Avonie and I had a lazy morning, sleeping in until 8am. We could tell it would be a cold and drizzly day, so I dressed warm in a thermal shirt and leggings, turtleneck, thermal rain jacket, wool leggings, skirt, and boots. Even with all the layering, I still managed to get shivery a few times throughout the day! After leisurely getting ready for the fun day ahead of us, we jumped in the Ritz valet’s shuttle and headed down the road to Eniskerry, a quaint village about 10 minutes from the hotel. The views around the Ritz and Eniskerry are incredible. Everywhere you look is bright green! Rolling hills are dotted with horses, and there are even horses that wander around the fields by the hotel. It is such beautiful countryside.

We stopped for breakfast at a quaint little restaurant called Poppies as a result of the valet’s recommendation. It was just what we were craving: thick slices of toast with homemade raspberry jam, fluffy scrambled eggs, and bacon and sausage, with a delicious cup of coffee. I imagine we will become “regulars” there in the morning – and I can’t wait to try their cappuccinos!

Double-decker Bus 44 (route to Dublin) stopped promptly in Eniskerry at a quarter past 10, and we hopped on board. We missed our stop and wandered the cold Dublin streets for a while, until Avonie noticed a Bank of Ireland. I needed an ATM for some quick cash, and we thought the bank would be an ideal place, with a less chance of scanners. Unfortunately, the bank’s ATM rejected my card; on the bright side however, we met a charming, furry fellow while standing in line. Yes, you read correctly. Furry. Dogs are so well-behaved in Ireland, and so loyal to their owners, that they are allowed in many restaurants, and even banks (think Babe). The majority are not leashed; instead, they walk by their owners’ sides even on the busiest roads. Anyways, this handsome tail-wagger waltzed right up to us to say hello. His human was a delightful older man who just loved that we couldn’t get enough of his dog. It helped me forget all about the ATM machine.

We eventually stumbled upon our destination: Guinness Storehouse. What an amazing experience! Guinness obviously put a lot of work into creating a fun and educational atmosphere at its facilities. I learned so much about the manufacturing of Guinness beer, and utilized my camera often during the tour. We received a sample of Guinness, before attending the Guinness Academy. Avonie and I both became “certified” to pour Guinness after pouring “the perfect pint.” The best part? We were given the opportunity to drink it all afterwards! Unfortunately, as I do very much enjoy Guinness, we had arrived at the Storehouse with empty stomachs and I was unable to drink even half of my free pint. Shameful.

After a scrumptious lunch of Guinness beef stew, we exited the Storehouse and began to make our way to the next destination of the day: Jameson’s Old Whiskey Distillery! (As you can see, the entire day was devoted to the manufacturing and tasting of Irish drinks). We were quickly approached by a gentleman with a horse drawn carriage! Despite the tourist-trap stigma, Avonie and I decided to catch a ride. We are in Ireland after all! The carriage ride through the cobblestone streets was delightful. I had always wanted to do it, and it was well worth it for me. In no time, we were in front of Jameson’s and preparing for the guided tour. In some ways, it was similar to the Guinness process, with some of the same ingredients. We learned the difference between malted and unmalted grain mash, the distillation process, and how Jameson’s ferments the infamous Irish whiskey. Our tour guide, Rob, did a great job; he also took a definite liking to Avonie. She had the opportunity at the end of the tour to be a “whiskey tester,” and sampled shots of several different whiskeys. In the end, she still voted Jameson’s as the best. Included in the tour was a free drink of Jameson’s. This time I was prepared! My Jameson’s with ginger and lemon was absolutely delicious! Sweet and smooth. Patrick Horn and John Snavely, you should both be proud.

We had to wait about an hour for Bus 44 to arrive at the stop, so we waited inside a warm pub called Madigans. Avonie ordered a brownie, and I sipped on a Shirley Temple. Once again, the bartender wasn’t sure how to make it, but with my instruction, he managed just fine! Even better, he did something new: he added sugar around the rim of my glass. Yummy! Overall, it was a wonderful day with a great taste of Irish culture (and spirits!).

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Avonie joined me soon after and we ordered a hearty pub dinner. I chose a sirloin steak sandwich, and I was not disappointed. Avonie also convinced me to order my very first Guinness, despite my protests. I was also bribed by Sean, who allowed me to pour the Guinness myself. It tasted great, and fulfilled all of my expectations about Irish Guinness. During dinner, we were also allowed to try a sample of Bulmer’s Cider, which was amazing. You could barely tell it was alcohol, which reminded me that I should drink it in moderation. McGill’s is a delightful hotel pub, conveniently situated, and I am sure that I will visit it often during our stay here.