Visit to the Emerald Isle – Dublin

I have just returned from a three day trip on the Boudicca from Liverpool to Dublin. I haven’t been to Dublin for over ten years so was really looking forward to going – and it didn’t disappoint. If you haven’t been then  I highly recommend the tour bus which is commentated throughout. Our guide was hilarious and full of interesting facts as we drove round the city taking in all the sights.

A large amount of the city is owned by Gunniess which isn’t surprising and back in the day gave locals employment. To this day it is exported to 150 countries and brewed in 50. I tried a Guinness and Black and it was surprisingly tasteful. Unlike my colleagues who disappeared in to The Dubliner for several hours me and my room mate visited Trinity College and main shopping areas. One of the most visited areas is Temple Bar which is where you will find the traditional Irish Pubs full of character and live music.

One place I would definitely like to go back to is Phoenix Park which is bigger than Central Park. Here you may see the wild Deer old fashioned lamp posts.Other sights to see are the Papal Cross which is a huge large white cross or The Wellington Testimonial which looks like a smaller version of the Lincoln Memorial.

Ha Penny Bridge over the Liffey- Dublin has over ten bridges over the river Liffey, one design was based on a harp.

The architecture around the city is magnificent which cathedrals being the most popular. The old Victorian houses were lined up in terraces and all had beautiful doors. Towards the top of the houses the windows became smaller as you had to pay tax hence where the saying Daylight Robbery came from.

We were also told about the grave robbers who sometimes came across people who were still alive so they introduced a system where they would tie a string around the body and above around there would be a bell, so if they came round the person could ring the bell and alert they were still alive and this is where the saying Saved by the bell come from. This was all told by the Irish tour guide so it could all be tongue in cheek. I enjoyed the stories all the same.

We also came across the lovely statue of the famous Molly Malone with her story being a lady of the night. If you ever get a chance to go, go as it is a wonderful city with plenty to offer with a fantastic atmosphere.

Emily