From Valentia Island, we drove to Killarney to return our rental car, then took the train to Dublin. We couldn't pass up the chance to spend a few days there, though, before hopping on a flight back to the states! It's a fascinating city, and we only got a glimpse, but we both agree it'd be fun to revisit sometime in the future. The name Dublin was originally Dubh Linn (duv lin), meaning "black pool", from a large tidal pool that existed near the site of the original castle.

​Gallery - For the whole story

Phoenix Park was just across the River Liffey from our Airbnb. It's one of the largest green spaces in Europe, and started its life as a royal hunting park.

Amongst other attractions -- including the Dublin Zoo -- is this monument to Wellington, the largest obelisk in Europe.

On our side of the Liffey was IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, housed in what was originally the Kilmainham Royal Hospital.

This gentleman was standing guard on the IMMA grounds.

Of course, signs of beer making culture and technology were everywhere . . .

. . . so, we had to make sure they've gotten it right. (They have . . . )

The Ha'penny Bridge crosses the Liffey in the Temple Bar area. It is a pedestrian bridge that at one time was a toll bridge (guesses as to the toll?).

Of course, we couldn't leave Dublin without glimpsing its gorgeous churches. Here is Christ Church Cathedral. Founded in 1028 by King Sitric Silkenbeard (!), it's the heart of Irish Catholicism.

This is St. Audoen's, named after a Norman saint. It was founded in 1190, after -- you guessed it -- the Norman invasion . . .

. . . and now it proudly displays bluebells and forget me nots on its verge.

And here the striking facade of St. James's church, which happens to be (ahem) right next door to the Guinness storehouse.