Road Tripping | Ireland Days 6-7

Dublin

From Wicklow, it was the Irish capital that we spent the following two nights. We didn’t do that much on the first day, but the second day was a lot busier – which is why I’ve grouped the days together.

Following a friend’s recommendation, we left Druids Glen and stopped at Powerscourt en route. We travelled with our friends Alex and Alex who were also spending the night in the same hotel as us. There was so much to see, including a house and gardens – but we were there to see the waterfall, which is the largest in Ireland. I wasn’t able to get too close, as it was very rocky and uneven, but from a distance, it was spectacular – and everyone else managed to make their way to the foot of the falls.

Today we walked 11km.

The following day, we were quite touristy – getting tickets for the Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus. I always find these methods perfect for exploring cities, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them, or want to see a lot in a short space of time. Most tours offer 24 hour and 48 hour tickets, depending on how much time you have to spare. We opted for a day, only got off twice but did the whole route.

The first stop was the Guinness Storehouse for the experience, which was interesting but also so much fun – with plenty of interactive areas. There were five levels to explore and while there were lifts for when I couldn’t manage the stairs anymore, there weren’t many opportunities to sit whilst on the tour. Admission includes a pint of the famous drink at a number of points – so before we left, we made our way to the Gravity Bar. It was incredibly busy, but I managed to grab a seat and take in the 360-degree views, which would have been better on a brighter day! I did offer Ash my ticket so he could have had two pints, but instead exchanged my ticket for a soft drink.

Next, Dublin Zoo called – as it was a year to the day of our first date, which was also at the zoo (Whipsnade). Unfortunately as we arrived, the heavens opened and we weren’t prepared for the elements. Similarly, some of the animals weren’t outside, or in their indoor areas. I was really pleased to see the giraffes and flamingos, but we didn’t get the chance to see everything – because of the time, as well as the weather. I love zoos though and I had a really good time. Phoenix Park, where the zoo is based, is quite a way from the other sights (and our hotel) and we had to ensure we got the bus back before they stopped running. If we return to Dublin in the future, I’d love to spend a day at the park, as the grounds are so extensive – and even re-visit the zoo.

Today we walked 6.9km.

Where we stayed

Charles Stewart Guesthouse –

We spent two nights here and after one of the best night’s sleep on Saturday (at Druids Glen), I followed it up with one of the worst on the Sunday. Our room was a good size, although a little on the basic side. The hotel was undergoing refurbishment during our stay and we were on the ground floor, towards the back – where a lot of the noise could be heard. There were more rooms upstairs, while breakfast was downstairs. The location was good, in terms of walking into the city and also for transport links. However, there was no car park; road parking was expensive and difficult, but we did receive a discount token for the nearby multi-storey.

Love, Lucy xx

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