Follow our journey on this map.
Day 29 weather turned into the true Irish experience we had hoped/dreaded. It was pouring most of the afternoon during our walking food tour. But I digress.
We had no plans today except to go on the Secret Food Tour (thanks to our friends Morey & Michelle's suggestion). We had an engaging breakfast with a local couple sitting next to us in the hotel restaurant (Paul & Noel). We received a ton of insight into living in Ireland, travel, food, where to go for today’s hurling final between Kilkinney & Limerick (O’Neill’s) and most important: what to wear (green for Limerick!). We'll be there.
After breakfast we just wandered around Temple Bar (which isn’t a “bar”; wish I had known) just taking in the sights as Mae was trying to find some fabric to bring home. After a snack and beer (Follain beer; Mae’s maiden name) in a bank converted to a pub, we headed for the Secret Food Tour.
The guide was really good, animated and knew a ton about the Irish history. We went to 4 different food stops to sample Irish stew, potato cakes, fish & chips at the oldest continuous location, and really good ice cream. The rain started pouring shortly after we began and did not stop for the remaining 3½ hours of walking. It was an absolute blast.
On the meandering route we came across a street mural which we would not have looked twice at had it not been for the guide. If you zoom in on the photo, you’ll see the subjects dressed a little differently than the masterpiece. For example, Christ is wearing a knitted Irish sweater, Simon has a teapot, Matthew is wearing a bomber jacket, Judas is dressed as a banker with Peter dressed as a priest representing the relationship between the Catholic church and the banking establishment. It was really something in that the installation was at least 20 feet long.
After the tour we came back to the hotel, warmed up and grabbed our evening Irish Whiskey drinks. This time I had Palmer 12 year old Irish whiskey in a Manhattan. Best one yet.
Finally, if you're checking out the map referenced at the top, zoom into Dublin and you'll see most of the places we stopped.
