Clontarf Castle, Dublin

We returned to Dublin for the final leg of our Irish journey. The new hotel was once again a converted castle.

Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin

The modern hotel lobby entrance is on the right.

The lobby area is set against exterior walls of the old castle.

Clontarf Castle as it once appeared

Doorbells and a warning to potential bad actors.

Shining armor

Floor tiles

Ivy covers the old and the new.

My last Guinness in Ireland

Pan roasted Wicklow lamb rump with black garlic puree and deconstructed ratatouille, Fahrenheit Restaurant. Excellent.

Straighten up and...

Note:  I no longer reside in a castle.

Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

Ireland

Castles

Dublin

Guinness

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Donegal Town

Our travels took us to Donegal Town around nightfall on July 12. The town is situated on the River Eske in County Donegal, Ireland.

Clar Church or St. Agatha's Church (Roman Catholic)

River Eske

Low tide

A helpful reminder for American tourists at the Diamond, the town center

My nightly dose of clarity served up in the Market House Restaurant

Church of Ireland, Donegal Parish

The Olde Castle Bar and Restaurant

Donegal Castle

Donegal Castle

Donegal Castle

Donegal Castle

The Olde Castle Bar and Red Hugh's Restaurant, right next to Donegal Castle

The Diamond with obelisk commemorating the Four Masters

The pharmacy is gone but the mosaic remains.

The River Eske, later

Say, that boat looks familiar...

Rising tide

Attempted Bloggery's quick links:

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Churches

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Attempted Bloggery's index, always at high tide

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Clifden

After leaving Dublin, we stopped for lunch in Enfield and proceeded to our destination of Clifden in County Galway. Clifden is located on the west coast of Ireland and is the largest town in Connemara.

24/7 Launderette located at a petrol station in Enfield

Kingstown House in Clifden, our bed and breakfast. By the way, breakfast was excellent.

Guinness merchandise in town

St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic)

50 Shades of...

The phone booth survives!

Dinner at the Marconi in Foyle's Hotel. He's a favorite in Cape Cod too!

Tom King's Bar & Snug with a colorful Guinness toucan sign

The town center—that is, centre—with Alcock & Brown Hotel and Christ Church (Church of Ireland)

Leigh's Barber Shop portrays Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. How's that for marketing?

Three bicycle planters up on a wall

St. Joseph's again and the Courthouse

Flowers alongside stairs to a parking lot

Monument to John Reilly, a gift from Mexico

Another bicycle planter, this time situated improbably in a bike rack

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Touring the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse tour celebrates the history of the classic brew. An exhibition demonstrates the ingredients that go into Guinness. Classic factory equipment is on display. There is a also a survey of old promotions and a tutorial on tasting. The tour concludes with—what else?—a complimentary pint.

Brewing on the horizon

This way to the Guinness Storehouse

While the public is directed to the Guinness Storehouse, the rest of the plant remains active.

Guinness, St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin

Water is a key ingredient. You knew that.

Old equipment, spotlit

Guinness tasting

All aboard!

Old technology

New technology

Guinness Fish

Scale model of the Guinness Festival Clock

The reward. I have got to learn to take the picture before I start drinking.

The toucans make a special delivery.

Note:  My only mistake? Two beers on no sleep. My plan for the rest of the trip? A Guinness a day!

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Jack Davis (1924-2016)

Ireland

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