Some of you may remember that I was offered a PhD at the same time I was offered a job by my current employer. I took the job because it promised me an equal amount of mental stimulation and a healthy wage packet. A year on, things weren't quite as they might have been, and so I decided to see if the offer at UCD was still valid!

A couple of weeks ago, I headed off with the Ladyfink to sunny Ireland to search for some enlightened leprechauns. More specifically, I went to Dublin to seek out a PHD at University College Dublin (UCD).

My journey, unhampered by the 'irish sunshine'(as described by a friendly Irish coach driver) AKA 'Rain', started at Dublin airport, from whence I headed off into Dublin itself (after checking into the Hotel), to do a reconnaissance before Laura arrived on a later flight.

Dublin is cool, but very expensive, and full of shops and bars and restaraunts! :)

Laura arrived, and we enjoyed a very nice meal at a pub in an street called 'Temple Bar', which also has a pub called 'Temple Bar', which was also very nice! :)

The next day Laura went shopping, and I went to see the prof. who said I could have a place! :) Later that day Laura had a meeting to discuss her entry into the BSc Nursing degree, but sadly discovered that she was too late to apply, but theres always next year!

That evening we enjoyed much more Guiness and Kilkenny ale (my favourite!) before eventually heading off back to the hotel for much needed sleep!

The next morning after a dip in the inside/outside pool and sauna at the hotel (very posh) we checked out of the hotel, checked the bags into a storage shop (in o'connell street) and headed off on foot to the Guiness factory! :) This was no mean feat, as we sort of knew where it was, but didn't know where the tourist entrance was. eventually after walking for and extra mile or two, we doubled back on ourselves, and found the place!

The place is very cool, and really well laid out and presented, its marketing team must have had a hand in its tourist centre's theme, and we enjoyed a Guiness at the roofton gravity bar! with a 360° view of Dublin City!

Before long it was time to head home and we got our flight back!

I'm waiting for a written offer of a place, and then i'll be off! Now then, any suggestions on how to tell the boss? :S

UPDATE: 01 Aug 2007

Thanks for the advice regarding telling the boss! Of course I was always going to be nice about it! Who knows what I'll need in the future, and perhaps when UCD realise I'm an idiot, and chuck me out, I'll have to come back groveling for my old job! The letter went along the lines of: Thanks for everything - careful consideration - I'm off - no hard feelings - see you in 4 years. Thankfully, it was taken very well, and I even manged to go to company away day, AND got to partake in the free booze!