DT DUBLIN DIARY OCTOBER 2012

Day 1
We were waiting at the Heuston Train station with great anticipation for all the students to arrive and meet their new buddies for the 3 nights. Once everyone had arrived we made our way to Temple Bar to check into the Hostel. Walking down the streets of Temple Bar it was obvious that we had arrived in the liveliest spot in Dublin and all the students were happy to be in the middle of everything. After check in the students were given free time to explore the surrounding area and a meeting point of St Stephens green was given for 3pm to have our city tour provided by Splash Viking Tours! Meeting at St Stephens Green didnt go to plan as some students (yes the Spanish!) got lost and couldnt find the big yellow bus/boat!! When they did arrive we were greeted by our Viking tour guide that had us all wear Viking helmets with horns on. We proceeded to start the tour which took us to all the great sights that Dublin has to offer. Part of the fun was to roar like Vikings any time we stopped at a traffic light this proved very funny seeing the unexpected passer by jumping at the sound of 30 people screaming at them. After seeing all the main sights and finding out where Abercrombie & Fitch was located, we proceeded to the Grand Canal where our bus was transported into a boat. We were all given very trendy lifejackets before heading into the water. The Grand Canal was a major lifeline to the city in transporting goods from the tall shops from Dublin Port to the rest of the country. Nowadays the canal doesnt get used that often and has been transported to a hip and happening place to hang out for cocktails and the theatre even some of Irelands famous faces have apartments here overlooking the canal. We had hoped that Colin Farrell would make an appearance it wasnt meant to be! After our trip at sea we were taken back to St Stephens Green for the end of the tour. From here the students were given free time and the meeting point of the Arlington Hotel was given for 7pm for our Dinner and Show.

Our accommodation for 3 nights

Our transportation for the City Tour

Check out the head gear!!!

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Dinner was served in the Arlington Hotel overlooking OConnell Bridge. We were given a tasty 3 course meal and the famous Celtic Rhythm Irish Music and Dancing Show. Irish Stew was a popular choice!! We had seats quite close to the stage and also a big screen near us to watch and listen to the traditional music that was about to start. The band comprised of 5 people with a lead singer, a Bodhrn (Irish drum) player, an Accordion player, a Banjo player and a Guitarist. They gave us some traditional Irish songs like Dirty Old Town and the Rocky Road to Dublin. We were also treated to some Irish Dancers that got most of the students up off the seats and clapping with the odd foot twitching!! Waiting for the first course With all the Jigs and Reels 4 students just couldnt keep still and when the audience was asked if they wanted to try it out, they all jumped off their seats and headed on stage where they were taught some steps and performed in front of us all well done, they were the stars of the night!! After the excitement of the show it was time to head back to Temple Bar to the hostel to get some rest for the following day!

Jig or Reel?? You decide!

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Day 2
After breakfast at the Hostel we all met outside the for a short walk to Trinty College. The college is steeped with history from when it was built in 1592 and is one of the great Universities of Ireland. When we arrived to Trinty we had a walk around the grounds and some students paid to enter the library and see the Book of Kells This book was created by Celtic Monks ca. 800 or slightly earlier and is the illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin containing the four gospels of the New Testament of the Bible. After our visit here we continued to the National Museum of Ireland - Archeology where they have on display ancient objects found in Ireland. Some of the exhibitions were of Celtic and Early Christian Ireland, the Irish Bronze Age, Viking Ireland and Medieval Ireland. Some great pieces of Gold and clothes were seen by all. After this free time was given and the Hard Rock Caf in Temple Bar was our next meeting point for lunch. With the choice of Burger, Hot Dog or Pasta everyone was catered for with something that they like. Lots of souvenirs were bought here as presents to take home for Christmas by the students. Our next meeting point was the home of Guinness at 3.30pm so after lunch all the girls wanted to race to Penneys for a bit of shopping!! Lunch Time!! At the Guinness Store house we were given a tour to see the history of Arthur Guinness and brewing in Dublin. The building was divided into 7 floors that was shaped like a pint glass. It was designed to show you the different processs of brewing and how times had moved on with modern technology. On the fourth floor was where you had to be 18 and could pull yourself the perfect pint as our students were not old enough they were given a soft drink instead not the same as many protested to! At the top of the building was the Gravity Bar which has a breath taking panoramic 360 view of Dublin city and beyond. After this it was free time once again and roll call was at 11pm in the hostel. St Jamess Gate

The rain jackets were needed this morning

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Day 3
After breakfast we were on our way to Jervis Street to the National Leprechaun Museum. Here we were to discover the sounds, sights, stories and magic of mythical Ireland the land of the Leprechaun! The word leprechaun comes from the Irish L Chorpain meaning small body. The leprechaun is a character of Irish Mythology. He is about 2'6" (75cm) tall. He is very rich but extremely tricky and if you catch one don't take your eyes off him, or he will disappear! He is a very slick talker and loves a bit of fun. The tour of the museum takes us into the world of the Leprechaun where we experience what it would be like as a Leprechaun in a giants world. After the tour there was many gifts bought for friends and family from this very unique museum and some very funny pictures!! After this it was free time (for more shopping!!) and our meeting point was the Wax Museum at 2pm where we got to see lots of wax work characters from Ireland, the movie world and the music industry. A favorite room was the Chamber of Horrors. Located in the basement of the museum the students bravely entered at their own risk and experience the weird and wonderful world of horror. I could my heart pounding and hands sweating as you come face to face with the infamous Buffalo Bill, Hannibal Lector, Freddy Kruger or Dracula. The typical Leprechaun pose!!! Our next meeting point was for Dinner at Milano Pizza in Temple Bar so the students left the Wax Museum for free time before eating. Here we were treated to a 3 course meal and a choice of what pizza we wanted. This proved to tricky for some boys as they couldnt make up their minds what topping to have. It was back to the hostel after dinner for our last night together.

The Giants Room!

Day 4
After breakfast we would check out of the hostel and most would leave their bags at reception for that last minute shopping by going to Dundrum Shopping Centre one of the biggest Shopping Centers in Ireland. After leaving the hostel and seeing some sad faces to be going home, but very happy at the same time from having a great Discovery Tour of Dublin! Thank you to all

Pizza Time!!!

Our Next Discovery Tour will be in the Easter Holidays which will be in a fantastic Outdoor Adventure Center with activities such as Canoeing, Kayaking, Rockclimbing, Abseiling, Hillwalking and much more!! Be sure not to miss out. This will be a great end of year camp to catch up with your friends.