Dublin Day

Let me just start by saying that however abashed I am at being on an escorted tour, at least I am not riding around in a bright yellow, faux viking ship wearing a devil-horned helmet (see photo).  I have already spent more time than it's worth trying to decide if these people are getting a discount to wear these helmets, or if they actually paid extra for the privilege. In any case, the line they have crossed is a line I don't want to get anywhere close to.
On our tour, we started off with a trip to Russborough House,  a beautiful and art-filled estate about an hour outside of Dublin.  The grounds are also gorgeous, and covered by lowing sheep who, in my view, have nothing to complain about.  This was quite an interesting tour, topped off by a video showing numerous 3-D photographs taken by Alfred Beit, who purchased Russborough  in part, to house his art collection.
After returning to Dublin, we were cut loose to do our own things.  I visited the Dublin Writers' Museum (info and displays on Swift, Joyce, Wilde, Yeats, Shaw, Lady Gregory and many others), the Temple Bar area, the General Post Office (site of the 1916 Uprising) and many other sights as I wended through the streets.  In the evening, we drove to Howth for dinner at the Abbey Tavern followed by a show of Irish music and dancing (think River Dance).  A tourist trap?  Absolutely, but nicely done and devoid of viking helmets.
           Factoid:  The Irish pronounce Joyce's great work differently than we Americans.  American:  "you-LI-seas"     Irish:   "OO-li-seas"
Tomorrow we leave Dublin making several stops on our way to Cork.

Today's pics