We arrived

Katie and I landed in Dublin safely and are loving it, even if it is MIGHTY fresh - gloves and beanie are getting quite a work out, I am even craving a balaclava. The city is so beautiful, clean and alot less people than London - we are loving the absence of the pedestrian shoulder-charge!

Our passport was stamped by John Monaghan and we had a Paddy standing next to us at the baggage terminal - bless the trusty Irish names. The hostel is clean and centrally located, though the egg-yolk yellow paint job is a little harsh on the eye. We are loving the accents and let me say the boys are alot easier on the eye than the paint job! Katie and I had dinner at a gorgeous pub - we devoured some good Irish stew - home-cooked style food is a wonderful thing that we farewelled all too long ago, it was so good to get a taste of it again. Big day planned tomorrow so stay tuned for our tales...


Doing Dublin


We noticed in the light of day that our hostel is nestled between a Carmelite priory and a funeral home - we are certainly covered if things go bad. The pedestrian lights here have a red, amber and green person as well as a seconds countdown till when the lights go green to walk - proper efficiency indeed - I shall never knock the mental capacity of the Irish again.

Yesterday our first stop was the Guiness Factory. We missed the bus stop and asked a lady on the street for directions and she told us she was going that way and to walk with her. She chatted to us along the way and asked about our trip and Australia etc. She said it was a shame it was so cold but pointed out that atleast it wasn't raining - this constant wonderful attitude of the Irish is what makes them so endearing - if you could bottle it the world would be a better place.

The factory was great fun and very well constructed. Andrew at the front desk only charged us the student entry fee when I told him my name was Kathleen Frances - bless. Katie and I let loose in the gift shop - Katie's Guiness slippers are a stellar purchase that she will long treasure (they are two huge pints of Guiness in design). I also tried my first ever Guiness - not nearly as bad as I had imagined.

Next it was a long walk in the bitter cold but we soldiered on and made it up the hill to Kilmainham Gaol. Shut in the 1920's, the gaol has been open in a museum capacity since the 60's, and is a very important source of Irish history and the struggle for independence. Our tour guide, Connor, was brilliant and retold the history with passion and animation. This passion of the Irish is such an appealing quality.

Katie and I squeezed in some shopping and browsed round O'Connell Street in the city centre. Much to our dismay there are alot of Americans here and we have been punished with their whiney accents a few too many times, but the wonderful Dubliners certainly overshadow them!Today we got up bright and early and made our way to St. Patricks - good Catholic girls. The cathedral and surrounding gardens are beautiful, but we did veto going inside when we found out it was 5 Euro entry fee - even God has to eat...

Then we looked around Trinity College, the big university in the heart of Dublin, with a very impressive alumni. Got photos with the statue of Molly Malone - an alleged wench who went round selling fishes as the song goes - and then went to the National Museum of Ireland. I farewelled Katie who is back in London as I type this, and made my way to The Dublin Writers Museum. I was in literary heaven! Thank goodness the gift shop was closed - I really could have gone nuts. Off to Belfast tomorrow so stay tuned for travel reports from the north of this wonderful island...

Kate i am at the airport waiting to get on the plane. Will see you back in London on Saturday for CHAVVY BFDAY!!!! Will look at getting the armbands for us see you later sik bitch!!!