Eire, Adventure Holiday, Day 1

"In Dublin city, where the girls are so pretty..."

After a long, yet seamless flight over the ocean, we were allowed to rest in the spa area of our hotel while our room was being prepared. No complaints from us. It was quite heavenly, until the children of the hotel woke up and began to rumpus.

This bathroom en suite and breakfast were worth the wait

My love of chocolate pastries, coffee, and decadent yogurt sent us on a walking tour of Dublin the rest of the day. We found our way to the train station and took the DART into the city by way of the sea.

Taking a bracing walk along the Irish Sea. Beautiful rocky beaches.

Historical mosaics along the DART plats help one remember the rich history everywhere

Gorgeous artful details everywhere in Dublin, so commonplace that this pub sidewalk was covered with the day's garbage.

This stained glass was in a cafe. This was the view from our cafe table when ordering ham and cheese toasties (grilled cheese without the butter) and crisps for lunch.

Celtic patterns everywhere

Buskers and street performers on Grafton Street...we heard guitars and bagpipes and rock bands just strolling city streets

Trinity College Bell Tower...love the sounds of bells throughout the city

Completely lost in the wonder of the old library. The smell of ancient books. An ancient harp. Seeing the Book of Kells (illuminated Celtic manuscript of the Gospels on vellum from the 800s). Fascinating display on how books were made by hand starting from scraping hairs off leather and meticulously calligraphied and illustrated with symbolism, then hand-stitched, glued, and bound.

Celebrating one thousand years 1014-2014... Putting history into perspective

On the same block you might see

A bank, a pub, a sweet shoppe, a chocolatier...and oh look! Dublin Castle

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Beautiful spring is in the air (achoo!)

My love of ironwork

Rounded doors

...and my fun husband!