ARRIVING IN DUBLIN
As our flight across the Atlantic began descending into the Dublin airport, I was struck by blocks of green. Green fields, neatly regular plots of green, and here and there rows of houses and houses grouped in a circle around a central business district. At least two other international flights arrived about when we did, but getting through immigration only took ten minutes. The wait for our bags was at least 30 minutes, so we were relieved when our bags came down the chute.
As we exited the airport, we noted the very long line of folks waiting to enter. We were told that it could mean several hours in line, so we should get to the airport early when we depart. We will!! The ride to our hotel in the center of the city was about another 35 minutes.
Buildings are all low, no skyscrapers; many are older of gray or beige stone, but marked by front entry doors painted in solid colors. Red, royal blue, pale yellow, emerald green, or even a yellow green. These pops of color add interest to the facades. (No photos yet, but I’m determined to get a few!) And here and there, some stunning new architecture.
Given that it was before noon, our room was not yet ready. We walked through the streets around the hotel including Grafton Street, a main shopping street. Lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars, many with outside seating, in addition to both local and chain stores. It was a cool 60ish degrees. Most people were very casually dressed and wearing fleece or down jackets. Lots of denim jeans and sneakers.
We checked out several lunch possibilities (most opened at noon), and finally decided on Davy Byrnes Bar and Restaurant. We had a very friendly waitress, and our orders of fish and chips (first rate with mushy peas!) for the Chief Penguin and roast chicken over puréed potatoes with peas for me fit the bill.
To round out the day, we spent some time sitting in the very attractive hotel lounge until our room was ready and then went out for another walk.
This time we strolled a bit in St. Stephen’s Green. This park is lovely and a bit like a mini Central Park with flower beds and statutes of historic figures. We will return for a more extensive tour.
We had an early dinner in the hotel’s casual restaurant. We both started with delicate smoked salmon. The Chief Penguin, a connoisseur of such, pronounced it the best he’d ever had anywhere! He then had some whole shrimps in Romesco sauce, and I ordered their classic Caesar salad covered with a blizzard of finely grated Parmesan. We had wines by the glass.
A pair of young women at the next table greeted us, joked when the CP dropped a piece of silverware, and just before they left gifted us with second glasses of wine. A surprising gesture! Overall, we are finding folks here very friendly from service staff to others we have encountered.
Early to bed to be restored for a more active next day!
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
This is especially interesting because IFLA is in Dublin this year and I will be going, spending five days there starting July 24. Thanks for the lovely description.