WE MADE IT!!

 WE MADE IT:

Arriving so late we decided to take a Taxi to our hotel rather than a bus transport. Just a bit more in cost but given how tired we were it was the best choice. 

I was still awake after checking in and I went to the downstairs pub here at the Blooms Hotel called The Vat House,  nice pub with with live music. A nice way to top off a crazy trip this far

The beer I had sure helped me sleep and sleep we did. We woke up quite late for us at about 0900. 

After cleaning up, we went to partake in our included breakfast here at Blooms Hotel. I must say the variety and quality were great. 


 

                                   The Vat House Pub

                                                              OUR ROOM

After our breakfast, we struck out on foot to find The Sweater Shop. They are having an Autumn Sale and I found a nice shawl collar sweater at a great price. Yes, I purchased a hand knitted Aran wool sweater. 

We walked back to our hotel and dropped off our purchases and took some time to book The Book of Kells experience. 

 

This was a return visit for us and we knew many of the books in the long room had been removed for cleaning. 

So, briefly a bit about the Book of Kells. This manuscript dates to 800 AD. The art work is amazing and pigments were made from local ingredients. 

The Book of Kells was saved by Irish monks from a brutal Viking raid and taken to Kells, Ireland. 

There it was lost and later found and eventually gifted to Trinity College in Dublin. 

You can now view the book and two pages are displayed and changed every 4-6 weeks. 

One highlight for me is a visit to The Long Room. The main chamber of the Old Library is the Long Room; at nearly 65 metres in length, it is normally filled with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books and is one of the most impressive libraries in the world. Currently a conservation project is underway. Still it is a magnificent room and I am mesmerized by the great works this room holds. 



 

One’s Book of Kells experience ends in “The Ugly Red Building”. I found this very inspirational and an excellent bit of interpretation. I will not give it away but this is an EXCELLENT  bit of interpretation. Simply, it reminds one of all the great works that are held in The Long Room and brings the history of the Book of Kells into focus. 



We then started our walk to Grogans Castle Lounge and a quest for the best toasty in Dublin. But first we come to the Molly Malone memorial. 

 

A beautiful statute pays tribute to the fishmonger who walked the streets of Dublin selling cockles and mussels. She was also a prostitute by night. The classic line from the Molly Malone song’s chorus is “Alive, alive, oh” which refers to the freshness of her wares.  Touching the breasts of the statue will bring you 7 years of good luck.

 

 

A toasty (grilled cheese) was had at Grogans and it was excellent. The Special is the one to get - ham, cheese, tomato and onion. The Irish cheddar makes the sandwich. This is a lively, friendly pub and worth a visit.

Back to Blooms we went and decided to explore the local neighborhood. We walked past several pubs and restaurants. 

To my surprise I spied a tattoo shop. Yes, some new ink was obtained to symbolize my Irish/Viking linage. (More on that later)

A dinner of fish and chips was had at the Vat House. We both thought it was rather good with a generous portion, easily spilt by the 2 of us. 

Time to call it a day as I finish up this entry.