It’s Saturday & we have a busy day & night planned!
On the road again, we’re off driving through Sally Gap. Getting into the countryside, it’s very foggy today & I love fog! We’re on a quiet, mountainous road & I think hey everyone… let’s just stop, get out & enjoy the fresh crips air!
Everyone’s keen & soon we’re all having fun again. Taking photos in the middle of the road, being silly, a couple of cyclists pass us & give us a friendly wave.
Another bit of driving, another spot to stop and this time Newton attempted to fly his drone, but suddenly the wind picked up & “Dronie” was struggling (yes, I have a pet name for the Drone😉)
More winding roads, more countryside, more stops to make, pictures to take, memories to make.
And then we arrive at… Guinness Lake! Wow!
Imagine a body of water, lake/dam/river completely black. If you can’t imagine, take a look at some of the pics, I hope I did it justice! 😉
Nestled between the sweeping mountains of Wicklow, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
Nicknamed by the former owners of Guinness estate. Not named because its actual Guinness beer flowing through haha!
It’s official name is Lough Tay, or correctly Irish; Loch Té meaning “tea lake”.
Another opportunity for flying Dronie, this time with much more success. We explored the downward hill (carefully) and when I sat down, I felt so many emotions.
Gratitude, awe, personal achievement, etc. When Carmen came to sit with me, I was explaining to her how I was feeling & suddenly I was crying. Too many emotions to handle at once I guess. I remember thanking her for inviting & welcoming us, affording me this opportunity to experience this beautiful part of the world. How special is this?! Imagine how special this friendship feels to me, now more than ever.
Next stop? A bakery! You may remember I confessed we’re carb addicts? Well, this bakery we saw on Paul Hollywood’s City Bakes. Firehouse Bakery. A cosy yet buzzing little café in the quaint little town of Delgany, Wicklow
Known for their award-winning Batch bread, by the time we arrived, they were sold out! Newton & I struck up a conversation about where we’re from, how we knew about their bakery, giggling about how the ladies were star struck by Paul Hollywood visiting. And it must have been our genuine love of bakes (and friendliness 😉) that made this kind lady offer up her own bread – the actual last of the “batch of the day”! Such a warm & fond memory of Irish kindness.
They have a window seat looking into their baking prep area. We could have sat & watched them for hours (with plenty coffees & probably too many pastries) but we had more places to be! Instead, we bought some goodies to take home.
We needed time to freshen up & dress up for an evening out!
And make time for antics, of course 😉
Dinner and a show, we had no idea what was waiting for us 😀 Another little road trip, this time at night to Johnnie Fox’s
A traditional pub up in the Dublin mountains of Glencullen. Some narrow, winding, uphill roads, which made us nervous about coming back after midnight… haha we’re probably getting old 😉
Couple different spots inside & a covered outdoor area with outdoor heaters.
Our spot… was the main dining hall where we’d get to watch some traditional Irish dancing! It’s called the Hooley Show.
There was a band playing live Irish music, interacting with the crowd.
We were graced with the exceptionally talented performer – Aimee Farrell Courtney, one of the world’s leading female Bodhran players. Google that, trust me it’s worth it. Or wait, just click on this LINK 😉 You’re welcome!
The service was great, attentive & friendly. Drinks flowed easily, my starter arrived & I nearly died! It was the biggest portion of fresh mussels I’ve ever received… and as a starter! But, mussels was a must while in Ireland & boy did I polish them off… long after everyone else 😐
In fact, mains were arriving & I had to make space for my second course while finishing my first! And I call myself a foodie… shame. But I was distracted. The ambience, the sounds, chatter, hustle & bustle from the bar, the laughter, the accents. Which leads me to another highlight of this night.
Carmen & I decide to visit the ladies room & I get up from the table, I motion to Newton to watch my bag I was leaving on my seat.
To our surprise, a guest at the table next to us pipes up in Afrikaans, our 2nd language back home …
“Julle hoef nie dit hier te doen nie” And it had us all in stitches because we all knew what he meant.
Translated; You don’t have to do that here!
