Dublin - the last hoorah

Today is our last real day in Dublin....tomorrow morning we fly out to Dubrovnik, Croatia. It's been just over 3 weeks and we have had an awesome time - even beginning to feel like 'locals'....but I must admit I am looking forward to warmer weather and swimming in the warm mediterranean.

Yesterday Neve and Eloise had some time apart in the morning. It isn't that they are not getting on - just the opposite really....they have played together SO well and truly are best friends. But just to calm things down a little, Shane took Eloise into town for some father/daughter bonding while Neve and I went for a big walk down to the river to take another look at the tall ships, where Neve had a ride on a pirate ship and then we took part in a music show before walking into town to meet Shane and Eloise for lunch.

The rain started at lunchtime so we did a quick dash around town before heading home to warm up and dry out.

Today started out cold and wet. But (as is typical in Dublin) the rain stopped and the sun came out briefly - before the clouds came back. Since this was our last day, we went into town for a final walk around. We all bought warm jackets in preparation for our time in Switzerland in October - which seems ridiculous since we are about to spend the next few weeks in 30+ degree weather - but who can resist a sale! We then wandered to the Temple Bar area and went to THE Temple Bar, where we enjoyed the true Irish pub experience....

Eloise acting a bit 'fishy' in the Temple Bar

Eloise was highly impressed with the local performer at the Temple Bar...

 She insisted I take a photo of the Mickey Mouse bag....

The whiskey list at the pub

After we were kicked out of the pub for drunken rowdiness (hmmm.....sure) we walked through to another pub where we had lunch. It was pretty quiet (until we got there) but they still had Irish music playing. Neve's Irish blood means that she can't help but tap her feet whenever she hears the fiddle and flute of an Irish band....

So while they were waiting for their lunch Neve and Eloise gave us their rendition of an Irish jig...

I think Neve is going to miss Ireland the most out of all of us....

We walked back home through town....past the statue of Molly Malone (or 'the tart with the cart') and a happy leprechaun.

A quiet drink at Shane's favourite pub and it's farewell to Dublin and Ireland.  Ireland is great, Dublin is fantastic....it's been 'grand'.....