Paddy Ryans Pub

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Galway/Horseleap/Dublin: Deardaoin 15th October

They serve a very good full Irish at the Park House Hotel, with probably the most savoury black pudding I have encountered since dining at Olthwaites. After a visit to 3 for a full refund of Kim's Waterford purchase, and an unsuccessful search for a replacement GPS fuse, we turn east for our trip back to Dublin.

The M4 was a great road back and sticking to it would have made our trip swift. Thankfully, however, taking the high road is not on our agenda and we had an unenviable choice to make: Moate or Horseleap. Opting for the latter, we pulled off the M4 and parked outside Paddy Ryans Pub located right on the county border between Offaly and Westmeath. Three old codgers were chewing the fat over a few pints and chasers at a table next to the coal fire. C'mon Eammon, get that down yer fookin' neck, We're going to be fookin' late for t'other fookin' pub if you don't fookin' hurry up.



Back onto the M4 and off. Unfortunately, our instructions for Hertz did not coincide with the available roadway and we spent a very frustrating 90 minutes stuck in Dublin peak hour traffic. Look!, there's the Guinness Storehouse again, better ask for directions. We pulled up in a bicycle lane and sought assistance from a bloke standing outside his furniture shop. Can you tell us where we are? we pleaded. Sure, You'd be in Dublin he grinned. We were very close - It's just up to the next set of lights and turn right ~ so close, yet so far.

Kim successfully argued a reduction in the hire price of the SatNav and we waited for our taxi to The Burlington. The usual blarney went on as we travelled around in circles and sat stuck in traffic - thank God the exchange rate is favourable. We arrived at the hotel where we were given a room at least two minutes walk from the lift. No view to speak of this time.

After a lie down and shower, we were dropped off near Duke Street where we dined on pasta at Carluccios after a bit of a wander around. The Literary Tour swarm disappeared around the corner towards Trinity College as we sat down. Not up for a big night, we started walking back past the multitude of tacsais all hoping for a fare. A few drivers were getting a bit testy and words were being exchanged over maurauding rights.

We turned right near St Stephens Green and asked assistance of a woman at the bus stop opposite the park. There's no doubt about the Irish, they love a bit of a chat, and she had found her match in Kim. Life stories were exchanged, and Moira told us of her goddaughter Lucy in Melbourne. What a coincidence. She enquired of our travel and when told of our imminent trip to Paris on Saturday replied That sounds Smashing! Two Euros 30 for our ride right back to The Burlington. I hope those taxi drivers don't hear about this. They'll be out of business and will have to start producing daughters.