The First Day in Dublin

We arrived in Dublin at 7:30 AM as scheduled; went through Customs very quickly and caught a taxi to the Anchor House Bed and Breakfast. Check in there was scheduled for 1 PM, so we dropped our luggage, got our bearings and headed out for a look around.

At the end of the block to the north was Talbot Street and we headed left along it a few blocks and found ourselves on O'Connell Street, looking at the statute of James Joyce on one side and the huge spire on the other. We stopped for a quick lunch and then headed back to the Anchor House to unpack. We had plans for the evening.

We could have walked, but since we were going across the river Liffey we asked our hostess at the B&B if she could call a taxi for us. She gave us the strangest look then just laughed and said. “There's no need for that. Just stick your arm out when you see a taxi coming. If they can't stop fast enough, they'll do a U-turn to get you.” We got to see the infamous U-turn on our first try.

We took a Ghost Tour. Go ahead – laugh! It was fun, and after a long flight we didn't want to do any serious touring or research. It was just the thing to set the mood.

We started at College Green across the street from Trinity College. The tour took us to Kilmainham Jail, all the while telling tales of plague ravaged Dublin. It ended with a drink at the Gravediggers Pub (allegedly the oldest pub in Dublin). Melissa even broke down and took a sip of Guinness at the pub. Then promptly wrinkled her nose in distaste.

When we arrived back at the Anchor House, Melissa noticed the Emergency Exit sign and just had to do an imitation.