We woke up a bit groggy, but not too bad, all drinks considered. We partook of the free breakfast in the hostel. Kenny had toted along a most useful device, the Big Sky Bistro that Noah (see my Philippines journal) had given to him. With some bird-friendly coffee purchased in London, we were kept in good shape. We decided to see Dublin Castle, and set off bundled up, our digital cameras primed and ready.

We found our way to Dublin Castle, dodging puddles of vomit on the damp sidewalks. Once inside, I was a bit disappointed. For my first castle, Dublin Castle was a bit of a let-down. Very little of it is preserved as "it once was" and instead, the building is used as a headquarters for various Dublin government offices instead. I guess this is because the Castle used to be the HQ of the British control over Ireland, and no Irishman wants to preserve that.

There were some nice carvings in the stonework, though.

We found a lovely garden across from Dublin Castle, where we lingered awhile waiting for the Chester Beatty Museum and Library to open. Everything seems to open much later, and closer much earlier, here in Ireland, than I am used to back in the ultra-convenient US.

The centerpiece of the garden was a huge Celtic Knot laid out in brick. Nice spiral designes were welded together into the wrought-iron fence surrounding the garden. The colorful walls of Dublin Castle showed beyond.

We toured the Chester Beatty collection, an incredible compilation of manuscripts and religious items from cultures and faiths around the world. We had a nice gourmet lunch there too, and when we left we found a perfect spot to take a picture of Kenny.