Welcome to Dublin my literary friends!

I have to admit I didn't take anywhere near enough photos in Dublin, but isn't that a sign of having a fantastic time?

The flight over was a sea of green, from passengers to the host staff, shamrocks galore! Something I encountered for the first time was 'filter coffee' (not to be confused with filtered coffee), whereby the coffee I was served was unfiltered. The act of filtration (as the host advised me several times, due to the look of confusion no doubt plastered across my features!) occurs through the lid of the cup. The coffee, grounds and all, are poured into the cup, and any milk or sugar needs to be added through the little window in the lid. 'Do not remove the lid', the lovely Irish woman repeated for a third time as she handed me the cup. Upon further examination, I understood why. This may not be a subject of fascination for other people, but it was for me, hence the elaborate explanation and all the photographs!

Accommodation for the first night was Hilton Dublin, on Charlemont Place.

A quick tram ride later, and it was time to explore the city! The first item on the agenda was to drink Guinness, of course, so into the first pub we go!

The streets of Dublin were filled with revellers and astoundingly well-behaved ones at that. I couldn't believe that we'd arrived after lunch on the biggest day of the year, and yet people were polite and orderly, despite the teeming crowds. If we'd been in Australia, there is no way people would have seemed that sober over 6 hours into the biggest party day of the year! As it turns out, I was right, everyone was sober! I met a really cool pair of ladies at the Irish Whiskey Museum on day two, and they solved the mystery! Apparently, there was an ordinance on the city that alcoholic beverages were not allowed to be sold until after 12 pm on St Patrick's Day! I couldn't believe it, imagining the riots that would have broken out in Australia if Aussies had been told they weren't allowed to drink for 1/2 the day, on the biggest party day of the year!

Anyway, I digress. A short tram ride brought me to the Festival Quarter, where a celebration of food and music came together in the stunning grounds of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Food vendors occupied the main courtyard and a large stage for musicians and festival-goers to party. After 6pm the children were sent packing (not literally but children weren't allowed back in after dark), and the party began!

I say this like I stayed there partying well into the night! A freezing wind whipped up, and despite the ground temperature being touted as a balmy 11 degrees, the actual temperature dropped to 2. Apple weather, bless its soul, confirmed as much, with that satisfying 'feels like' rating dropping quickly into the single digits the second the sun went down.

Day two saw a hotel shift to Hilton Garden Inn- Custom House, which was perfectly situated for a walk along the sunny banks of the river, where I enjoyed the delightful combination of modern and historic architecture. I particularly appreciated the buildings with historic facades and contemporary installations tucked in behind them. The sun shone down, and the call of the Irish Whiskey Museum was too much to ignore! An hour wait, filled in by making new friends and drinking Whiskey in the newly reopened bar (thanks, COVID), saw the commencement of one of the trip highlights. The tour was worth every penny, entertaining and informative, capped off with four whiskey tasters and a commemorative glass to take home.

What does one do with a sunny afternoon following the equivalent of four drinks all before lunch? Uh, visit the library, of course! Trinity College Dublin has been on my 'todo' list of Libraries for as long as I can remember, and it did not disappoint. What blows my mind is the fact that on ordinary days, the TCD Library is a working library where historians and students access the books for research.

On the way into town that morning, one place caught my eye! Dollard and Co. market and diner consists of a central counter and multiple cuisine kitchens flanking the corners. Highly recommend it if you're looking for something a little different, but also have travellers in your party with a variety of tastes.

As the day came to a close, it was time to return to the hotel and pack for the next day departure.

And thus, the rapid-fire Euro trip concludes! There have been many highlights and many unexpected surprises, but I have to say I had a blast!

x A