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Thursday, September 10, 2026

Ireland: Dublin Revisited (We Walk to Bray Head)

After Glasgow we spent two weeks in Ireland, we didn't have time to blog that part of the trip, which also happened to be the least remarkable part of our spring trip. We went home for July and August on a roundtrip ticket from Dublin. Now we are back in Dublin for one night before going to the Dolomites. As our flight arrived in Dublin in the early morning, we had time to take the suburban train to Bray, built in the 1800s that was supposed to rival Brighton, though it reminded me more of Llandudno, Wales.

We ascended the hill at the end of town. The coast walk to Greystones was mostly closed. They were fixing a rock slide; nevertheless, a very good outing. Back in town, Dublin seemed much busier than when we were here at the end of June/beginning of July. For one thing, all the university students are back, though Dublin remains underwhelming for me.

After an uneventful direct flight (with a tasty Veg Meal) from RDU to DUB, TFI Bus 24 brought us right to Dublin city center, just a 10 minute walk from our room.
TFI Bus 24 Brings Us From DUB Airport to City Center  - Dublin, Ireland

We Walk Across River Liffey Towards Our Room - Dublin, Ireland

Sun-Ling walk across Capel Street Bridge towards Sunlight Chambers with friezes by Conrad Dressler - Dublin, Ireland

As we walked from our room to Tara Street Railway Station, there was still evidence in the Temple Bar district of last weekend's UNC vs TCU NCAA football game.
UNC vs TCU Flags - Gogarty's Temple Bar Hostel - Aer Lingus College Football Classic - Dublin, Ireland

The DART train, in a retro olive card livery, delivered us to Bray (Daly) Station.
TFI DART - Bray Daly Railway Station - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

And we headed directly over to the Bray Seafront Promenade.
Bray Promenade at Bray Seafront - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Bandstand - Bray Promenade at Bray Seafront - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Bray Seafront and Bray Beach - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Soon we were walking up to the Stone Cross atop Bray Head.
Bray Seafront and Bray Beach - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

View to Bray from Bray Head - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Almost at the Stone Cross at the Summit of  Bray Head - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

After a short rest and admiring the view from the Stone Cross, we plunged/scrambled down a "rogue" trail to the Bray Greystones Cliff Walk down below, just above the Irish Sea.
View to Bray Beach from the  Stone Cross at the Summit of  Bray Head - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

View to Irish Sea as We Walk from Bray Head Summit Down to Lord Meath's Lodge on the Scenic Bray Head Cliff Walk - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

View to Irish Sea as We Walk from Bray Head Summit Down to Lord Meath's Lodge on the Scenic Bray Head Cliff Walk - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

The scramble down to the seaside trail left us energized, dirty, and tousled. ;-)
Dirty and Tousled on the Bray Head Cliff Walk after Scrambling Straight Down from Bray Head Stone Cross - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

The Cliff Walk path was closed to Greystones, bummer, but we saw a passing train as we headed back to Bray, cool, and a ferry out at sea.
This Section of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is Closed - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

A DART Train Passes Below -  Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

"Isle of Inisheerm" Belonging to Irish Ferries as Seen from the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

On the way back to Bray we passed an "Elvis, Metal Storm, and Vixen" trail signpost. Haha.
Elvis,  Metal Storm,  and Vixen - Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

And soon we were back at the promenade, then over the footbridge to the station.
Bray Seafront and Bray Beach - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Bray Seafront and Bray Beach - Day Trip to Bray - Dublin, Ireland

Bray (Daly) Station Footbridge - Dublin, Ireland

Sunday, September 06, 2026

Glasgow: Around Town

In the 1800s, the population of Glasgow increased 1000%, evidenced by the fairly uniform style, Georgian (neo-classical) buildings, in massive numbers. The most prominent architect was referred to as Alexander "Greek" Thomson. Though not our favorite style, we still went to see a mansion he designed; the National Trust Holmwood House. I later realized only such a vast amount of construction can give rise to exceptional minds like the Mackintoshes.

Besides Mackintoshes, we also loved the Kibble Palace at the Botanical Gardens and the University Cloisters. However, the Glasgow Subway was the real surprise. Built originally in 1896, it was never expanded, and it is a hobbit subway. I feel like I have to duck to get in. Taller people must duck. The cars are new and orange, but it's like sitting in a kindergarten room. It only has 15 stations, and a total of 10+ km long. We actually used it a number of times. Every time we got in the car, I had to suppress the giggles rising up in me.

