Although I got a phone call from work, for a last minute change of shift, I still met up with Niamh for lunch and culture with a difference before work that evening. After our lunch in Wagamama's, we strolled across Stephen Green towards The Little Museum of Dublin. The museum tells the story of the city in the 20th Century. The museum is still fairly new, only been launched in 2011, after a public appeal for historic objects, with the generosity of the public generating over 5,000 artefacts today in the collection. The collection shows social, cultural and political history of modern Dublin. The museum is housed within a Georgian building and open every day, usually with an admission fee, however on Wednesday afternoons, they day we went, it was free, courtesy of Johnston Mooney and O'Brien bakeries. The latest addition to the museum, is the exhibition, U2: Made in Dublin, open on the second floor. The exhibition charts the story of the band from 1976 to present day, featuring musical rarities, signed albums, alongside items such as a Trabant car, and even a pack of U2 condoms. The museum was a different and interesting angle of modern Dublin and a must see for everyone.
After visiting the Little Museum, our next outing was to the dark spooky vaults of St Michan's church, which located in the vicinity of Jameson Distillery in Smithfield. Admission normally 5 euro, we got the concession price of 4 euro. The church is built on the site of an early Danish chapel from 1095, however the current structure dates from reconstruction in 1686, and is still possibly the only parish church on the north side of the Liffey surviving from a Viking foundation. Although the church exterior might seems dull and unimpressive, the interior boasts an organ dated 1727, on which Handel composed his Messiah. The vaults contain many mummified remains, which due to the walls containing limestone, has kept the air dry, creating ideal conditions for preservation. Among the preserved remains are the 400 year old body of a nun, the Shears brothers, Henry and John, who took part in the 1798 rebellion and a six and a half foot man popularly believed to have been a crusader, a body with its feet and right hand severed. One of the most unusual yet surreal things, I've ever done, was shaking the left hand of the crusader mummy. Our tour guide had us all in stitches, describing the history of the church and its vaults. This quirky, hidden away attraction is well worth a visit.
To relax after work that night, following in my mother footsteps, spent a while entering competitions online. Luckily enough, the next day, I won tickets to a movie preview and pre-screening party. So the night of the preview, +Niamh and myself went along to Thunder Road Cafe for the party, where there was free cocktail food and surprisingly for everyone an open bar, sure a jar or two had to be had. The preview itself, was for +Ride Along being hosted for by +UniversalPictures Ireland. The movie itself was quite funny, and sure what a better way to spend a Tuesday evening.
After our weekly visit to the Bingo and show, not sure if it was stupidity or pure +Oscars excitement, but managed to stay awake and watch the Oscars live, including being one of those that helped break twitter over Ellen's selfie. So after about 2 hours sleep, I begun the long journey home, despite the lack of sleep, it was great to see everyone and spend few days home. I some how managed while updating my ipad, dealing with Apple over an iTunes issue and general messing about, I finally got the famous new iPhone working myself. I don't think I've screamed or jumped that much in years. It was a reason to celebrate, like I ever need a reason of course.
To finish my few days off, Niamh and me hopped on a Coast and Castle tour run by +Dublin Sightseeing. We managed to get it on Living Social for 9 euro each instead of 24. After a nice breakfast at Flanagan's for 5 euro, we called in next door to Dublin Bus, collected our tickets and jumped on our bus for the 11 am departure. Our tour guide Tom, was one hell of a character, telling us unusual stories of Dublin and singing en route up the North Coast to Malahide Castle. As part of the ticket, we got a 45 min private tour of one of Ireland's oldest castles, which is set on 250 acres of parkland, and was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973. After exploring the grounds of the castle, we went for coffee in Avoca, sitting outside near the walled gardens, where we noticed a beautiful peacock and robin. The day was turning into such a relaxing, scenic one and the beautiful weather which wasn't promised, didn't hurt either.
After departing Malahide, the bus then begun it's journey along the coast from Malahide itself, towards our next port of call Howth, passing through Portmarnock, of course home to 2 famous golf courses and a Napoleonic Martello tower. Just before entering Howth, we saw Ireland's Eye in the distance, which is a small uninhibited island off the coast and we were able to see, the ruins of another Martello tower. We were barely off the bus, when we got to see 3 playful seals in the harbour, which neither Niamh nor myself seen any of our previous trips to the harbour. During our stop in the harbour, the sun came out to play, and were got a better view of Ireland's eye whilst sitting on the harbour wall. We decided to walk along the pier at the other side of the harbour, where we got amazing views of Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. To finish off tour and the North Coast, we continued our descent back towards the city, driving through Sutton, Clontaff and North Bull Island, a Natural Reserve and Bird Sanctuary, connected to the mainland by a wooden road bridge. Along the way, our guide Tom, indicated some beautiful spots and views of the Irish Sea, Dublin Bay, Dublin and Wicklow Mountains and of the city itself in the distance, highlighting the old Poolbeg power station and the Aviva. All the while, entertaining us with his stories and singing. As we departed this tour bus, we hopped onto the hop on/ hop off bus, as a free city loop tour was included, as well as a ticket for a free Pat Liddy's walking tour, to use at a later date. To top off such a nice relaxing day, we finished it with dinner and drinks, which ended up being such a random funny night.
To enjoy the sudden change in the weather, I revelled in the sun with a drive out to Dun Laoghaire Pier before heading up towards Glencullen. To continue enjoying the sun, the next day Niamh and myself, went for a nice leisurely cruise along the Liffey. We were lucky to get a discounted voucher for Liffey River Cruises on Living Social for €9 for both of us, instead of 28 euro. We hopped onto the Spirit of the Docklands boat for the 3.15 cruise, on Bachelor's walk. The tour with guided commentary, glided under Dublin's historic bridges and gave an unique view of iconic buildings and lasted for approx. 45 mins, which travelled towards the O2 and Grand Canal Docklands areas, before the journey back to the boarding point. The tour was a fun, unique and interesting view of Dublin and it's Docklands.
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