2017 UK Trip: 17 Dublin, South Ireland - The Fair Metropolitan City...

"Any fool can turn a blind eye but who knows what the ostrich sees in the sand?..." - Samuel Barclay Beckett

(The Icon Factory and Icon Walk, Dublin)

Date: 13 May 2017 (Saturday) 

Route: Holyhead – Dublin 

Distance: Stena Ferry 73 miles (3 hr 15 min) @ £83/2 pax 

We woke up early this morning. We are taking the earliest ferry to Dublin, Ireland. It was a relaxing ferry ride. On board, we had a light breakfast of Blueberry cheesecake and hot coffee. 

At Dublin Port, we went through the Immigration checks and had our passports stamped. From the Dublin Port we took the Bus Stena to town centre which cost us £6 for return trip.

(Early morning walk to the Holyhead Port)

(The entrance from the Celtic Gateway Bridge)

(We were the early birds to arrive)

(Stena Line Ferry boarding pass)

(Our ferry to Dublin, Ireland)

(Our seats in the peaceful Quiet Room)

(It was chilly to the bone on board the ferry

(Arriving at Dublin Port)

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It is on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Its historic buildings include Dublin Castle, dating to the 13th century, and imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. City parks include landscaped St Stephen’s Green and huge Phoenix Park, containing Dublin Zoo. The National Museum of Ireland explores Irish heritage and culture. To visit these attractions we took the bus tour on the Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off bus for £19/pax.

(The Dublin Hop On Hop Off bus)

(Waiting to board the tour bus)

(Dublin is busy with tourists from all over)

(Getting ready for the Dublin city tour)

Founded as a Viking settlement, the Kingdom of Dublin became Ireland's principal city following the Norman invasion. The city expanded rapidly from the 17th century and was briefly the second largest city in the British Empire before the Acts of Union in 1800. Following the partition of Ireland in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State, later renamed Ireland.

(Spire of Dublin behind the statue of Jim Larkin)

(The guide to interesting attractions in Dublin)

(The Famine Sculptures along the river)

(Dublin Wolfe Tone statue)

(The Convention Centre Dublin)

The Custom House Dublin)

(St Patrick Cathedral Dublin)

Dublin is administered by a City Council. The city is listed by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network as a global city, with a ranking of "Alpha-", which places it amongst the top thirty cities in the world. It is a historical and contemporary centre for education, the arts, administration, economy and industry.

(Dublin's River Liffey)

(Father Mathew Bridge Dublin)

(The Westin Dublin)

(Tourists visiting the Guinness Storehouse)

(Dublin is littered with statues with funny nicknames)

(The Dublin Castle)

(The Rory O'More Bridge Dublin)

(The James Joyce Bridge Dublin)

(Ha'Penny Bridge Dublin)

(A river cruise on River Liffey)

(The end of Dublin bus tour)

After the bus tour, to while away our time we visited Dublin Wax Museum for £10/pax. The Wax Museum is one of Dublin’s top attractions, a place for families, individuals and tourists to visit. It is located in the heart of Dublin City Centre.

(The New National Wax Museum)

(Smeagol of Lord of the Ring)

(Holding the Gollum's claws)

(Dedicated to Irish Inventors)

(The Mirror Maze)

(Michael Jackson)

(David Bowie)

The museum brings visitors on a fantastical journey through Irish history, an enchanting wax world, Ireland’s only dedicated tribute to top scientific inventors and all the exceptional life-like figures. The Wax Museum has three floors of discovery, interaction and exhibition.

(Arnold the Terminator - I'll be back)

(Professor Mad-eyed Moody)

(The Superman)

(The Joker)

(The Children Fantasy World)

(Wax heads figures at the entrance)

After visiting the Wax Museum Plus, we went for a leisure stroll at the artists lane at Temple Bar.

The Icon Factory is run entirely by artists and volunteers. It is dedicated to celebrate Ireland’s cultural heritage through the artistic creation of Icons and through displaying these on their sister project, The Icon Walk.

These artworks representing rock stars, sporting heroes, writers, television stars are reproduced and available in various forms in The Icon Factory. Fine art prints, t-shirts, posters and other items bearing the reproduced iconic art are available for sale to support the Icon Walk mission.

(The Icon Factory and Icon Walk at Temple Bar)

(Irish artists can exhibit their artworks here)

(An icon from Irish culture)

(The greatest story ever strolled)

(Set out along the walls of the cobbled laneways)

We took a peek at Dublin's cultural quarter. It is a centre for small arts productions, photographic and artists' studios, and in the form of street performers and small music venues. 

Dublin has a vibrant nightlife and is reputedly one of Europe's most youthful cities, with an estimate of 50% of citizens being younger than 25. There are many pubs across the city centre, with the area around St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street, especially Harcourt Street, Camden Street, Wexford Street and Leeson Street, the location of many nightclubs and pubs. The best known area for nightlife is Temple Bar, south of the River Liffey. The area has become popular among tourists.

(Music Clubs at Dublin Cultural Quarter)

(Visiting the Hard Rock Cafe in Dublin)

(A lively nightlife popular for tourists)

(One of the many hotels around Temple Bar)

(Many tourist focused night clubs)

(Souvenirs of famous people on the wall)

We  had ample time to do some souvenir shopping. Around 7:00 pm we took the Stena bus to Dublin Port to board the 8:00 pm ferry back to Wales and stayed another night in Travelodge Holyhead.

(A hot cup of coffee before boarding)

(Having fish and chips dinner on board the ferry)

       2017 UK: 18 Bangor, Wales👉

👈2017 UK: 16 Holyhead, Wales