Dublin: Day 2

My second day in Dublin I decided to go on the free walking tour. It seemed counter-productive since I had already been in Dublin for a whole day but I figured I didn't have anything better to do with my day. I am so glad I did it. My tour guide was great and knew so much about everything in Dublin. 

 This was where the castle of Dublin used to be. This picture is also funny because I didn't realize until I was looking through my pictures that I know the guy in this picture! He's in my program here in Rome. I honestly don't know his name... Mike, maybe? Apparently he was on my walking tour too. I probably should have given him some warning that I was taking a picture...

This picture is particularly funny because it is of justice with her usual scales but 1. she has her back turned to the people of Dublin 2. She is not blindfolded 3. when it rains water collects and the scale tips to one side. 

Here is Christ Church. I spent so much time here. One day I read my book and date dinner while sitting outside watching the tourists. It was quite pleasant. 

 Hay-penny Bridge. There was a ferry service here at one point but all the ferries were unkept and unsafe so city council told the owners of the service that they either needed to repair the boats or build a bridge. They decided to build a bridge but charge people a Hay-penny to cross. Thankfully they  don't do that anymore but I thought it was an interesting story.

This is a plaque placed on the McConnell Bridge that was placed there as a joke. Friar Pat Noise never existed but the story circulated that he ran off the bridge and only his cart and horse were found downstream. Eventually Dublin city council did some research on Pat Noise and they couldn't find anything. They talked to everyone in Dublin and even contacted the Pope. No one had heard of him so they decided to remove the plaque. The citizens of Dublin got very upset and the plaque was eventually put back in its original place. 

After my walking tour (which took all morning and most of my afternoon) I met Antonietta and Nicole for dinner. I got fish and chips (of course) and our waiter would only refer to my serving as "the whale" since it was so massive. I couldn't eat it all. They also introduced me to cider. I have to say that I am a huge fan. 

After dinner they took me to a pub to see their "friend" play. They met him in a different pub on their first night in Dublin and he told them to come see him play at this pub. He was fine. Irish music isn't my favorite but if I have to listen to Irish music I would much rather listen to it live.