Our next Irish destination aboard Brilliance of the Seas was Dublin. We wasted little time boarding our next tour, which on this day took us first to Sandycove, a Dublin suburb. Here you’ll find James Joyce Tower and Museum. It was here that James Joyce spent six nights in 1904, and he would later using this setting for the opening of his 1922 novel Ulysses.
From this location, look west across the water for this view of the towers of the National Maritime Museum ( formerly the Mariners’ Church) and old steeple of the St. Michael’s Church in nearby Dún Laoghaire. The original St. Michael’s was destroyed by fire in 1965, so this structure now stands separate from the new church.
St. Michael’s (left); National Maritime Museum of Ireland (foreground tower to the right)
As you head deeply into this area you’ll come across a site of interest. This is Lough Tay, otherwise known as Guinness Lake, as it lays upon the Guinness Estate:
Lough Tay (Guinness Lake)
Beautiful area overlooking the lake
Does this area appear familiar to you? It might if you’re a fan of the 2013 historical drama series The Vikings, which wasfilmed in this area.
Lough Tay
Indeed, your first clue up here, overlooking Lough Tay, would be this set piece:
Leftover set piece from The Vikings
And if you look down below, to the right side of the lake, you’ll find the stand in for Kattegat Village from the series:
Kattegat
Let us take one last look around before heading to our next series destination:
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
The Globe — Murder in Luxury
R. Doug Wicker — Author 