Back in Dublin again

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18th June - I was concluding this 6 week tour of Ireland back in Dublin. Since I had visited Dublin at the beginning of my trip I have been to Ballinasloe to visit family, and then Galway, The Aran Islands, Donegal, Doolin, Ennis, Cork, Cobh, Killarney, Killarney National Park, The Gap of Dunloe, The Ring of Kerry, The Skellig Ring, Torq Falls, the Dingle Peninsula, Dingle and the Slea Head Drive, then over the Conner Pass and through Tralee and Listowel to Tarbert where I caught the ferry across the mouth of the Shannon River to Killimer. Then up through Kilrush and Kilkee, the Spanish Point and to Lahinch. From Lahinch I went through Liscanoor and out to Hags Head within 100 yards of the tower but couldn’t get to it because I would have had to trespass on private property, and then up the coast to the Cliffs of Moher. After seeing the Cliffs of Moher and how they had been ruined by “improvements”, I eased back to Ballinasloe and regrouped and refitted a few days. I blogged all the way along on this trip.

On Monday the 18th I had my breakfast of Muesli and tea and eased over to the bus stop on Dunlo street. The 10:30 #20 bus out of Ballinasloe did not go to Heuston Station in Dublin but to the Airport and Basaras Station. The later bus at 11:30 did not go to the Airport but went to Heuston Station and Basaras Station. I didn’t feel like waiting for the 11:30 bus so I took the 10:30 bus to Basaras and caught a cab to the Times Hostel. It only cost 5 Euros for the Cab so it was well worth taking it instead of dealing with the hassle of handling suitcases and bags on a tram and bus. I got to the Times Hostel at 1:30 and they made me wait to check in till exactly at 2PM. They said I could leave my stuff and check in later but I chose to wait so I would have a better chance at staking out a bottom bunk for my two day stay. So I sat in the lobby and waited till exactly 2PM before they would check me in, and not a second sooner.

The Times Hostel was hands down the noisiest hostel I have ever stayed in. A window must be left open to let in fresh air and during the day the street noise from buses and traffic is never ending. Then noise from the pub directly beneath the rooms is added to that till the band starts around 8PM which is added to the traffic and the pub noise. The band stops around Midnight and when the pub closes the drunks move out onto the street for the next few hours shouting and singing etc. It does have an excellent location for partying in the Temple Bar area and if someone wanted to do that and come to bed drunk anyway so they could sleep through anything it would be fine. I really don’t recommend it unless ones intention is to party hearty till late at night.

Of course in fairness I should say that when booking a bed in a hostel in the Temple Bar area of Dublin I knew I was at risk of sleepless nights. In this respect I was not disappointed.

After I was allowed to check in at 2PM sharp after 2 other people who had just walked in the door I went to the room and staked out a bottom bunk by putting some of my stuff on the bed. Then I locked up my suitcase and laptop bag in the metal cage beneath the bed and went out for a walkabout.

I tried to get a picture of the hostel from the street but traffic and double decker buses constantly blocking the view made it impossible.

The weather was nice and cool and I had a nice day of walking about. Enjoyed a leisurely walk around Grafton Street, O’Connell Street, Parnell Square and Henry Street.

I also walked down Temple Bar Street to the Temple Bar and went in but it was standing room only and packed so I could hardly move around. My idea of a good time is not standing cheek by jowel holding a drink, so I just took a look and then explored the Temple Bar Area a bit before easing back to the Hostel.

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