A Look At Dublin

Dublin, it seems to me, is a chaotic jumble of old, very old and fairly new. It was a difficult day dodging the showers and keeping keen wind out. But I managed to do some of the city with the help of a 'hop on and hop off' bus ticket. The missing parts will be waiting for me when I return in 2 weeks. 

Christ Church Dublin

The sombre distinctively grey stone is seen everywhere here and completely suits the equally serious Gothic architecture. The cathedral dates back to medieval days and also the choir school there was founded in the 15th century - and they are still singing. 

Inside the post office in O'Connell Street 

 The post office, in O'Connell street, is not any ordinary PO but was the place where the Irish uprising began in 1916. A large amount of this part of the city was destroyed during the ensuing battle between the rebels and the British army.

Another Wellington monument celebrating Napoleon's defeat. 

The great monument in Phoenix park is all about a British victory. I wonder if the Irish were as impressed as their rulers?

No prizes for guessing where I am.

This is just one of those famous Dublin Pubs

As expected, the tour of the Guinness brewery was just a bit more than I wanted to spend. Not only that, its probably the biggest tourist attraction in Dublin. I think Ireland is relying on tourism to keep it from sinking in the Atlantic. Although the weather is definitely not the best for this kind of activity, there are a surprising number of them about. Lots of Americans of course.

There must be a whole fleet of these things in Dublin.

  The 'Viking Splash Tour' is unusual to say the least. It all began when some bright spark decided to make something out of the fact that there was a thriving Viking settlement by the Liffey river a few years back. The idea is that the passengers ride along wearing gold spiky helmets while the amphibious vehicle takes a very short dip in the river. Well, whatever!
Cheers D

nutters