After landing in two continents (Australia and Asia) and crossing a third (Europe) we are now on the island of Ireland.

Ireland, also known as Eire, The Republic of Ireland, The Emerald Isle, Land of Saints and Scholars, Erin’s Isle. For a few years before the Global Financial Crisis also referred to as The Celtic Tiger.

A population of about 4.8 million on a land area of 70,000 sq km. (This does not include Northern Ireland, a different country altogether). New Zealand has a similar population of 4.6 million but nearly four times the area at 268,000 sq km.

And it is raining.  Of Course. We had been warned. After checking into our hotel we were desperate to stay awake until at least 7pm so went out for an exploratory walk. It was very grey when we started and soon it was persisting down, so have retreated to our room. The hotel is one of a row of large Georgian houses built in the late 1700s in Parnell Square. We have a lovely large, redecorated room overlooking the street and the Garden of Remembrance opposite. This is the national site commemorating  the 1916 Easter Rising that led to the founding of the Irish Free State.

It was thirty hours exactly from take off at Wellington until landing in Dublin. Only three or fours hours of fitful sleep so we are a bit shattered. All flights on schedule and Emirates are an excellent airline so it was as good as a long haul flight in economy can be. Our bags were checked right through from Wellington to Dublin so had very easy and quick transfers at Melbourne and Dubai.

The streets around the hotel are full of women all in their running gear. Today was a bank holiday in Ireland and also the 35th running of the VNI Womens’ Mini Marathon. A 10km run through the streets of the city. 33,000 entrants!

Only took a few photos in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.