My father came back from World War 11 in very poor health. His doctor told him, drink a pint of Guinness each day and it will do you more good than my giving you pills.
We used to go to Ireland each spring so he could fish for trout. We stayed at a farm house in the south which had a river running through the property, and then in the evening, we went to the local pub (public house ) for an excellent dinner and enjoyed the locals singing and playing in the band. There are an estimated 11,000 pubs in the Republic of Ireland with 1,000 in Dublin alone. I haven't been in one I didn't enjoy.
Two hotels we loved in Dublin are the Fitzwilliam, and the Merrion. Good locations, and great restaurants.
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You must go on a pub crawl. There are several types of pub crawls in Dublin. Your hotel concierge can book one for you. I like the musical tour, and two professional musicians lead you to enjoy the most lively pubs. You drink a little, they play a little, and in between tell you about the history of Irish music. Tour takes two and a half hours, nightly from May to October, and on weekends during the rest of the year.
A must, is to take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. One of the highlights of the building, spread out over four acres, is the seven story glass atrium, cleverly designed in the shape of a pint glass. Glass walled elevators bring visitors on a delightful journey through the past, the present, and the future of one of the world's greatest beers. Floor by floor, the ingredients, process, time, craft and passion that goes into every pint is revealed. Ten million glasses of Guinness are consumed daily in more than 150 countries around the world and in Ireland, one in every two pints consumed is Guinness. At the end of the tour, you will have a complimentary pint, and enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of Dublin from the rooftop bar. It's fun , and its the country's No.1 visitor attraction.
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I would take a week's tour, there are several great companies to choose from who offer small groups at a good price, then have a few days in Dublin at the end of the trip . Petrol is $10.00 a gallon, so renting a car isn't the cheapest way to explore the land.
I am going to close my eyes, and think I am in Dublin, about to have a smashing plate of fish and chips, and a beer.
Slainte agus go marfaidh sibh an cead - Good health, and may you outlive one hundred years.
Maureen Jones
All Horizons Travel/Frosch
825 Santa Cruz Ave
Menlo Park, Ca 94025
650-961-2340 direct