Ireland > The Guinness tour

Despite the cramped double bed, I slept very well. Last night, we could not find a suitable breakfast in the small supermarket. The selection was mainly aimed at quick snacks for the nightlife crowd in this neighborhood. Fortunately, there is coffee available in the apartment. Around half past ten, we walk to the other side of the River Liffey. There we find the popular breakfast restaurant Jay Kay's Cafe. We even have to wait a while before a table becomes available. I order an omelet with salmon, orange juice, and coffee. At half past twelve, we have a reserved timeslot to admire the famous Book of Kells. This ancient manuscript from around 800 AD is exhibited at Trinity College Dublin, the university of Dublin. We arrive a little early. On the lawn in front of the Old Library, students and tourists are enjoying the beautiful weather. In the sunshine, it is very pleasant, although it can still feel chilly in the shade. Fortunately, we do not have to wait long and are allowed inside earlier than planned. During the audio tour, it is explained that the world-famous Book of Kells is a richly illustrated gospel manuscript from the 9th century. The book is renowned for its intricate Celtic decorations.

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The natural pigments used in the manuscript have remarkably retained their colors over the centuries. In a separate room, I view the famous book itself. Every day, a page is turned to prevent specific pages from deteriorating too much. Unfortunately, today’s pages do not contain any illustrations. The tour then continues to the old library. The Old Library is one of the most impressive historic libraries in Europe. The building dates back to the 18th century and radiates an atmosphere of centuries-old tradition. Most of the books have temporarily been removed for restoration purposes. The audio tour describes this as a historic opportunity, although it does not really feel that way. Even with the empty shelves, the library remains stunningly beautiful. I am not entirely sure whether I find the enormous modern globe hanging in the hall a fitting addition. In the Red Pavilion, located in the courtyard of Trinity College, videos provide more information about the Book of Kells and the library. From Trinity College, we walk eastward. We pass the castle and arrive at St Patrick's Cathedral.

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Although I think the €11.50 entrance fee is quite expensive, I still decide to visit the cathedral. St Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Ireland. It was built in the 12th century on the site where, according to tradition, Saint Patrick baptized people into Christianity. The cathedral was built in Gothic style. Along the walls hang colorful banners of the Order of St Patrick, a chivalric order from the British era. The church also contains the grave of Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels. He once served as dean of the cathedral. A short distance beyond the cathedral lies the Guinness brewery. We have also booked a timeslot here. The brewery is clearly a major tourist attraction, with several tour buses parked outside the factory. We join the queue for the visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Over several floors, the process of brewing the famous Irish beer is explained. Mainly because of the large crowds, the experience sometimes feels a bit chaotic.

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During the tasting session, the aromas of the ingredients are released, and everyone receives a small glass of Guinness to sample. I never really liked Guinness, and I still do not. On the seventh and highest floor, there is a bar. One pint of beer is included with the tour. To be safe, I choose a lager instead. From here, there is a beautiful view over Dublin, and it is also easy to see just how enormous the Guinness brewery complex is. Back in the city center, it is very crowded in the Temple Bar district. At The Temple Bar Pub, we order a drink. This is undoubtedly the most touristy corner of the neighborhood, and the prices — more than ten euros for a pint of beer — certainly reflect that. Afterwards, we have dinner at Yamamori Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant. Ever since our world trip, it has become a tradition for us to eat Japanese food on May 1st. On the way back to our apartment, we buy whiskey and whipped cream. We end the day by making Irish coffee in the apartment.