Dublin oh Dublin!

So far, Dublin has been my favorite place- Which I knew it would be! The Irish are a welcoming, warm people ready to offer you a Guinness at any moment!

We walked through Temple Bar- the heart of downtown Dublin- with the group and quickly began making friends. We went to a tavern for lunch where I had some amazing seafood chowder and my first Charling.

Our first night, a group of us went to this small pub down the road from our hotel. After a few drinks and introductions, one of the guys decide to buy a round of Irish car bombs for all 17 of us- a pretty hefty bill that he regretted as soon as he sobered up! Definitely a great way to start off the tour!

Today, we took a bus tour through Dublin and learned about the violent past of the Irish. We visited St. Patricks Cathedral and as soon as you stepped inside the doors you were taken back in time. The handcrafted floors with tiles and wooden pews created an unparalleled experience. We were privileged to see the altar boys practicing. Their voices were so angelic, it literally sounded like a choir of angels.

Afterwards, we stopped at Trinity College and walked the historic campus- home to James Joyce. We went to see the Book of Kells as well. The library containing the book was beyond amazing! One step through the door and you could smell the pages filled with history! Looking up, the shelves of books seemed to go on for days.

After our welcome dinner, a group of us went to an authentic pub called Olde Stonehouse. With fantastic cider and classic Irish music, this was the spot! From there we traveled to another pub where the fun continued! Beer, music, and good times with friends! From chit chatting with Australian backpackers to dancing in the streets to the sound of a drum- this was definitely a night to remember!

Tomorrow, trip to the Irish countryside and then the pub crawl!