Kilmainham Gaol and Guinness Storehouse

After a traditional Irish breakfast at the Bridge Cafe, we all hopped on to the Hop on-Hop off bus tour of the city and surrounds. So many cathedrals and churches I couldn't tell one from the other. In Dublin, there are 550 churches ( sounds a lot so I may have my facts wrong) but more than 1000 bars and pubs so it's said the Irish have their priorities right. 

Dublin is a beautiful city (see Facebook for more photos) and we went past so many beautiful buildings in quick succession that I don't know if I'll remember what they are. Our driver/ tour guide was difficult to understand so only understood part of the commentary. Keeley and I decided to hop off at Kilmainham Gaol ( we both like historical gaols, not ones currently in use!) We paid out 6 euro and waited in the coffee shop for a few minutes until the 11am tour. I was surprised at the large number of people on our tour, from countries all around the world. I can tell you I learnt a lot of Irish history! An educational but very sobering experience...

Inside Kilmainham Prison...do you know which movies have been filmed here?

Love this spiral staircase...

Hopped back on the bus to meet up with the rest of the family at the Guinness Storehouse. It should have been a half hour trip but in fact was over an hour because it stopped for 15 minutes or more at two stops. If I had known it was stopping for so long, I would have hopped off and grabbed something to eat at "Scrumptious", a little cafe right beside the bus stop, as my tummy was beginning to rumble. Lasted until the Storehouse though and headed straight for the cafe to sample the beef and guinness pie! It was scrumptious! Glad I waited. 

Then headed off to explore. Loved the collectables section, and ended up on the top floor at the Gravity Bar to sample the world-renowned beverage. Great view from the top! Dale had gone a little crazy in the gift shop but when he said that everything he had bought was less than 100 euro, we decided to check it out. We bought 2 t-shirts at the bargain price of 5 euro each (we are wearing them now!), a hoodie, a pair of socks, a cute carry bag, and a polo shirt. And got a tax refund into the bargain! 

Having a Guinness in the Gravity Bar...on top of the world.

Loved all of Guinness's advertising slogans and collectables.

Hopped on the bus again and did the circuit again and saw lots that I'd missed first time round. Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo, the American Embassy, right across the road from the President's house, St Stephen's Green, Grafton Street, ( I know this one from Maeve Binchy's novels), Trinity College, Temple Bar, and lots of cathedrals and churches.

Eventually got back to our hotel suite and flopped onto the bed, Devil's Bit cider in hand. It revived me enough to head down to the hotel restaurant to meet the family for dinner. I could not have walked another metre. Of course, I chose the special of the day, barbecue spare ribs with a glass of merlot for 15 euro, and had the creme brulee to complete the meal, not that it needed completing- I just love creme brulee! Staggered back to the room, not drunk, just incredibly tired, had a baileys on ice, showered and crashed into the most comfortable bed in the world. Very disappointingly, I only slept for 4 hours which is why I am up right now writing this!