Back at the hostel, I met a girl from the DC area who just graduated with a degree in physics from an IT school, played college soccer, and was passionate about politics. Perfect! We went to dinner at Gallagher’s Boxty House in Temple Bar where I had beef boxty and a Murphy’s stout – also perfect. We then went for dessert at Butler’s Chocolates – best mocha I’ve ever tasted. All in all, it was a great start to the night.

After dinner, we met to French guys and an American at the hostel while we rested our feet. I’m really glad that I chose a 20 bed mixed room at Kinlay house because, a) Kinlay house was amazing – clean, warm, and plenty of amenities, and b) there was a great mix of people in our room to sit and chat with. I was sharing a cubby (two sets of bunk beds) with three British girls.

After our short rest, went to Cassidy’s on Camden Street where we met up with a few of the guys I had met last weekend from Falcarragh. Instead of the Temple Bar tourism (imagine Hoboken on a Saturday night, only everyone is speaking 40 different languages), we were in an Irish neighborhood, surrounding by actual Irish people. We hung out for a while chatting about politics and Irish/American culture before going dancing down the street. All in all it was great to be with people my own age and having some quality conversation.

This morning I woke up at 8am and after a complimentary breakfast and free internet at my hostel, headed to the Guinness Storehouse (which simply means fermentation house). Very awesome experience and well worth the ticket price. Unlike the usual bar tour, the Storehouse is a museum to the creation of Guinness Stout – its composition, history, and the role of the brewery in Irish culture. There are six or so floors of information and it was all very fascinating. At the top of the Storehouse is the Gravity Bar, where everyone receives a complimentary beverage of their choice and the opportunity to view the entire city of Dublin. It’s like visiting the Empire State Building after a brew tour.

I walked straight to the bus stop – 20 minutes in the rain (this seems to be a Sunday tradition) and caught the correct bus home to Falcarragh. Five hours later I was home; just started laundry and finished dinner. All in all, I’m very glad I went to Dublin. In the short time I was there, I got a sense of the city, met some awesome people, and had a great time. Hopefully, I’ll see my new American friend when she comes up to Donegal next weekend and have another opportunity to visit Dublin.

To see all my Dublin photos, click here.

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Sunday, June 29th at 10pm

Tonight Jonathan and I went on a date. We made plans to watch the Euro Cup Finals together between Germany and Spain. I went to the Shamrock at 8pm Irish time to watch the game and Jonathan went to a friend’s at 3pm est. We texted throughout the painful loss of Germany to Spain. Ok, so he’s a Spain fan and probably quiet happy that they won the cup for the first time in forty-four years.

Walking back to my house, my heart was breaking. I am so happy to have the opportunity of a lifetime; this trip is such a wonderful experience. It’s just so difficult to be away from my family, friends, and Jonathan for so long. (I also miss the heat, sunshine, wearing shorts and tanks, veggie slice from Gio’s, sushi, all the music on my computer, and the view of the city.) This weekend reminded me of just what I’m missing at home. I’m sure I’ll get to work tomorrow and be fine – I know I’m going to see you all again in a few weeks.