Day 3 - 1/19/15

 

It was a clear morning so the decision to hoof it to Guinness Brewery was a no brainer since the view from the Gravity Bar was part of the attraction.

 

I had a moment at the name branded gates - it's just not done that way anymore and the pride of their product is quite evident.  Another musical coincidence – “All Night Long” was playing as I waited for my end of tour Guinness to build.   

 

I met a few dogs during the walk back towards downtown – a corgi mix, a Jack Russell and one that looked like a weasel.   

Pre-movie premiere drinks were at the Cellar and I enjoyed the posh little nibbles, service (“Here you go, madam”) and ambiance. 

 

I did geek out a bit when walking into the IFI, there was an actual red carpet.  But then again, it was the Irish premiere of Ex Machina so I should have expected it. 

 

The Q & A afterwards was very interesting and we got both the acting and directing perspectives.  (even a Star Wars joke because even though they know the answer will be NO, people still have to ask)   

And my fortune cookie came true!!!  There are no exact words to describe the situation but I’m glad that I approached him to say hello.  For the “pictures or it didn’t happen” crowd, I have to say that since it’s not like here in the states, I would have made it extremely weird.  We had a nice chat and I tried my best not to be the crazy loud American.  He is SO nice and also seemed genuinely surprised when I told him that the play inspired my trip.  

Day 2 - 1/18/15

Zzzzzzz…..it is Sunday after all!  But the church near the hotel had other plans – the bells, bells, bells ensured that rising and shining happened.

Ironically, brunch was in a restaurant called The Church and afterwards we sat in The Oliver St. John Gogarty Bar (aka Missed Flight) to listen to some traditional music. 

 

The crew split up and I was headed to my first viewing of the Walworth Farce at the Olympia Theatre.  The show did inspire the trip - the way that their careers are going, Domhnall, Brian and Brendan will not be on stage together again for  quite a while (if ever) and I don’t see them bringing it to the states.  If they do, great – I’m in!   

The seats were dead center on the second level and I had a clear view of everything – the orange Y-fronts, the roast chicken, the cardboard coffins, the contortion and the many wigs.   

The show with its “Afternoon Eileen!” deserves another whole entry – it was quite darker than I had expected and the physical acting involved is quite taxing.  I hoofed it to the stage door afterwards and met Brian and Brendan – both very nice!!  Domhnall had used the force and disappeared out the front with friends…. 

 

 

 Post show drinks were at the Brazen Head where the bartender was quite entertaining and we got to meet the author of The Dublin Pubspotters' Guide.  Mac is quite the messer and even offered to pose for a picture with his baby Guinness.