DUBLIN, IRELAND

Welcome to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city steeped in history and youthful energy. Medieveal, Georgian and Modern architecture provide a backdrop to a friendly bustling port, where the cosmopolitan and charming converge in the delightful diversity that is Dublin.

Welcome to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city steeped in history and youthful energy. Medieveal, Georgian and Modern architecture provide a backdrop to a friendly bustling port, where the cosmopolitan and charming converge in the delightful diversity that is Dublin. Our tour begins with a panoramic city tour. Travelling through the city we shall see the Old Parliament House, which is now the Bank of Ireland. Trinity College founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and the Georgian squares of Merrion & Fitzwilliam. Merrion is one of Dublin’s grandest Georgian squares and was once home to such famous Irish people as Daniel O’Connell, WB Yeats and Oscar Wilde. It is now the address of the National Gallery of Ireland and Leinster House, home of the Irish Parliament. We shall also travel to St Stephen’s Green and onto Dawson Street to view the Mansion, residence of Dublin’s Lord Mayor. We will also pass by Dublin Castle, City Hall, Christchurch Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral en route to visit the home of the world’s famous brew – Guinness. On arrival at the brewery we will be shown to the Guinness Storehouse, located in the heart of the Guinness Brewery. Here we will discover what goes into making a pint of the ‘blackstuff’ – the ingredients, the process, the effort. It is a dramatic story, which began over 250 years ago and ends in gravity, the sky bar, which has astonishing views of Dublin. Often surprising, always entertaining, the adventure begins the moment we walk through the door and into the building’s giant, pint shaped heart of glass. We will ‘meet’ Arthur Guinness and find out how the drink that carries his name has travelled around the world. We will also have some time in the advertising gallery in the storehouse, where we will discover a display of all Guinness advertising material, past and present. We shall also learn how important it is to ‘pull the perfect pint’. The way to hold the glass, the speed it enters the glass, the time for the pint to settle and the final touch that gives the pint a creamy head, before sitting back, relaxing and enjoying a glass of Guinness. At the end of our tour, we may have some free time to look around the shop, where we will find the world’s greatest selection of Guinness fashions and memorabilia before re-boarding our coach.

Please note that entry to the brewery itself is not permitted. There is a moderate amount of walking involved on this tour. There are approximately 30 steps to negotiate at the Guinness storehouse however there is an escalator and elevator to each floor.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES