Cork to Dublin - Day 6

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Happy 42nd anniversary to us! How wonderful to spend it in Ireland!

Today was a travel day to Dublin. We caught the train from Cork at 10:20 and arrived in the capital city about 1 pm. Very different first impression than of our previous city. Cork is very laid-back and easy to navigate. Although Dublin is also a great walking city, the streets are crowded with hoards of tourists waiting for buses and lots of street construction, making crossing sites risky.

We dropped our bags at Trinity City Hotel, our home for the next 5 nights, and headed out to lunch. We are conveniently situated to the Temple Bar area, noted for its bar scene and nightlife. We had a light meal of vegetable soup at the Banker's Lounge. Back to the hotel to check in. Our hotel is built around a fire station. Didn't realize when I booked it that it is still in use. We have a lovely room in the old bell tower.

Ed rested and I headed out to see the Liffey River, 2 blocks from the hotel, and get a perspective on the city.

Tonight we went to the Traditional Musical Pub Crawl. We met at a bar up the street and then headed to Ha' Penny Bridge Inn where we were treated to some great music by a duo -Tricia Hutton on fiddle and Fiach O'Conner, singer and guitarist. They discussed the particulars of Irish music along the way. They said there were only 3 instruments that originated in Ireland, the Cláirseach, the Irish harp which is the official symbol of Ireland; the Uilleann pipes (similar to bagpipe but meant to be played indoors -- Instead of blowing into the pipes, the wind comes from a bag pressed under the arm); and the Bodhrán, a one sided drum that is played being held on its side and hit with a small stick. Fiach demonstrated this for us.

Then we walked to Flanagan's for an Irish dinner, more music and Irish dancing. We walked across the River Liffey on the Ha' Penny (pedestrian) Bridge, so named because it used to have a half penny toll. 

Then we walked down O'Connell St. where we saw the Millenium Spire, which was erected in 2003 to replace the statue of a British general that was taken down in 1960.

At dinner, we sat with a lovely father-daughter pair from Atlanta. The food was delicious and the music was very entertaining.

Since this is our anniversary, we had to commemorate it with a photo.Then we walked back to the hotel, catching a glimpse of the Ha' Penny Bridge from the other side. Such a beautiful night.