Farewell to Dublin..

Our first port of call on Sunday was to go and see the Book of Kells. With the sun finally out and it being a Sunday, and with what seemed like 90% of the city nursing a hangover, it was for once pleasant whilst walking around.

Upon entering the exhibition I wasn't initially very impressed, but as we went a bit further in it started to get much more interesting. Watching videos of people using the old methods of bookbinding was particularly impressive, the detail and skill that the writing required demanded respect. The actual Book of Kells itself was not so impressive to see, since all you could view was one centre fold.

The last piece of the tour was really grand (had to throw in a word the Irish like to use!!). Before entering the Trinity College Library, the smell of old wood and paper hits your nose preparing you for your first sight of the library. Its sheer size is what struck me first, only later noticing the meticulous precision with which all the books were organised. I even managed to take a sneaky picture whilst the guard was looking the other way..

There was only time left to do one more thing and that was something which I've always wanted to try, something I promised a good friend of mine I'd try whilst in Dublin since she shares my curiosity about Irish coffee. Serge took me to the perfect setting, a French style cafe with an amazing interior. Being an espresso drinker, I was a bit apprehensive when my coffee arrived looking very long. My fears were allayed after the first sip though by a rich coffee taste which contained a hint of whiskey leaving me feeling all warm inside, the perfect way to say goodbye to Dublin..