Dublin

We've now had two full days (with no rain! -- knock on wood) in Dublin. Our hotel is brilliantly located right off of Parnell Square at the top of O'Connell St which is really the main street. The kids have had fun shopping sightseeing and writing journals. We saw the Book of Kells this morning at Trinity College after our local tour guide gave us the history of Dublin and showed us some key locations and taught us a few choice words in Gaelic...don't blame me for that one! A common slogan scrawled on any and every item that can be sold in a trinket shop has now been translated and thus adopted by the group: Pog ma thon! Don't worry though, they also learned how to say "good day": Dia duit. And a few friendly others. 

During "free time" a few went to the National Museum and Art Gallery, some to the Viking Museum, Grafton Street for shopping, walking along the Liffey river, and yet others hung around in the lively Temple Bar area known for it's cobble stone streets, cafes, restaurants, and music. Speaking of music, we hit the jackpot of live music last night when we stopped into the Ha'penney Bridge Inn for some traditional Irish music. The trio of gregarious Irish gents entertained us with some old classics that the kids now know and sing along to. There was clapping and foot stomping all around. In short, it was a heap of fun. The bar tender wasn't thrilled that he was only selling Sprite, but he eventually got over himself.

They've learned a thing or two about budgeting their money, I think, as this final day before we switch to pounds tomorrow Euros were in short supply. Luckily there are plenty of things to see and do that cost no money at all. Crisis averted! Tomorrow morning we take a ferry to North Wales and take a little drive past Snowdonia National Park and make a stop in Conwy, an ancient walled city -- but more on that once we see it!

The group is getting along swimmingly, they've made some new friends and for many have experienced some incredible things (like the ocean) for the first time. It's really been lovely.

Signing off for now,

Slainte