Back home, we worry about leaving our personal belongings unattended & always ask someone to “watch our stuff”.
We broke into a fun conversation, exchanging pleasing familiarity, laughing about how different life is in Ireland, discussing how we all ended up in the same space. It was a special surprise.
Oh… spotted in the bathroom… haha…
But the best was up next.
The dancers have arrived & the lights are being dimmed. As I sat watching & cheering, I again felt that overwhelming sense of gratitude & joy. To be here, to be experiencing this beautiful culture and to be doing so with people I love 😊
The young girl dancing with the adults was simply adorable, her little attitude on stage was hugely entertaining. Everyone knew she was the star!
The adults though, were just as impressive. Phew, the amount of stamina they have… talent, grace, energy all rolled into a package to entertain us with traditional feet kicking, knee bending, spinning, twirling dancing! What a hoot!
Today’s itinerary is packed full, so we can’t wait to get out the door! Back on our bustrip into Dublin city. We arrive on the bustling O’Connell Street Upper. Earlier than yesterday, so lots more & different to see. Back over the Liffey using the Ha’Penny bridge, we take a side street we haven’t used in the past two days – because we’re exploring of course 😊
So often Newton and I get lost together on our journeys, (even in Cape Town finding off-the beaten-track spots!) but we always laugh about it & see it as an adventure. I will usually be the first one to panic, but he’s had his fair share of “Oh shit we’re lost” moments haha!
After 12 years together, it’s now a standing inside joke.
Strolling through what could be considered alleys more than roads, we moved between main streets & found some cool buildings & little shops. But not too distracted, as we had our first touristy stop ahead.
A visit to Mr Oscar Wilde!
We were getting good at navigating with Google maps, but also just being aware… spotting street signs etc. Walking along, what seemed to be a business district, people sitting at cafes with laptops, suited up folks walking around. It felt nice not to be one of them, we were on holiday 😀
Turned a corner & spotted the memorial. There was a bus stop right outside the Merrion Park entrance, but I’m glad we didn’t use the bus, rather walked the streets & saw Dublin from a different perspective. There was tourist hop-on/off busses, usual commuter busses too.
It must have been a guided/private tour, a man was talking to a couple about the history of Oscar Wilde & the monuments we see. Nice! Except, this asshole was taking up all the space… yes, in an outside garden (I’m really rolling my eyes hard!) He was actually leaning on the statues that we and others, were trying to get to & take photos of. Urgh… no matter where you go you will come across selfish dickheads!
Anyway, after some staring at him & trying to take pics over and around him hahaha, he seemed to get the message & moved away. There were marble slates with the writing of Oscar Wilde, apparently in his own handwriting. Cool!
Then we ventured back out into the streets of Dublin. We walked past the Department of Taoiseach of Ireland – government building that looked like a palace, where a news crew was filming outside. We navigated to the Dublin branch of the company Newton works for… went inside but couldn’t get into the offices without an escort… and he didn’t know anyone personally, so goodbye.
Down another street, we walked past a stunning ivy-covered Georgian building with a red door popped in the middle. So beautiful. This was home to the gorgeous Grayson restaurant. I think there used to be a branch of the Bank of Ireland, since it was written on the far end of the building… in gold!
Crossed the street to find another statue, founder of the United Irishmen and a leading figure in the fight for Irish independence from British rule – Wolfe Tone.
Statue of Wolfe Tone
And now we found ourselves at the other end of St Stephen’s Green. Things are starting to look familiar, which just boosts our confidence for more exploring. Through many more streets, busy main streets, quaint side streets, we decided to stop for a treat at Murphy’s Ice-cream
The server was so much fun, pleasant & welcoming, but making it very difficult for us to choose a flavour of ice-cream! Finally, we were persuaded. We each settled for two scoops. Newton had Irish sea salt + Lemon Curd. I chose Irish bread flavour + chocolate Irish whiskey. Ice-cream nirvana!! 😀 After a chat about where we’re from & where we’re headed next, he offered to take photos for us. They have a spot in the store especially for tourists & anyone wanting to boast on social media about this spot!
