Dublin - My Feet Ache

Right after I wrote the last blog (and showered)... I was out the door.  The first stop I made was at a place called Lemon known for their crepes and coffee.  There were lots of people sitting outside, so I figured it had to be good.  I ordered a spinach and cheese crepe and it was absolutely delicious, the best way to start my Irish journey.  

Then, I walked down the cobblestone street that our hotel is situated on and ran into Grafton Street. This is a popular pedestrian only street full of cool shops and eateries.  There are performers playing and dancing along the street and they are so talented! I was sad I only brought my big camera out, because my little point and shoot can take videos.  I bought some post cards and then walked to St. Stephen's Green which is a large park.  

I sat on a bench and started writing some of my postcards, while I watched these adorable children play with the ducks in the pond.  I finally sat down and realized... I'm in IRELAND!  I had a huge grin on my face.  

 St. Stephen's green

I noted a bunch of buses lining up outside the park grounds so I asked what it was all about. A nice gentleman told me that for 16euro I could hop on and off these tour buses for the next 24 hours and it takes you all over the city, providing you with education through the loudspeakers about all the stops along the way. I was sold.  The tour was perfect for my first day so I could just see the highlights of the city and decide which places I want to revisit tomorrow.  We whizzed by so many places, but I plan on going back and actually stopping at: 

St. Patrick's Cathedral 

The Guinness Storehouse for a tour 

Old Jameson Distillery for a drink .. (no pic)

Trinity College (the school hosting the conference Jay is here for) .. no pic

I did stop at Kilmainham Gaol (Gaol = Jail).  

West Wing

East wing

 me as an inmate

 Courtyard for hangings and executions

A little background history from my tourist book: The prison was built in 1789, but the material used was sandstone which wept in bad weather, resulting in damp and grim conditions that adversely affected the health of the inmates.  This prison is the biggest unoccupied "gaol" in Ireland.  It is a realistic insight into what it was like to have been confined.  Leaders of Irish rebellions were executed and hung at that prison. We were able to see the couryards where the executions and hangings were done.  We saw the old West wing which is the original wing and then the newer East wing that was built sometime in the 1800s.  It was SO eerie and creepy.  

After visiting the prison I went to Phoenix Park and relaxed in the grass.  Phoenix park is home to Wellington Monument which is an obelisk type of monument.  After that I took the rest of the tour on the bus and made it home.  

I found cool places I want jewelry from and restaurants I want to go back and visit.  For now though, I need a nap.  Jay will be back from his conference soon and I still haven't seen him.  I need to not be dead tired, so I am going to sleep a bit.