With nothing in particular planned we had a lazy start to our last day. We hadn’t visited various ‘must see’ sights preferring to wander at will absorbing the atmosphere of the city. However, online I had come across a short walk around some of the last vestiges of medieval Dublin and my best friend had mentioned a bridge over the Liffy forged in the foundry of her husband’s forebears in Lancashire, purported to bear said ancestor’s name. We had to include that!

It was sunny and bright but the wind was still cold so wrapped up warmly we retraced my steps to the Chester Beatty library and then on around past Dublin castle, a rather gloomy and rambling affair..

Although someone had had fun with gaily coloured render on attached buildings!

We slowly climbed up Castle street and emerged across from Christ Church cathedral, another imposing but grey building. We pressed on past the Dublinia experience towards St Audoen’s Catholic church.

Walking past it (for now) we turned into the little park next to it and climbed down the steps to Cook street, so called because originally it was a street full of food vendors but outside the contemporary city wall to avoid fires from their many ovens.

Much to Mr McGregor’s confusion we walked east again along the longest surviving stretch of the medieval city wall. Sadly, the celebrated St Audoen’s arch is undergoing restoration so it was impossible to see. Then climbing up again along Schoolhouse lane. Lou’s face was a picture!

Once again in front of the church I nudged himself down to the visitor centre with the bribe of finding him a seat. We got a great welcome from an enthusiastic guide who ushered us in and settled my reluctant husband onto a garden style bench.

Our new friend then rattled through a quick explanation (‘Can you tell I’ve said this before?’) about the age of the building and some of its treasures eg organ, bells (600 years old and still in use!) and tombs. Taking me to look at posters and maps he sensibly thrust a folder into my old man hands before leaving us which allowed me to wander off for a good look around.

St Audoen’s is the oldest church in Dublin and dates from the 12th century. The Liffy used to lick that city wall below it at high tide until the Normans arrived and couldn’t bring their deeper hulled boats within reach. Slowly the river bank was extended to its present location.

Looking down into the nave of the original part of the church I could see Mr McGregor deeply emmersed in a folder. When I rejoined him he told me it was full of expressions still in use and their origins. I half expected him to put it under his coat, he was so enthusiastic!