Sorry for the Dublin delay! I was having issues with my computer, then when it was fixed, I got super lazy! The last 36 hours of our trip was spent in Dublin, and we were able to do quite a lot in a day and a half. After the 3 hour train ride from Galway we checked in to the Hilton at about 2pm and walked to the “Hop On Hop Off” bus. Since most places close around 6 every day, we really only had time for one stop. We had our priorities straight…Guinness Storehouse it is.

Outside of Guinness Storehouse

How to properly enjoy Guinness

Guinness has a self-guided tour of their old factory which they make very easy to navigate. You learn about how they make the beer, how to taste it, marketing, and the history of the family and the brewery. It was SO interesting! They did a great job of putting that tour together.

Jay's practicing his tasting in the sample room

After you hit 7 floors of Guinness info, you’re ready for the Gravity Bar, where you get a free pint. It’s a 360 degree view of Dublin with music pumping and tourists guzzling down the “black stuff”. It was a perfect ending to our first day.

View from teh Gravity Bar! Love how they explain what you are looking at.

Day 2 was jam packed! We started our day by going to Dublin Castle & Christchurch Cathedral. The Dublin Castle dates back to the 1700’s, when it was used for the seat of British rule in Ireland. Christchurch Cathedral was built in 1028, and is still used for church services today.

Dublin Castle

Christchurch Cathedral

Next we made our way over to the Kilmainham Jail, which was one of my favorite experiences of the trip. The jail was used from the 1700’s to the 1900’s. It has so much history! It was where many of the founders of the Irish revolution were held by the British (and killed). They even had young children there as prisoners, for as simple a thing as asking for money.

Walking through Kilmainham Jail

The great hall of Kilmainham….where most of the prisoner's were held.

My brain was getting tired and I needed a drink! Hehe…off to the Jameson Distillery we went. It turns out they didn’t distill it anymore in Dublin, it’s now all produced in Cork. The tour was kind of Epcot-like, with mannequins and smaller reproductions of the equipment they use, but it was still interesting.

Jay's ready for his favorite Whiskey!

At the beginning of the tour they asked for volunteers for a whiskey sampling…Irish vs. Scottish vs. American. Jay was in front of me, and I was vigorously pointing at him and smiling at the tour guide. My strategy worked! Jay was picked to do a tasting. Of course, he like Jameson the best. I was able to taste also when he was done, and realized there is a huge difference! Jameson is very smooth and a little sweet. Jack Daniels had more of a burn and woody flavor (due to the “virgin” barrels they use), and Johnnie Walker was smokier (from the smoky peat they use to toast the barley).

So professional! He even got a certificate, hehe.

One of the many quirky streets in Temple Bar

After our busy day was over, we walked around the Temple Bar area and had a great pint at the Stag’s Head pub. Our hunger started to kick in, and we wandered by Monty’s of Kathmandu, which had reviews posted all over the door and was very crowded.

Our last pub stop, wahhhhh!

Monty’s is a Nepalese restaurant. They definitely don’t have these in Florida so we were very excited! As soon as we sat down we were served a very crispy bread with great sauces. The combo of all 3 was perfect! Mango Chutney was sweet, Yogurt sauce was creamy & cool, The onions were savory & spicy.

Onions & Mango & Yogurt Oh my!

Creating my edible art

We shared 2 entrees and some rice. The rice was some of the best rice I have EVER had! It must have been coated in some of that delish Irish Butter.

LOVED this rice!

The main dishes were Chicken Chilli Nanglo (spicy little morsels of lightly fried chicken) and Ledo Bedo (a Nepali curry) with lamb. The Ledo Bedo was my favorite! The sweet & savory sauce went perfectly with the tender lamb.

Crispy chicken goodness

The exquisite lab curry dish

After being stuffed to the brim, we were ready to go back to the hotel and get ready for our early flight out the next day. As we were hailing the cab, it started pouring rain. It was the only rain during our trip to Dublin, and I think Ireland was sad to see us go

This is what happens when I eat too much of a good thing.

Travel Tip – Many major cities in Europe have the “hop on hop off” bus. For less than $20, you have unlimited access to the bus for 1 or 2 days. It takes you to all the great places to see, plus you get some history while you’re on board.  Plus you get discounts to most tourist attractions. It made our adventures in Dublin so easy!

Now I need ideas, where should I go on my next vacation?