Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  In honour of this holiday, I wanted to share some photos from our trip to Ireland when we went in May of 2010.  We were away for about a week, spending 4 days in London and then 4 days in Dublin.  We loved both cities and can't wait to go back someday and experience more of them and the surrounding areas. 

On our first full day in Ireland, we rented a car and drove to Kilkenny.  We had lunch, viewed Butler Castle, and experience a true Irish day of sun, cloud, rain, and wind.  

We drove back to Dublin via the south road and back up the coast.  We stumbled upon Jerpoint Abbey and were so pleased with what we found.  It had some beautiful carvings and our tour guide was lovely.  Apparently it is quite popular with the German bus tours but we arrived when there were only a few people there so it was really nice. 

The next day we walked around the city and did typical tourist things.  We visited Dublin Castle and learned quite a bit about the English presence in Ireland and the troubles that sprang from that. 

The typical Lady Justice statue is blindfolded because "justice is blind".  This statue at Dublin Castle is not only not blindfolded, but she is facing the courtyard of the Castle with her back turned to the common folk outside of the castle walls.  Our tour guide suggested this was a deliberate slight on the Irish.

From there we went to the Guinness Storehouse and learned to pour the perfect pint. 

River Liffey

Our favourite of the pubs in Temple Bar.

Our hotel.  It looks like it's still there.

Our standard order. 

We also visited the Jameson Distillery.  As with most brewery/distillery tours, nothing tastes better than the drink of choice at the end of the tour.  We had whisky on ice and I was sold.  This has been a staple in our liquor cabinet since this trip. 

And then we met up with my aunt, uncle and cousins!  They were in Dublin at the same time and only by coincidence did our plans match up.  We had dinner with all of them and then hit the pubs with Sean and Emma.  Great memories!

Can't wait to go back someday!