Ice-cream before lunch is always a good idea 😀
Down the street we stroll with our scoops, just as we finish, I spot a homeware, “this-and-that” kinda store. Oh boy… my kryptonite 😐 Yes, there were many things in this two-storey store that I convinced myself I “must have” but settled on just one item. A cute baguette bag 😀
I confess, we are gluten, carb, wheat bread addicts. Which works well with the coffee addiction haha!
Next; Dublin Castle. Up a steep hill, we found ourselves amid an enormous crowd of tourists. The castle itself, was mighty and impressive. But we didn’t go inside, decided to skip. I was excited to go to the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRPAHY for the 13th edition of Ireland’s international festival of the most comprehensive overview of the history & practise of Photography in Ireland to date. Entry was free, which is always a bonus.
We had to leave any recording devices at the reception before we could enter the exhibition.
I admired the photography; we enjoyed the exhibition with no time limit, but if I’m honest… underwhelming. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wanted more. Don’t misunderstand, the images were thought provoking & some even raw. They showcased life in Ireland, past & recent.
Time for lunch! We decided to walk around & pick a spot spontaneously. No, I think we followed our noses because we ended up in PittBrosBBQ Restaurant.
I’m not religious but can appreciate preserved works of art & transcripts rich in history from “those days” It’s a self-tour, but very systematic. Once you enter, you are smacked with ooh’s & ah’s. Ancient drawings fascinated me, the intricacy, the symbolism. An illuminated manuscript created by Scottish and/or Irish monks, the book illustrates the four gospels of the Christian New Testament – in Latin! I did two years of Latin in high school, far from enough to understand any of it 😐
I can understand why it’s dubbed Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and one of the most famous artefacts in the world.
As this tour comes to an end, you walk up stairs and into bookworm, architectural utopia!! Enter, the Long Room. A beautiful old library, filled with heritage, housing manuscripts and books some of which are still used by professors and students – under strict supervision. A working library since 1732! :O The literature is regularly restored, books are marked with tickets next in line for restoration. The entire collection of books is cut off from the public – a really good idea if preserving such history!
Oh, the smells in this library. Transported me to childhood, when books for school projects were still a thing & you had to visit the library for research. Yes, I’m giving away my age. Never mind, it’s a sensory memory I cherish. And in this moment, in this beautiful library, I’m glad I had those experiences as a child.
The Long Room was adorned with busts of all the famous literary greats. Socrates, Plato & Newton to name a few! We spent so much time here. Aside from trying to capture the moment by so many shots clicked, I sat on a bench in the middle of the room & just absorbed. I watched people, admiring this space just as I was. Right here, right now, we all have this one admiration in common. No matter how we look, where we come from or how we speak.
I watched Newton (my guy, not the bust 😉), I wouldn’t describe him as a literature enthusiast haha, but could see how impressed he was. Enjoying taking photos from every angle. Beautiful staircases, gorgeous dark wood archways, stunning displays of millions of books behind rolling ladders.
When we finally had enough, & I couldn’t pose for another pic 😐 we went downstairs & it was a world of souvenirs. So clever, I thought! You have to go through this shop to get to the exit. Of course, you will browse & be tempted. Well, we fell for it! After probably a half hour, we were both in the queue with something to take back home.
Back on the streets of Dublin, we head to Grafton Street. We have a plan! SHOPPING!
Yes, both of us😉
Yesterday, we walked through an indoor market named George’s Street Arcade selling souvenirs, trinkets, art, clothing, accessories… which brings me to the point of wanting to return today, for a beautiful pendant I saw at a silver jewellery kiosk – Doyle Design Dublin. I bargained with myself, spoke a thousand words to the lovely, patient saleslady. She was enjoying conversation about where we’re from, what Cape Town is like, what the Irish folk think about our country & city. Then, either from boredom, impatience or just sheer love, Newton announced “we’re taking it, please wrap it for her” and bought it for me. What a guy, I think he loves me loads haha! 🙂
Gifts for family, gifts for ourselves, gifts for our hosts! Carrolls Irish Gifts is basically everywhere, so we chose them. Yesterday, while window shopping, I saw a stunning Irish hoodie. When I went home, I was talking about it & both Warren and Newton said, “you have to get it!” How can I argue? 😉 So, I did 😀
Newton bought himself a beautiful green Irish pee-cap, like really, green! But he rocks it 😊 We laughed when we realised, well… we can’t buy Carmen & Warren Irish souvenirs, they live here haha! We thought, they were so wonderful buying the Nespresso machine, we were drinking up all the capsules… so let’s get them more & different capsules 😀 (But… there was a back-up plan too!)
