[mbs slideshow=1]<\/p>\n

Here are some highlights of my trip to Ireland in April of 2009.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Dublin<\/strong>. Reputedly the site of a well that St. Patrick himself used to baptize newly converted Christians, the well has since been filled in by the British and the exact location is unknown (as was told to me by a local passerby who saw me filming).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Front Gate\/West Front of Trinity College: Dublin<\/strong>. Ireland’s most prestigious university, this entrance to the university grounds is probably Dublin’s second most popular meeting spot (next to the “Tart with the Cart”: the Molly Malone statue<\/a>).<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Full Moon: Dublin<\/strong>. After exploring the grounds of Trinity College, I found myself at the corner of Nassau and Dawson Streets with this amazing view of a full moon. It’s funny those little things that you appreciate when you’re traveling.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Malahide Castle: Malahide<\/strong>. Just a short trip north from Dublin is Malahide Castle, an actual residence from 1185 up to 1976. The castle is surrounded by beautifully green grounds and is close to some spectacular views on the coast.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 View Near Malahide<\/strong>. Many tours will take you to the castle then drive along the coast to offer you some incredible views. This is looking south towards Dublin and to the area where both Bono and The Edge have homes. We tried ringing them but they weren’t home.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Temple Bar: Nighttime<\/strong>. Temple Bar is not actually a bar (well it is but that’s not related to the origin of the name), but in this case “Bar” refers to the term for an area near a river, and Temple being the name of the original landowner. Now this area is ground zero for Dublin’s touristy nightlife (for a little more authentic experience head south along St. Great George’s Street).<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Graffiti Festival: Car Park on Francis Street<\/strong>. In a symbol of Dublin’s diverse and creative culture, the city plays host to a number of graffiti festivals during the summer where artists from around the world come to paint and to be treated like rock stars from adorning pre-teens clutching autograph books.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Guinness Storehouse: Old Gate<\/strong>. The Guinness Storehouse is by far Dublin’s #1 attraction, attracting over 4 million visitors <\/a>since opening in 2000. From this giant gate on the east end of the complex you can still see the old train tracks in the road where trains used to depart carrying loads of this classic porter.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 View From Gravity Bar: Guinness Storehouse<\/strong>. Though a little steep in price, the storehouse tour is well worth the price once you see the 360-degree view of Dulbin from the Gravity Bar atop the factory. Shaped like a glass of Guinness<\/a>, from a distance the bar represents the head of the beer.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cork Seal: Cork<\/strong>. Cork is about a 4 1\/2 hour bus ride from Dublin and is the country’s second largest city. Located in the southeast section of the island, Cork is also a great springboard to explore the scenic Western Coast.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Downtown Cork<\/strong>. Downtown Cork is dominated by small alleys and pedestrian-only walkways, perfect for exploring when the sun makes it way out.<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 River Lee: Cork<\/strong>. Like Dublin, the River Lee splits the city into two. It eventually leads to Cork Harbour and out into sea.<\/p>\n

13.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Finbarre’s Cathedral: Cork<\/strong>. Named after Cork’s patron saint, St. Finbarre’s Cathedral is Cork’s Protestant cathedral and has been around since the 7th century.<\/p>\n

14.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cork Courthouse: Cork<\/strong>. I was told these steps were a popular hangout on St. Patrick’s Day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[mbs slideshow=1] Here are some highlights of my trip to Ireland in April of 2009. 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Dublin. Reputedly the site of a well that St. Patrick himself used to baptize newly converted Christians, the well has since been filled in by the British and the exact location is unknown (as was told […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2049,2562,6,2573],"tags":[333,224,339,223,336,337,340,334,338,335],"yoast_head":"\n