Last Day in Dublin

Today is our last day in Dublin and this is the conclusion I have come to after several days in this beautiful country: Dublin isn't quintessential Ireland. Dublin is dirty, industrial, and gloomy. The poor, working class sections take up most of the city, and then the rest of Dublin is a tourist trap. I would describe it as a very international city. I only heard Gaelic but once or twice (a dying langauge spoken by Irish, Welsh, and Scottish), and I rarely even heard that amazing Irish accent. Instead, I heard Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Turkish. Fortunately, we got to see Ireland from coast to coast and I feel like we really made the most of our "Irish" experience. It wasn't until we left Dublin that I really felt that I begin to understand that famous Irish spirit.

From the East Coast when we took the Wicklow Tour to the town of Gwendalough, to the Western town of Galoway where we saw the Cliffs of Moher, and the city of Doolin, I feel like we met and interacted with Irish in the best way possible-and not as the typical "tourist"

Now, that isn't to say that we didn't do the typical "tourist" thing. Today when we got up, we headed to the Guinness Factory and had a great time. An extremely large part of Dublin is taking up by this old brewery, and they way they have the tour set up is facinating. The whole process is amazing as well as the history of how this beverage came to be...Andrew Guinness was so confident in his product that he signed a 9,000 year lease for the factory. Pretty amazing! I am afraid to say this for fear of being struck down but some Irish person, but I don't really care for Guinness, and left the majority of my complimentary pint on the bar. We did get a great 360 degree view of the city from the top of the factory though, as well as some great pictures.

All in all, I have enjoyed Ireland immensely, and am so glad we came and got to experience this beautiful country, but when I come back, I think I will stay outside the city.

Tomorrow, we are waking up BRIGHT and EARLY to catch a ferry to Hollyhead (in Wales), then onto several trains on into London. We should be arriving around 9pm and will check into a hostel for one night until we meet up with the rest of our tour. Wish us luck!

Here is the link to my pictures from today!

Last Day in Dublin Pictures


Cheers :)