Oh my word, do you think we could find this frikkin Nespresso shop? One of the few times Google maps didn’t help 😐 We probably passed it a couple times, but eventually found it down a side street. Not being familiar with Nespresso, we thought the shop & purchasing style was very fancy! You had to select your sleeve of capsules, take it to a self check-out, drop the capsules into a shaft, swipe or tap to pay & out pops a bagged purchase….whaaaat? Where are the leprechauns!?
While searching for the store, we passed a very long line outside a donut shop – The Rolling Donut. On our way back, we decided to get some to take home for us all to enjoy after dinner. Think about these flavours; Ferrero Roche, Coffee, Blueberry Cheesecake, Apple Crumble…Boy was it a hit! Happy faces all round.
Today heading back to our bus stop, we decided to take a different route, explore some more while heading home. You can feel the energy change later in the afternoon, or early evening (because it’s so light out I get confused with time!) Tourists are getting fewer, local professionals are taking over, pubs are getting louder. Coming across the Liffey (river) I felt like I was in New York! Haha! Never been (bucket list for sure!), but what I’ve seen on tv about the busy streets, is what’s right in front of me.
Since today is our last day exploring the city, we decided to pop into a coffee shop on O’Connell Street Upper – Cafe Nero. Newton ordered a mini carrot cake & a brownie for me. No judging please, I know we have a bag full of donuts, but calories don’t count when on holiday… especially when you average 20k steps a day!
There we sat at the window bar (our favourite spot in a café) watching the world go by while discussing & recapping our day. It’s only the end of today & already we’re giggling about memories we just made! One thing we agreed on, was how much we appreciated this opportunity. To sit where we are, after where we’ve been, considering where we come from, how much it took for us to be here… and just be! Here!
The cookies weren’t great, the coffee was done so off we went for a walk from O’Connell Street to Beresford Place to catch our Bus Éireann back home.
However, to my surprise, mister had one last stop along the way! Fun! A couple of dodgy looking side streets later, we were at Sports Direct a massive store with everything sports related. If I wasn’t tired, I probably would have bought sneakers I didn’t need. While sitting on a bench waiting for Newton to find what he needed, I enjoyed one of my favourite pass times… people watching. Damn! Some of these shoppers were ripped! Women in Ireland loooove tights! Like yoga tights. Tight, tight tights… this was odd, to me haha! Not a common sight back home…
And we’re off… this time for real heading to the bus stop. Once again enjoying the trip back, it was different because we both knew it was the last bus trip leaving Dublin city. Peace out, you were great!
Back home, poor Warren got an ear full again. I say that, but he really seemed to enjoy our stories & experiences. He scolded us for buying more coffee pods haha, such a great host. After dinner, while waiting for Carmen to return from work, I was packing goodies away, journaling, looking over pics in the bedroom… when I head the most amusing sounds ever! Warren & Newton were watching stand-up comedy on Netflix & they were crying with laughter! By the time I stopped laughing at their laughter & wanted to catch some of it on video, it was past the peak of entertainment, but I did catch some 😀 My heart smiled, hearing Newton so happy & relaxed. And seeing Warren relax after work enjoying Newton’s company😊
Carmen’s back! Yay! More opportunity for me to talk about my day haha! However, we can’t get passed our excitement for tomorrow – Friday! They’re taking us on a road trip! Into the country…
So do come back next week when I share more adventures & photos of our travels. These are such special memories & I’m so glad I still remember so much ❤
lots happening up there 