Day 93: Tinahely (Dublin)

Living next to the Wicklow National Park and not setting foot in it seems like a crime… but don't worry, don't call the police. Today's plan was Dublin, and not for spontaneous tourism, but for a special mission: Aunt Mariola was under pressure from her mother to "see the city" no matter what. And when Mom gives an order, there's no Plan B.

So we set off at 10, heading north, on roads so narrow that if a car comes in the opposite direction you have to decide who goes to the gym to shrink. After an hour and a half of curves and green landscapes, we arrived in Dublin and parked in an indoor car park. The bad thing: it cost more than five euros per hour. The good thing: it was right in front of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, very elegant she was, as if saying "welcome, but don't forget to pay the car ticket".

First walk: St Patrick's Cathedral. Entry at ten euros per person, so Papi Edu and I stayed outside, in a beautiful park next door. I dedicated myself to observing the pigeons (very closely) while the others took an express visit inside.

Then we went to Temple Bar. Don't let the name fool you: it's not just a bar, it's a whole neighbourhood full of cobbled streets, pubs with colourful facades and live music at all hours. A place so photogenic that even I would pose (if they gave me sausages).

We continued to City Hall and then crossed the River Liffey over the famous Ha'penny Bridge. A long time ago, it cost half a penny to cross it; now it's free, but it's still just as beautiful, with its white structure and its history hanging in the air.

On Grafton Street, the street of shops and street performers, the humans fell into a restaurant with a "tourist menu". Mexican waiters, conversation in Spanish and me under the table waiting for someone to drop something... which, unfortunately, didn't happen.

Then my favourite moment arrived: St Stephen's Green park. A green oasis in the heart of the city, with lakes, flowers and squirrels clearly unaware of the canine danger. There we saw the famine sculpture: emaciated bronze figures that recall the victims of the Great Famine of the 19th century. Even I was silent... and that's even though my favourite topic is food.

Time to go back. Another hour and a half of narrow roads, but with a stop in Blessington for coffee and cake (happy humans = happy dog) and a final sprint through Aldi for the dinner shopping.

Last night with the aunts. Between laughs, anecdotes and after-dinner conversation, the day ended with the same certainty as always: Dublin is beautiful... but a good nap at home is unbeatable.