Ireland’s Coasts from North to South - Day #4 - Dublin, Ireland

I set an alarm for 6:15 am. We had breakfast in the hotel just after 7 am. Sharon and I both had omelettes.

I had asked the hotel to call us a taxi for 8:45 am, but they had a problem getting one to show up. I ended up getting an Uber.

We had 9:45 am tickets for a tour of Kilmainham Gaol. This is one of Dublin's most popular and powerful historical experiences. Opened in 1796, this former prison played a pivotal role in Irish history. It housed high-profile political prisoners and leaders of Irish nationalist uprisings. Most notably, the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed in the prison yard.

The tickets are really hard to get; when they come available 28 days ahead of time, they sell out in a couple of minutes! I enjoyed the tour more than Sharon...

After the tour, we took a taxi to the National Gallery of Ireland. When we travel, we are always searching for paintings by Caravaggio. The gallery includes Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ.


There were a number of other significant works by Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Diego Velázquez, Titian, and Thomas Gainsborough. We both enjoyed and were impressed by the collection more than we expected.

Walking back towards the hotel, we had a late lunch at Bewley's Grafton Street. Sharon had a Super Salad, while I had an open faced crab sandwich.

The afternoon temperature reached 75.

After a short afternoon nap in the room, we got cleaned up for dinner.

We met a friend of Sharon's brothers and his partner for a pint at the Kehoes. Kehoes Pub on South Anne Street is one of Dublin's most famous, historic, and authentic traditional Victorian pubs. Located just off Grafton Street, it is celebrated for preserving its 19th-century charm and serving what many locals consider one of the best pints of Guinness in the city. We had a nice two hour visit with them.

It rained of us as we walked a short distance to Peploe's St Stephens Green for dinner. This restaurant is a classic wine bistro and restaurant set in a former bank vault on St. Stephen's Green in central Dublin. Named after the famed Scottish Colourist artist Samuel Peploe, it is known for its warm atmosphere, art-covered walls, and refined European dining. The restaurant features deep-red leather banquettes, reclaimed oak floors, and large murals, giving the basement space a clubby, inviting feel that blends European bistro culture with classic Dublin hospitality.

We split Warm Gougeres [30 Month Aged Comte, Iberico Jamon] and Smoked Aubergine [Pomegranate, Tahini, Sumac, Yogurt & Fried Lentils]. For entrees, Sharon had Rick Higgins Prime Irish Beef Fillet [Cooked in Beef Tallow, Potato Rosti, Pickled Red Peppers, Green Sauce], while I had a vension special.

It wasn't raining as we wandered back to the hotel. We crashed just before 10 pm.

Tomorrow, we join up with the Road Scholar tour and head to Belfast. We will be back in Dublin for a few days at the end of the month.