*December, 2024* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 78 of 105_web.jpeg]] A combination of PTO hours to burn before losing them at the end of the year, as well as some screaming deals on Alaska Airlines award travel led Doug to pitch the idea of a little international jaunt before the end of the year -- and we're so glad he did! Ireland was going to be a stop of ours back in 2021 for a trip we had planned with my entire family that got sidetracked because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We eventually had our European adventure with the family -- where Covid-19 reared its head again, but that's another story. Ireland stayed on our list, though, and we were excited to explore Dublin a bit! Now that we've gone I think we'll definitely be back with my parents, perhaps part of a northern Europe / Scandinavian trip in the next couple years! ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 1 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 2 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 3 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Out in the fresh air after a long flight, a very short taxi queue!* ## The Fleet Hotel, Temple Bar ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 4 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The hotel lobby was gorgeous, with a vintage espresso machine behind the lobby bar.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 41 of 105_web.jpeg]] ## Day 1 Sightseeing ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 5 of 105_web.jpeg]] *While waiting for our hotel room to be available we walked around Temple Bar (far too early for much to be open and found a few open museums and locations* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 6 of 105_web.jpeg]] *From the rooftop garden of the Chester Beatty museum - which features some of his huge collection of religious texts, looking out toward the Dubh Linn Garden* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 7 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 9 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The Temple Bar all lit up at night* ## "Christmas at the Dublin Castle" ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 10 of 105_web.jpeg]] *A Christmas Market was set up in the courtyard of Dublin Castle* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 11 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 12 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 13 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 14 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Dublin Castle was also open for afternoon/evening tours and decked out in its holiday best.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 15 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 16 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Please do not sit on me.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 17 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The miniature theater toys caught my eye, as I fell in love with a version from "The Chipmunks" when I was a kid - triggering my love of technical theater which continues to this day.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 18 of 105_web.jpeg]] *I would have seriously loved to play with this -- alas, behind the ropes!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 19 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 20 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 21 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 22 of 105_web.jpeg]] *A beautiful ballroom - look at those ceilings!* ## Checkin' out the Dublin Gay Bars ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 23 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The George -- the "club" side, we also walked through the more pub-feeling side* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 24 of 105_web.jpeg]] *And Street 66, which was my favorite I think -- very mixed crowd, friendly vibe.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 25 of 105_web.jpeg]] ## Trinity College and the Book of Kells Experience ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 26 of 105_web.jpeg]] *No photos of the Book of Kells allowed, of course -- but the Trinity College library may also look familiar as the restricted section of the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 27 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 28 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 29 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 30 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 31 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Trinity College grounds.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 32 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Lunch at **Alfy's** after Trinity College - puree'd vegetable soup, cottage pie, and chips* ## Dublin Rock and Roll Museum - Temple Lane Studios So many Irish and European musicians have passed through the halls of Temple Lane Studios -- including being the first recording studio U2 used, as well as an entire room/studio for Thin Lizzie whose estate left all sorts of memorabilia. ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 33 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 34 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Brand new acquisitions -- we were the first tour group to see these guitars won at auction belonging to Rory Gallagher* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 35 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Thin Lizzie's display in-studio* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 36 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 37 of 105_web.jpeg]] ## The Fish Market in Temple Bar ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 38 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Described as "the best meal she's had in Dublin" by a YouTuber -- adding "even though it is in TEMPLE BAR!"* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 39 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 40 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Great assessment/recommendation, though -- the food was fantastic in this cozy but friendly spot.* ## Bus Tour: Cliffs of Moher, Galway City, Barack Obama Plaza ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 42 of 105_web.jpeg]] *A very early wake-up for our tour.* ## Barack Obama Plaza ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 44 of 105_web.jpeg]] *They can trace some of Barack Obama's lineage to a village in Ireland... so, as they do, Ireland has fully embraced him as Irish* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 45 of 105_web.jpeg]] *(heart hands)* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 46 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Conan O'Brien also commemorated at the plaza, with a commemorative air pump.* ## Cliffs of Moher ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 47 of 105_web.jpeg]] *We arrived at the Cliffs of Moher where it was sprinkling with some chilly winds.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 48 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 49 of 105_web.jpeg]] *As we stuck around the clouds were breaking up and starting to clear* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 50 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 51 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 52 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 53 of 105_web.jpeg]] *It even got a little NICE at one point! A lucky excursion as we'd heard that folks visiting a few days earlier basically had nothing to see because it had been fogged in.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 65 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Faux photo op against a greenscreen -- luckily we had a really clear day and got great photos without the greenscreen being needed* ## Burren ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 54 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The fascinating rock formations -- the limestone containing a bunch of fossils* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 55 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 56 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 57 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 58 of 105_web.jpeg]] ## Galway City ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 59 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Spanish Gate* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 60 of 105_web.jpeg]] *McDonagh's for seafood -- NOT McDonald's* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 61 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 62 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 63 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 64 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Another Christmas market!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 66 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Heading back to the tour bus for the long ride back to Dublin -- a long but enjoyable day!* ## Jameson Distillery and Guinness Brewery Tour Day ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 67 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Stopping for a pint and a bite* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 68 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 69 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Festive decor in the Jameson Distillery* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 70 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 71 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Everyone gets a drink as they wait for the tour to begin!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 72 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 73 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The tasting experience -- we learned how to taste and really appreciate the whisky. Going in for a smell? Try it with an open mouth -- you can almost taste it too!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 74 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 75 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 76 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Our tour guide was great* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 77 of 105_web.jpeg]] *The Brazen Head - the oldest pub in Dublin* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 78 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 79 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Next Stop: Guinness!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 80 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 83 of 105_web.jpeg]] *A wee Guinness at the start of the tour, they teach you how to drink it! Drink deep cos you don't want to drink the frothy head at all -- it's all Nitrogen and bitter.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 84 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 86 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Pretty sure this was just their water tap...* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 87 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Our tour guide was right -- seeing all of our groups Guinness pints poured in a row made for a great photo op.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 88 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Enjoying (well mostly) our complimentary pints at the Gravity Bar* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 89 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 90 of 105_web.jpeg]] *We didn't get into Dublina, but may go in on a future trip.* ## Bunsen ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 102 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 91 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Simple menu, great burgers -- definitely check it out if you get the itch for one.* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 92 of 105_web.jpeg]] ## Back to Jameson for gift shopping! ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 93 of 105_web.jpeg]] *But first, the donut shop around the corner from our hotel - **Off Beat Donut Co*** ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 94 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 96 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Casking three bottles to bring home for our family and friends -- a very special souvenir.* ## Cobblestone Bar for an Irish Session ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 100 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Cobblestone is a bar known for having daily "sessions" - where local musicians show up and just start playing!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 97 of 105_web.jpeg]] ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 98 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Musicians of the moment -- sounded great!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 101 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Projection mapping show near the hotel* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 103 of 105_web.jpeg]] *One last photo op outside The Temple Bar -- we didn't really drink in any of the bars in the tourist district, as we heard the prices go up each hour... haha!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 104 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Final stop of the trip - the gelato shop!* ![[Web - 2024-12 - Dublin with Doug - 105 of 105_web.jpeg]] *Souvenir for us, the Fosters, and my parents! From the Christmas Market outside the Jameson Distillery*