Friday we got up a little later and headed north through the city to the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and tasting. The Storehouse was massive and not crowded first thing in the morning. The tour was really cool; self guided and it explained the history of and how they make it. Arthur Guinness leases the property at St James Gate for 9000 years from the city and also had a clause saying he could import water from the Wicklow Mountains throughout that time into the city for his beer. We got to taste a small sample and then look at advertising through the years. We even got to learn to pour our own and then drink it. I thought it was ok; very smooth but still too beery for me. We hoped to get oysters to have with it but the restaurants weren’t open yet. At the top floor they had a Gravity Bar that had 360 degree view of the city. Very pretty place to finish up our pints. (Brandon had a Coke).
We headed back to the apartment to drop off our purchases and then we to lunch at Crackbird; a chicken sandwich place. We then went to the National Museum of Natural History which boasts one of rhe largest collections of taxidermy animals in the world. Some of which were from the 1800s. There was a variety of Irish animals in one gallery and then from all over the world in the other. Some of the taxidermy was pretty poorly done, but most was old so it was understandable. We also went to the National Museum of Archeology. There were Vikings and Medevil Ireland exibits on that were interesting.
We then went back to the apartment to nap. The nights are noisy since it is warm in the apartment and we have the windows open since there are bars nearby. Daytime is also loud due to the seagulls and construction near us, but we were able to sleep.
Lindsey came over and we went to supper a few blocks away at Abrakebab. It was delicious. We then walked to Grafton street for last minute souvenir/gift buying. We parted ways with Lindsey and headed back for an early bed time.
Saturday we got up before the sun; 4:00 am!! And took a cab to the airport. We were going to take the bus but it was only a euro more to do a cab. We got to the airport in half and hour so it saved us time and effort to haul our bags around and walk 15 min to the stop. Clubs were still letting out and a few people were still out from partying the night before. There was a pethera of cabs available because of this.
We then waited in the United line until they opened at 6. Then we burned time after security until the US customs opened up at 7. I hadn’t known they did that part of immigration and customs in other countries. We had to get rid of liquids again and I had to eat and toss my spare grapes and blueberry muffins. I knew to declare we had food though after watching so much Australia Boarder Patrol. Best to declare it and have to toss it then not and get found out and fined. I am not sure what the US penalties are but in Australia it can be hundreds of dollars.
We made it to our gate with plenty of time to spare. Lindsey found us and we chatted until we started boarding. We parted ways again and our flight was the scheduled 7.5 hours without incident. I watched The Heart of thr Sea, The Danish Girl, Zoolander 2, and The Good Dinosaur. No sleeping for me on ths flight!! For food I had cheese and spinach ravioli, strawberry ice cream and a prezel bun with turkey and Gouda. It seemed to go so fast being midday and also not being stuck not moving for the first 5 hours like on our way there.
Chicago airport was easy since we didn’t need to go through customs again; we got our bags, took the tram to the car and we were off home. I couldn’t convince andyone to stop at two more castles on the way back, the Bristol Renaissance Fair and the Cheese Castle. We did stop for Culver’s in Kenosha for lunch. Once Brad and Ciara took off home to snuggle their cats; Brandon and I cleaned up the litter mess in our apartment and then unpacked. We got laundry going went for a walk in the heat.
It is true whay they say about Ireland, though we found in Dublin more, that you can have all three seasons in the matter of a few hours. It may be cool in the morning, then turn hot, then cold and rainy, then pleasant. The weather is fickle so you bring rain gear everywhere and dress in layers.
Our trip was amazing and we saw do many things. I think my favorite was the Giant’s Causeway and of course the castles. Brandon’s favorites were the castles and the distilleries.
Until our next trip…
