Trip Report: Adventures in Dublin
Mar 28, 2000 | 12:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Trip Report: Adventures in Dublin
An Irish Spring!
Christine and I got up early in spite of me being full of Guinness. She's such an angel: Had a morning PEPSI waiting for me when I finally woke up (to the sound of chatty Maids and big vaccumn cleaners roaring.)
We were reminded as we headed out that we had a free Irish Breakfast coming to us. SO back upstairs to a nice dining room with lots of Toast, bottomless coffee or tea (I had milk) a mix of bacon, sausage, pork and beans (which they gave me even after I said I was allergic) some Pataee (SP?) type stuff and mushrooms. Not for those watching cholestrol. Then Christine reminded me by the big cereal table was Frosties (the European name for Tony the Tigers favorite cereal.) I enjoyed that.
We packed a small bag of bottled water and about six Kit Kat Chunky bars (It took me about an hour to make short work of the Kit Kat.) and went for mroe walking: thru the neighborhoods, Temple Bar (which was arleady hopping at noon) the parks, a department store where we browsed linens, lunch of Shephards Pie for Christine and Lasange for myself at a funky place on the north side of town.
One problem: because of the bus strike we thought the locals were taking the tour buses because they were PACKED. We ended up taking a cab to our next destination:
THE GUINNESS BREWPUB!!
THIS IS A *MUST* PLACE TO GO IF WE EVER DO A DUBLIN F-T PARTY! MAYBE RENT OUT THE PLACE FOR A BEER BASH!
Christine said "your brothers Geo1004 and Newself would say they died and gone to brew heaven." (She's starting to know you Flyertalkers like my family!) The Brewhouse a fun place, three levels, one with all the fun Guinness advertising, one level explaining the brewing process and then on the first floor: the Brew house where with your admission you can get two half pints or one full pint of Guinness on the house.
MileCrazy told me they used to give unlimited beer. Now the limit is one Guinness per person. I say this makes a lot of sense, you don't want intoxicated tourists stumbling into traffic!
Christine had one and gave it FOUR PAWS UP!!!
We stopped at the gift shop and I bought a pladded guiness hat and magnets. Christine got a mug for a friend of hers.
The Guinness museum is A FOUR PAWS UP MUST ON any visit to Ireland.
We were too tired to go to the Jamison whiskey tour (christine was going to get a shot glass there) so back to hotel, cat naps, then out on the town to see Dublin nightlife.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS IN THE PUB
At six thirty already streets are crowded and people are in a festive move. Christine and I went to about five pubs before finding out that wasn't so crowded. She then told me she wanted to surprise me by getting me a Havana cigar but forgot the $$$.
This attractive Irish woman named Bree overheard us and said she knew of one tobacco store and then someone at the Shelbourne hotel (a luxury old hotel in downtown Dublin) where we could Cigars. Christine went back to the Hotel for $$$ and Bree was asking me a lot of questions about the states and how she loved Long Island and New Orleans.
Meanwhile I sense this big lurking guy watching me from the other end of the bar and walking over several times looking at me then walking back to his mate.. I later found out it was Bree's boyfriend Emed.
Christine came back with $$$ and the women went off cigar hunting leaving me alone with Emed. He tells his mates "I'll sit next to the American now." I was afraid he was going to deck me for chatting up his girlfriend. He sits down in the bar stool next to me and I was ready to get killed.
Instead, he talked to me about burying three friends in one week and how he really was hurting. He also was feeling no pain. I let him talk and told him everything was going to be ok. He bought Jamison's whiskeys for us and said I looked like I could get buzzed (he used another word I will NOT say here.)
(I seem to attract the drunk people on my travels. Emed though was such a nice guy.)
He then said I was the nicest American he's ever met and thanked me for listening and sharing drinks with him.
So the women came back and said we were going to the Shelbourne for Cigars. Emed said I was his new best mate and Christine said "of course, he's the Catman."
So for the rest of the evening Emed called me "Cat-Mate."
Bree and Emed wanted to take us to dinner. We wanted Irish food. We ended up at Acapulco, a MEXICAN restaurant. (We went to Dublin to have Mexican food... I ended up laughing for 10 minutes.)
The food was good, the company even better.
Christine was impressed I went out with our new friends without hesitation (maybe it was the Jamison whiskey.)
After dinner the women walked ahead of us to the Shelbourne while Emed was touched I invited him and Bree to NYC and promised to show them a good time.
The Shelbourne I believe is where they filmed part of "Circle of Friends" with Minnie Driver. It's a beautiful hotel and the consierge got Christine and Me nice Havanas. I was shocked that Christine also wanted one but she said she a few before in mexico.
Bree and Emed were tired so we said goodbyes and promised to see them soon.
Christine and I went to a pub a few blocks away and lit up our Havanas. Christine was a natural and said she doesn't smoke anything but a Havana. We toasted ourselves with Jamison whiskey.
