Ireland Day 11

Today we woke up to rain, not drizzle, not showers, out and out rain. We decided this would be a good day to go to Dublin.

 We got in the car and drove to Bray where we grabbed the DART. DART is an acronym for Dublin Area Rapid Transit, similar to the GO Train only running on overhead wires.

 It was a 20-30 minute ride to Dublin following the coast in.

When we arrived in Dublin we split into two groups; Geoff, Derek and Myself going to the National Archives and the rest killing some time while we did a bit of research.

Our group arrived at the National Archives, our object was to find a little more information on the possibility of Kinchleas living in County Wicklow as word of mouth history has implied. Our first road block was needing 2 pieces of picture ID, I had a passport and drivers license, so did Derek, Geoff had nothing, no passport, no drivers license, nada. So he had to wait in reception while Derek and I went up. We had to relinquish all forms of liquids including pens and fill out forms to get a reading card, be approved for said card and sign a privacy waiver. Upon entering the reading room we were directed to an on staff genealogist who might be able to assist us in our search. Not only did she confirm information we already had but she gave us the name of a town where we may have roots to and it is only 50 miles NNW of the cottage where we are staying. ( another quick trip before we go Friday). We came back down grabbed Geoff and went to join the others.

As we only had limited time we decided to grab a "Hop on Hop off" tour bus and headed to the Guinness factory.

 At the Brewery on St James Gate we learned all about the brewing of Guinness, the history of the plant

 and then we went up to the top of the plant and had a free pint of this blessed mother's milk. As Holly doesn't drink beer and Beth only wanted to taste the brew, I was left with the unenviable task of downing the extras.

A view of the Wickslow Mountains from the Gravity Bar 7th floor Guinness Tower

 A Quick stop at the Guinness Shop for some souvenirs and we were on our way.

Next stop was the Viking exhibition near Christ Church.

 The vikings were in Ireland as early as 810AD. Little known fact Vikings were not all "sea pirates" many were colonists becoming farmers and tradesmen in their new lands. Another fact, there is nothing recorded anywhere in the world that indicates the Vikings ever wore horned helmets.








After going through the display we hopped on the bus for the full tour.

During this time the rain had stopped so we went up to the open air deck of the bus.

 We travelled the city, in and out of mist and showers taking in the sites. We finished the tour and walked up to Temple Bar for dinner.

Our waiter was a grumpy old man who really didn't want to serve us. His service was great, the food was fabulous and the waiters floor show was funny and entertaining even if he didn't mean it.

From Temple Bar we walked back to the train station and headed home. We took a quiet drive home and saw a cow in the middle of the road this time instead of sheep. Pulled into the cottage a little after 10 pm a long 12 hour day.

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