Today started out quite early with a trip back to the Dublin Airport to pick up Brad & Cindy Eisenmann, our traveling companions for this trip. We had to circle a few times but we found them! After dropping off their luggage at our hotel we headed off for another Irish adventure.

First up was a guided walking tour of Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Temple Bar area. Heather & Randy had seen most of the sites yesterday but todays guide was a bit more irreverent. No one escaped his sharp tongue. We still learned alot and were able to laugh along with him. It’s always interesting to see how various guides retell the same history.

Next up was a tour of the “Jeanie Johnston”, a famine boat. Or more aptly called a tomb boat due to so many deaths aboard during their voyages. They were used during the potato famine from 1845-1852 when Irish immigrants were fleeing the country due to starvation, mostly caused by poor treatment from English lords rather than an actual famine. Approximately 1 million died and 1 million immigrated. The “Jeanie Johnston” was unusual in that it never lost a single passenger. Quite a story and too long to tell here. It was especially poignant since Brad’s great great grandmother was one of the immigrants to the US in 1847 on one of these ships! We will spend time later in the trip near Schull looking up records of Brad’s family.

We then spent time in the EPIC Museum which details various aspects of Irish immigrant culture and how it has affected other countries. For example, 23 US Presidents have Irish heritage. Many of the people driven out of Ireland didn’t want to leave but were given no choice. They took their gifts and talents with them making the countries they settled in richer in many ways.

Our evening concluded with a meal at a local pub with live music. The musician was quite entertaining even though half his songs were 70’s pop music rather than the traditional Irish music we were hoping for. However, we did get a rendition of “Molly Malone” as well as a ballad or two.

Photos not mentioned: *first selfie in front of the Dublin Spire. A random landmark Dubliners dislike. *Bunks on ship would be 6’x4’ w/5 people per bunk. *Heads on door were Brian Brou (an Irish hero from 1014) & St Patrick *Lady Justice who isn’t blind in Ireland.