We went back to Temple Bar, danced for like two hours in a nightclub, then took a cab back to the central Hotel and called it a night.
NEXT: A TOWN NAMED JUST FOR ME!
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 03-28-2000).]
Christine and I got up early in spite of me being full of Guinness. She's such an angel: Had a morning PEPSI waiting for me when I finally woke up (to the sound of chatty Maids and big vaccumn cleaners roaring.)
We were reminded as we headed out that we had a free Irish Breakfast coming to us. SO back upstairs to a nice dining room with lots of Toast, bottomless coffee or tea (I had milk) a mix of bacon, sausage, pork and beans (which they gave me even after I said I was allergic) some Pataee (SP?) type stuff and mushrooms. Not for those watching cholestrol. Then Christine reminded me by the big cereal table was Frosties (the European name for Tony the Tigers favorite cereal.) I enjoyed that.
We packed a small bag of bottled water and about six Kit Kat Chunky bars (It took me about an hour to make short work of the Kit Kat.) and went for mroe walking: thru the neighborhoods, Temple Bar (which was arleady hopping at noon) the parks, a department store where we browsed linens, lunch of Shephards Pie for Christine and Lasange for myself at a funky place on the north side of town.
One problem: because of the bus strike we thought the locals were taking the tour buses because they were PACKED. We ended up taking a cab to our next destination:
THE GUINNESS BREWPUB!!
THIS IS A *MUST* PLACE TO GO IF WE EVER DO A DUBLIN F-T PARTY! MAYBE RENT OUT THE PLACE FOR A BEER BASH!
Christine said "your brothers Geo1004 and Newself would say they died and gone to brew heaven." (She's starting to know you Flyertalkers like my family!) The Brewhouse a fun place, three levels, one with all the fun Guinness advertising, one level explaining the brewing process and then on the first floor: the Brew house where with your admission you can get two half pints or one full pint of Guinness on the house.
MileCrazy told me they used to give unlimited beer. Now the limit is one Guinness per person. I say this makes a lot of sense, you don't want intoxicated tourists stumbling into traffic!
Christine had one and gave it FOUR PAWS UP!!!
We stopped at the gift shop and I bought a pladded guiness hat and magnets. Christine got a mug for a friend of hers.
The Guinness museum is A FOUR PAWS UP MUST ON any visit to Ireland.
We were too tired to go to the Jamison whiskey tour (christine was going to get a shot glass there) so back to hotel, cat naps, then out on the town to see Dublin nightlife.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS IN THE PUB
At six thirty already streets are crowded and people are in a festive move. Christine and I went to about five pubs before finding out that wasn't so crowded. She then told me she wanted to surprise me by getting me a Havana cigar but forgot the $$$.
This attractive Irish woman named Bree overheard us and said she knew of one tobacco store and then someone at the Shelbourne hotel (a luxury old hotel in downtown Dublin) where we could Cigars. Christine went back to the Hotel for $$$ and Bree was asking me a lot of questions about the states and how she loved Long Island and New Orleans.
Meanwhile I sense this big lurking guy watching me from the other end of the bar and walking over several times looking at me then walking back to his mate.. I later found out it was Bree's boyfriend Emed.
Christine came back with $$$ and the women went off cigar hunting leaving me alone with Emed. He tells his mates "I'll sit next to the American now." I was afraid he was going to deck me for chatting up his girlfriend. He sits down in the bar stool next to me and I was ready to get killed.
Instead, he talked to me about burying three friends in one week and how he really was hurting. He also was feeling no pain. I let him talk and told him everything was going to be ok. He bought Jamison's whiskeys for us and said I looked like I could get buzzed (he used another word I will NOT say here.)
(I seem to attract the drunk people on my travels. Emed though was such a nice guy.)
He then said I was the nicest American he's ever met and thanked me for listening and sharing drinks with him.
So the women came back and said we were going to the Shelbourne for Cigars. Emed said I was his new best mate and Christine said "of course, he's the Catman."
So for the rest of the evening Emed called me "Cat-Mate."
Bree and Emed wanted to take us to dinner. We wanted Irish food. We ended up at Acapulco, a MEXICAN restaurant. (We went to Dublin to have Mexican food... I ended up laughing for 10 minutes.)
The food was good, the company even better.
Christine was impressed I went out with our new friends without hesitation (maybe it was the Jamison whiskey.)
After dinner the women walked ahead of us to the Shelbourne while Emed was touched I invited him and Bree to NYC and promised to show them a good time.
The Shelbourne I believe is where they filmed part of "Circle of Friends" with Minnie Driver. It's a beautiful hotel and the consierge got Christine and Me nice Havanas. I was shocked that Christine also wanted one but she said she a few before in mexico.
Bree and Emed were tired so we said goodbyes and promised to see them soon.
Christine and I went to a pub a few blocks away and lit up our Havanas. Christine was a natural and said she doesn't smoke anything but a Havana. We toasted ourselves with Jamison whiskey.
