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.
Just a few minutes’ walk from this Martello fortification is Sandycove Beach, which offers a charming area on which to sit and enjoy the views:
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.
Next our tour group headed south, into the Wicklow Mountains.
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:
Does this area appear familiar to you? It might if you’re a fan of the 2013 historical drama series The Vikings, which was filmed in this area.
Indeed, your first clue up here, overlooking Lough Tay, would be this set piece:
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:
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 