We checked out, and the hotel held our luggage. We walked to the National Gallery. The National Gallery had easy, free, and self-serve lockers for backpacks. It was big and a little hard to find one's way around. We asked where to find Irish art was and ended up in the Irish photography section. We then found the Irish art. They had a cafe and restrooms.
Vincent van Gogh and the Taking of Pisa.
Next it was back to hotel for luggage; then back to the same area for lunch. I had Bambino pizza again, and Travis had a Tesco sandwich. We pre-booked the Expressway bus, which was in the same area as the National Museum.
We then found the place for our bus pick up. We were on a 1:43 pm at Clare St Cafe Sol, which we determined that this coffe shop was closed down. We found the spot. There were other bus stops (public and other private) with signs, but no sign for Expressway. So, we did not get this reassurance. Since we were early, we went to scope out the other stop that was very close. Though it was on the other side of the street; this was the first stop on the route, and we were the second.
We went back to our stop and waited. We saw it stop at the first stop after the scheduled time. Then we saw another Expressway bus going down the side street. We started worrying that it was not coming back and what to do if our pre-paid bus did not arrive. It finally came and late. Since this was the beginning of the line, it was still very empty. The driver opened the outside suitcase storage that we loaded with our luggage, and then he checked our tickets onboard.
A separate note about all buses/coaches that we were on in Ireland. They expect you to wear a seatbeat. Noting since most buses in the US have no seatbeats.
The Expressway was a good ride. It was supposed to be a 1:10 ride, but was about 40 minutes late in the end after a long stop at the airport where everyone was buying tickets at the stop. It looked like mostly airport employees. There was also some traffic entering Drogheda. We got off at the Drogheda bus station.
It was drizzling a little for our walk to the hostel. Overall, weather was wonderful for our trip to Ireland, very little rain and a nice, cool temperature. So, back to the hostel, this was our first hostel stay experience. I did pick/require a private room with an ensuite bathroom, so we did not get the full experience. After we checked in, she said that she would give us a tour (a tour is required?). She showed us our room, how to get in, some info about it, the outdoor space (though this was frequently smoky, so we did not use it), the living room with TV (we also did not use it, but were only there two nights), and then the kitchen (that we did use a lot) where breakfast items to cook were provided. This was very nice. I got to try the Irish butter that I had read good things about. The kitchen was a good hostel life experience for us.
After a little settling in, we went on a walking tour that was combined from two travel books. A train bridge and Boyne Viaduct that was near our hostel; it was interesting looking. The Hugh DeLacy Bridge pedestrian bridge. St Laurence Gate.
Then we went to the St. Peter's Catholic church. Then the Corn Exchange.
Next, we went to St. Peter's Church of Ireland. Outside the entrance a fish statue. There were people in the parking lot, and they seemed unwelcoming. We did not know if we should explore, but we did explore the graveyard. Ancient grave stones.
Then we headed back toward the hotel with a planned stop at a mall that had a Dunnes grocery store inside for dinner. Unfortunately, all the microwave dinners took 6 to 8 minutes to cook, so we felt getting something that would hog the microwave. But, we settled on Irish beef lasagna for Travis and Mac and cheese for me. We also got some yummy ice cream bars for the kitchen freezer.
Views on the walk back of Martello Tower on Millmount and the River Boyne.
We arrived back at the hostel and started our microwaving. There were others making dinner and coming and going to the TV room or outside. We sat at the table and talked to two ladies -- one from England and one currently studying in Finland, originally from Chiang Mai, Thailand. In Ireland, she was studying nursing for 8 weeks in Drogheda, having a big bowl of Asian soup and Coors glass of milk. The Coors glass was the hostel's but seemed odd with milk served in it.
We had tickets for Bru na Boinne (Newgrange and Knowth) for the next day. The lady from England advised us on the buses; that it looked different than those in Dublin. It was TFI LocalLink, which were white instead. She missed it and Ubered there instead. Needing to be up early, we excused ourselves.
Back in the room, Travis found a picture of the local buses, so that we knew what to look for in the morning.