We took the train to Bray, just a few dozen miles south of Dublin, and spent a bit of time on the Irish Sea. Picturesque, and definitely off season. There were a few cafes open, but not much else to see. Still, it was pleasant.
Later, we did the literary pub crawl, and traipsed through the Duke, the O'Neil, The Stand, and Davy Byrnes', all the while being regaled with tales of the great Irish Writers- Joyce, Wilde, Behan, etc. Very fun, and definitely worth it. Drank a lot of pints as well. Highlights include the story of Oscar Wilde lecturing to Silver Miners in Leadville Colorado, who was so well received by the miners they conspired to get him drunk and leave him at the bottom of the mine. After they had finished three bottles of whiskey, Wilde proclaimed that if you really wanted to get an Irishman drunk, you needed to bring 5 courses, not just three. The narrator was completely thrown by the fact that Judge Cambell, one of our traveling companions, was from Leadville.
Anyone here from Leadville, Colorado?
Yes.
Oh. Really?
Yes.
I see....
We get the sense he was just a bit more polite describing the miners than normal. Wilde's description of the miners was actually very complimentary.
A last bit of wisdom: How do you cross Dublin and not pass a single pub? Go into every one you encounter.
