There was Guinness at the First Thanksgiving

I have had my third successful trip to Dublin! Aunt Kathy, Uncle Donny, Ally, and I arrived in Dublin around 2:00 on Wednesday afternoon. We found our hotel (it's becoming easier and easier for me to navigate the streets of Dublin...I can't take all the credit, though, Uncle Donny and I did consult the map a few times) and set off immediately for the Guinness Factory.

The tour was almost as good as ever. While it was shortened slightly because one whole section was closed off (and yet the admission was still the same price...thank you, Ireland) it was also enhanced by Christmas decorations:

There were only regular ornaments on the tree. I had hoped it would be Guinness-themed, but it was regular, which is still great.

In the Sky Bar, Uncle Donny got his free pint of Guinness while Ally and I used our tickets for soda. I got to see the shamrock in the Guinness foam for the first time. I had heard that some bartenders add that little touch, but I'd never actually witnessed it.

We took some photos in the Sky Bar because we got seats by the window...another first for me. Usually it's very crowded and we can't get anywhere near the window to enjoy the 360 degree view of Dublin.

Aunt Kathy and I had a great time despite the fact that neither of us likes Guinness all that much.

Uncle Donny tried Guinness for the first time and I believe he did like it. At least he was enthusiastic about it under the sign. Sorry for the blurriness. My camera was confused about the lighting in this place.

I know you're wondering, Dear Reader, if we did anything besides drink Guinness for Thanksgiving. In fact, we did!


This morning we went through Christ Church Cathedral. I absolutely love this church and could walk through the dungeon many times without getting bored. (Confession: it's because it reminds me of Harry Potter.) Above, Ally is standing between Christ Church and our hotel, Jury's Inn at Christ Church.

We also walked down to the courtyard behind St. Patrick's Cathedral for more photo ops. We really could not have had better weather for this Dublin trip (actually, they've been very lucky all week).

Ally and me outside of St. Patrick's. I'm not quite sure why I decided to look like that, but it's what I did, so that's that.

Happy Thanksgiving, America! Four weeks from this day to Christmas! (Yeah, that's right, I'm still compulsively counting.)