We went back to Temple Bar, danced for like two hours in a nightclub, then took a cab back to the central Hotel and called it a night.
NEXT: A TOWN NAMED JUST FOR ME!
[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 03-28-2000).]
Mar 28, 2000 | 1:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: SDF via MCO DFW, FSD, BDS, DSM, ORD, OMA
Posts: 612
Great stuff, Catman! Sounds like youse guyse had a blast in Dublin. The Guinness is definitely best in Ireland. I never took the (Guiness) tour, but will for sure next time. I did take the Jameson tour and that was pretty awesome.
Cheers,
'toad
Cheers,
'toad
Apr 2, 2000 | 6:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: T82
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 2,845
Cat-mate. I like that.
Love the reports of your Irish trip, particularly this chapter.
If you're ever without a job, and since you seem to attract drunks telling you their stories, you could always be a great bartender. And the cats could be with you at work.
Love the reports of your Irish trip, particularly this chapter.
If you're ever without a job, and since you seem to attract drunks telling you their stories, you could always be a great bartender. And the cats could be with you at work.
Apr 3, 2000 | 12:53 am
#5
Original Poster
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
OMNI for newself, I can't guarantee CHristine since her schedules all over the place with her job. And I think I should try out one of these Long Beach get togethers myself before I start letting members of my "Inner Circle" in.
And I see Krispee Kreames at Dodger Stadium. Never been there. This could be the makings of a Party in Long beach celebrations!
And I see Krispee Kreames at Dodger Stadium. Never been there. This could be the makings of a Party in Long beach celebrations!
Apr 7, 2000 | 4:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: No status anymore. Former CO PLT, NW PLT, AS MVP
Posts: 502
I loved Dublin myself, but after giving Irish food three chances, I gave up. There are plenty of good restaurants in Dublin, but none of them appear to be the ones serving Irish food.
For those of you who haven't had the fortune yet to experience said cuisine, imagine the type of food you'd get in the midwest US. You know, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken...that sorta stuff. OK, now imagine it having all of the same look, smell, and texture, but all of the flavor removed. That's pretty much it. They still have a bit too much English influence there, it would seem. *sigh*
------------------
Michael
For those of you who haven't had the fortune yet to experience said cuisine, imagine the type of food you'd get in the midwest US. You know, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken...that sorta stuff. OK, now imagine it having all of the same look, smell, and texture, but all of the flavor removed. That's pretty much it. They still have a bit too much English influence there, it would seem. *sigh*
------------------
Michael
Apr 8, 2000 | 8:05 am
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Originally posted by mweiss:
For those of you who haven't had the fortune yet to experience said cuisine, imagine the type of food you'd get in the midwest US. You know, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken...that sorta stuff. OK, now imagine it having all of the same look, smell, and texture, but all of the flavor removed. That's pretty much it. They still have a bit too much English influence there, it would seem. *sigh*
[/B]
For those of you who haven't had the fortune yet to experience said cuisine, imagine the type of food you'd get in the midwest US. You know, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted chicken...that sorta stuff. OK, now imagine it having all of the same look, smell, and texture, but all of the flavor removed. That's pretty much it. They still have a bit too much English influence there, it would seem. *sigh*
[/B]
------------------
Cheers
Michael *G
Apr 8, 2000 | 8:11 pm
#9
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
Programs: UA MM-1P, Hilton Life Diamond, Marriot Life Gold, ICH Spire
Posts: 4,080
Re Irish food: I vehemently disagree.
When in England, I subsist on Italian, Chinese, & Indian food, & fish and chips. When in Ireland, I don't have to.
[This message has been edited by RichG (edited 04-08-2000).]
When in England, I subsist on Italian, Chinese, & Indian food, & fish and chips. When in Ireland, I don't have to.
[This message has been edited by RichG (edited 04-08-2000).]
Apr 11, 2000 | 7:03 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Marietta, Ga USA
Posts: 13
I'm new but I'm also tired of the congas. I've been coming on flyer talk for months even though I never posted anything until last month. I enjoy reading about different trips, especially Catman's trip to Ireland. I feel like I've gotten to know a lot of you guys & I don't want you to stop using flyertalk because of all the congas. I'd miss you.
Apr 11, 2000 | 10:39 am
#13
Original Poster
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Well I'm up for going BACK on another tour of the Guinness Factory!
Can you picture a dozen or so Flyertalkers and beer lovers invading the factory? We'll make USA Today and CNN!
Bad news though.. (actually it's a wise decision YOu are limited to ONE PINT or TWO HALF PINTS of the brew. Legend had it that people got unlimited samples of Guinness and I don't want to imagine what happened next!
Can you picture a dozen or so Flyertalkers and beer lovers invading the factory? We'll make USA Today and CNN!
Bad news though.. (actually it's a wise decision
YOu are limited to ONE PINT or TWO HALF PINTS of the brew. Legend had it that people got unlimited samples of Guinness and I don't want to imagine what happened next!