There are many ways to get around to see Dublin and learn about the place and it’s history. Tried one of the newer ones the other day – The Liffey River Cruises. This one is unusual to say the least. Anybody who knows the vista of Dublin from the Quays, perhaps from driving along, will be surprised as to how much lower this is; and yet how much more you see! There are departure times given, but... in true Irish style, there is a caveat: depending on water levels, weather and tide, (so the Tee-times on the golf course are still the only things operating 200% on time) We arrived a little early, hoping that we could leave early (since we filled the boat) – but, ah no – the water level was that high, that it was impossible to fit underneath most bridges. Even after we departed at our appointed time, we could hear the antennae (at least that’s what we were told it was) scraping along the underside of the bridges. Fair play to our captain, to fit the boat under the bridges with only an inch or two to spare!
Our guide, Richard, was well experienced and his lighthearted and yet extremely knowledgeable style made the time just fly by. Our 45-minute trip seemed to be over far too quickly, but it covered the whole stretch from the Clarence Hotel to the Point Depot (soon to be re-named The O2) at the East Link Bridge and back; a trip that, if anybody remembers, in the pre-Port-Tunnel days could easily take 45 minutes by car! It covered all the permanent features, as well as the changing ones. The “Jeannie Johnston” for example was in port when we took the trip and had even got visitors on the other side of the river: the German sail training-vessel “Gorch Fock” and one of the Irish Navy ships.
It might be a good idea to follow up the bird’s-eye-view from the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Storehouse with the swan’s-eye-view (yes, there are swans and at times even seals to keep you company) from the Liffey River Cruises, though perhaps not on the same day.