Top of the morning to ya! Nobody has said that to me, but it sounds so Irish. Too many old U. S. Movies.
I relaxed this morning and then bought a multi-day ticket for the Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off. I rode all the way around, which took almost two hours. It was a beautiful, relaxing day. It gave me an idea of the lay of the land and where I want to go tomorrow. We had a delightful bus driver with a heavy brogue. He told us many funny things about Ireland, including the fact that there are 772 bars in Dublin and only 336 churches.
After I left the bus, I walked through Páirc Fhaiche Stiabhna, also known as Saint Stephen’s Green. The name St Stephen’s Green originates from a church called St Stephen’s in that area in the thirteenth century. A leper hospital was attached to the church. Around this time, the area was a marshy piece of common ground where city citizens grazed livestock. Today it is an exquisite park open to the public.
John's Lane Church, officially named the Church of St. Augustine and St. John the Baptist, is a historic Roman Catholic church built in 1874 on the site of St. John's Hospital (1182 AD), which was served by the Augustinian Order of friars, who are still serving this Church. The steeple is the highest in Dublin, standing at over 200 feet. I thought the facade of this Gothic church was the most intriguing church I have seen.
Look at the gorgeous iron work.
A statue honors Molly Malone, a character from a popular song. The song tells the fictional tale of a fishwife who plied her trade on Dublin's streets and died young of a fever. In the late 20th century, a legend grew that a historical Molly lived in the 17th century. She is typically represented as a hawker by day and a part-time prostitute by night. But she has also been portrayed as one of the few chaste female street hawkers of her day. No evidence suggests the song is based on a real woman in the 17th century or any other time. The name "Molly" originated as a familiar version of the names Mary and Margaret. Many such "Molly" Malones were born in Dublin over the centuries, but no evidence connects any of them to the events in the song. Nevertheless, the Dublin Millennium Commission in 1988 endorsed claims about a Mary Malone who died on 13 June 1699, and proclaimed 13 June "Molly Malone Day.” The song has become Dublin's unofficial anthem.
I had an incredible dinner at Chez Max. I started with an excellent Pouilly-Fuissé, a dry, full-bodied white wine. It is made exclusively with Chardonnay grapes, and I intensely dislike the oak flavor of American Chardonnay. French Chardonnay has no wood taste, and it was delicious.
I started with Soupe à l'Oignon
French Onion Soup, served with Emmental Cheese and Croûtons on the side. It was sweet, savory, and rich, balancing the natural sugars of slow-cooked onions with a robust, aromatic beef broth. Yum!
For my main course, I ordered the Suprême de Poulet & Légumes Provençaux, which was described as
Slow-roasted Chicken Supreme, Provençale vegetable tian, sarladaise Potato, Olives & Basil dressing. The pan-fried chicken supreme had crispy, golden, perfectly seasoned skin and soft, succulent white meat. Every ingredient added another layer of balanced flavor. The basil sauce had just enough tartness to make me want to lay my face in the dish and inhale. This was the best chicken dish that I have ever eaten.
I waddled back to my room in bliss.
I bid you good night and God Bless!
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