We arrived at the Glasgow Queen Street Station. The adjacent George Square, the Heart of Glasgow, was closed for renovation.
Leaving Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station - George Square is Closed for Renovations - Glasgow, Scotland

After checking in to the Social Hub Hotel, we took the Clockwork Orange Subway to the western part of the city.
Clockwork Orange - Glasgow, Scotland

Day One - Glasgow, Scotland

The highlight of the Botanic Gardens is the 19th-century Kibble Palace glasshouse.
Kibble Palace - Botanic Gardens - Glasgow, Scotland

Kibble Palace - Botanic Gardens - Glasgow, Scotland

Dome of Kibble Palace - Botanic Gardens - Glasgow, Scotland

Kibble Palace - Botanic Gardens - Glasgow, Scotland

This is Grosvenor Terrace, typical 19th-century Georgian upscale terrace (row) housing.
Grosvenor Terrace - Glasgow, Scotland

Polymath and muralist artist Alasdair Gray has a highly visible presence in the West End. First below is one of his many murals at Ubiquitous Chip Restaurant. Second below, a mural in the nearby Hillhead Subway Station.
Ubiquitous Chip Restaurant Mural by Alasdair Gray - Glasgow, Scotland

Hillhead Subway Station Mural by Alasdair Gray - Glasgow, Scotland

The Art Deco Landmark "The Beresford" (1938). Nice!
The Art Deco  Landmark The Beresford (1938) -  Day Two - Glasgow, Scotland

Charing Cross Mansions
Charing Cross Mansions - Day Two - Glasgow, Scotland

Streets
Streets - Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow Royal Infirmary - Glasgow, Scotland

Grand Hall of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
"Floating Heads (Expressions)"  (2006) by  Sophie Cave - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral - Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Cathedral - Glasgow, Scotland

Mosque, School, and Community Center.
Ibrahim Masjid aka Madrassa Al Arabia Al Islamia - Glasgow, Scotland

Atlantes at the Grand Entrance to 146 Argyle Street (1903)
Atlantes at the Grand Entrance to  146 Argyle Street  (1903) - Glasgow, Scotland

Around the University of Glasgow. Second and Third below are the Hunterian Museum.
Gilbert Scott Building - University of Glasgow - Glasgow, Scotland

Main Hall of the Hunterian Museum - University of Glasgow, Scotland

Grand Staircase Inside the Hunterian Museum - University of Glasgow, Scotland

Gilbert Scott Building - University of Glasgow - Glasgow, Scotland

The Cloisters - Gilbert Scott Building - University of Glasgow - Glasgow, Scotland

McMillan Round Reading Room - Around the University of Glasgow - Glasgow, Scotland

Floating Heads (Expressions) Installation (2006) by Sophie Cave in the Main Hall of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
"Floating Heads (Expressions)"  (2006) by  Sophie Cave - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow, Scotland

Windows in the West (1993) by Scottish artist Avril Paton (1st below), and VE Day (1945) by L. S. Lowry (2nd below), at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
"Windows in the West" (1993) by Scottish artist Avril Paton - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow, Scotland

"VE Day" (1945) by  L. S. Lowry - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow, Scotland

The Lost Socks Laundry Room at our hotel.
The Lost Socks Laundry Room - Glasgow, Scotland

We took a train to Cathcart in the suburbs to visit the Holmwood House (1857), designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson
We Visit Holmwood House (1857) - Designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson - Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland

We Visit Holmwood House (1857) - Designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson - Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland

We Visit Holmwood House (1857) - Designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson - Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland

The Big Board at Glasgow Central Station
The Big Board at Glasgow Central Station - Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland

Rainbow Road - Merchant City, Glasgow
Rainbow Road - Merchant City, Glasgow, Scotland

One of the ubiquitous Cafe Neros.
Cafe Nero -  Glasgow, Scotland

The Historic Art Deco Former Paramount Cinema, and Former Odeon Cinema (1934) - Now The Reel House
The Historic Art Deco Former Paramount Cinema, and Former Odeon Cinema (1934) -  Now The Reel House - Glasgow, Scotland

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Ireland: Dublin Revisited (We Walk to Bray Head)

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