Wednesday 16th August

Up early, weather forecast  - heavy rain in most areas, max temp. about 19.

After an excellent breakfast, running late so a very quick 1.5km walk down O'Connell St (a wide avenue with very wide footpaths, attractive Georgian building with chimneys and many chimney  pots on top, colourful displays of petunias in window boxes and around tops of light poles, and heaps of pedestrians), across the Liffy River (more like a canal or drain) and finally arriving at Trinity College to view and gain more understanding of the Book of Kells. A great exhibition in a wonderful building - particularly the Long Room Library.

Then more walking - up the main shopping Mall, down to the Dublin Castle to buy some Heritage Passes then a quick lunch and on to the Little Museum of Dublin for a 'History of 'Dublin in 29 mins' tour. Was OK but definitely not a 'must do'

 A leisurely stroll through St Stephens Green (large beautiful park), down through the Temple Bar area (narrow cobbled lanes with lots of Pubs and eating places- apparently good place for music after dark), across the Ha''penny  Bridge over the Liffy and then slowly up O'Connell St (unlike the 'almost a jog' down  in the morning) to the Castle Hotel, which feels like home after only one day.

 A good day with no rain - had to take the jumper off several times.

First impressions of Dublin - lots of wonderful buildings, plenty of colour, very friendly people, good transport system, almost overrun with tourists - still Summer holidays.