Day #1 (part 2) Monday

We headed out on foot after unpacking and explored the city.  We ended up at the Guinness Storehouse and stayed for lunch.  Fabulous food and fabulous pint of guinness --- very much needed break from travel!

Gorgeous flowers abound throughout the city:

A typical view of a street in Dublin:

 Billboards EVERYWHERE advertising the big American football game next Saturday:

 Loads of cool artwork - sculptures and statues:

 Throngs heading in to see Dublin Castle, one of many castles here:

 Huge poster advertising the big game:

 Double decker buses are the way to go here:

 Signs (as in London) warning westerners which way to look when crossing the street:

Bad pic but a sign directing you to the oldest bar in Ireland:

 We entered the Guinness Storehouse and quickly bought tickets at a kiosk:

 And yes, we found a cafe and had a pint:

 The food was outstanding at the 1837 Bar and Brasserie in the Guinness Storehouse:

Sweet potato soup

Flatbread with brie, heirloom tomatoes, arugula:

 Salad with mozzarella, oranges, roasted peppers and anchovies:

 Then we headed to the Gravity Bar to get a 360 degree view of Dublin:

 Here are a few things you can see from the top:

 Selfie from the top:

 It's ALWAYS St Patrick's Day in Ireland!

 They teach you the way to pour a proper pint:

 We then left and toured around Dublin a bit more, walking along the River Liffey:

 One of many quaint bridges in Dublin spanning the Liffey:

 The infamous Ha'penny Bridge:

 The infamous Temple Bar, in ahem - Temple Bar:

 Loads of cobblestone streets throughout Dublin - not many women in heels here!

 Beautiful hotel near ours:

 Crossing the Ha'penny (after changing into a cooler outfit as it was 74 degrees!):

dougbogue

This bridge connects the North with the South of central Dublin over the River Liffey. The cast-iron bridge was built in 1816. It is named for the toll, a halfpenny, which was charged to cross it. Prior to the bridge being constructed, residents of Dublin had to cross the river by ferry.

There are a few Irish Whiskeys on the market:

Here's where we decided to have an early dinner Stone at Rustic - 

perfect meal for two tired, jet-lagged people!

 Unbelievably great drink with elderflower liquor, vodka and grapefruit - perfection!

 Not a large pour for the vodka on the rocks guy - but hey, Belvedere is Belvedere!

 One of the best salads I've ever tasted!

 Doug's burger - a truly gourmet burger at it's finest!

 Musician outside a nearby cathedral that was fab!

 We finally stumble upon Molly Malone (and a few straggler tourists and locals as well)!

 Another beautiful corner - O'Neill's:

That about all for today.  We are going to turn in fairly early and get up very early tomorrow.  We have a private driver taking us to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway - supposed to be some of the most amazing if not THE most amazing sights in Ireland.

Now...off to bed!  Good night!