Dublin - Back to áth Cliath (which is Dublin in Gaelic)

It was raining in Galway this morning. Dave told us yesterday it often rained due to it being on the west coast with the ocean right there. We wandered down into town, along the Corrib River, which is flowing quite rapidly, past the market being set up...

..and to a cute little place for breakfast. This place was established in 1876 so they've had plenty of time to learn how to make a good coffee - and they can!

I want to get a tin whistle so in to a music store - there are music stores everywhere in Ireland, which makes sense as it is such a musical country! 

Had a look in a fabulous book store...

Into Thomas Dillon's where the Claddagh rings originated. They have a little museum section and the father/daughter combo gave us a bit of information on them - apparently if the heart is facing you, it is taken - whether by marriage, engagement or just in love. If the heart faces away from you, it shows that your heart is free for the taking.

Lovely little shop, didn't buy one, though, as nice as the shop and the Dillons were, I don't like Claddagh rings...

Past Oscar Wilde... Obviously I'm impressed by this...

Sad thing is, I actually was!

Then it's time to check out and head off, back to Dublin.

It's a long, straight road. We had put a bit of petrol in the tank but as we were driving, it dropped really low and the light went on. Bit of a scary moment as we got off the freeway and it took a bit of time to find a petrol station, but all was okay - we had had visions of us trudging up country roads, looking for petrol!

Through a couple of tollways - they charge 1.90 and we did wonder how much money they make from everyone just throwing in two euros, as we did!

Into Dublin and our gorgeous hotel! It's a converted schoolhouse and is just fabulous. It began life in 1859 and open the doors to the school in 1861. We are in the Oliver St John Gogarty room. According to Google, he was a poet, author, otolaryngologist, athlete, politician and well-known conversationalist - that's quite the resume!

Time to wander back into Dublin for the last time. And it's sunny, so obviously it does only rain in Galway! It's funny, we were only here for three days but we feel quite at home here. Some random shots - Molly Malone, the signs I like and the street lamps Alison likes.

Then back to sit in and relax before having dinner in the bar, which was once a school room, see we're sitting upstairs...

 ..before heading out again. For our last night in Ireland, we're going to...

Vietnam!

It's only a 10-minute walk from our hotel down to the waterfront and the Bord Gais theatre - quite a spectacular place.

Beautiful theatre, we up in the gods coz it was pretty much sold out!

Fabulous show - exceptional cast, excellent staging, just brilliant - except for that stupid Solo Saxophone song, that could go...

Short walk back to the Schoolhouse and a cup of tea and ginger biscuit to finish the night. Perfect trip to Ireland!