Started the day on time, but it was still hard to get up. Breakfast is included in our room rate. Normally that means a simple continental and maybe some scrambled eggs and sausage. Here it meant a waffle bar, omelet bar, a hot bar with everything to make your own Full Irish (same thing as a full English) and many other items. Just kept it simple and had some eggs, sausage and toast. Jerry added yogurt.
I have been a little preoccupied because Tarragon is not responding well to the cat sitter, hasnt let her pet him yet, which is a bit unusual. He is not around other people but typically after the second day he does at least one some petting. I am trying not to stress about it, but it is pretty hard, he is the only child after all.
Anyway, first stop was Trinity College and the Old Library and Book of Kells. We took the Luas to the college, it was pretty simple and not crowded as it was early Sunday morning, and I am pretty sure the rest of Dublin was sleeping offs last nights pub crawl. Located in the heart of
the Trinity College campus, the Old Library contains Irelands largest collection of books and Manuscripts, the oldest being the Book of Kells. The book dates to the 9th century and only four original pages are on display at any one time. I really didnt know what the Book of Kells was before we began our research for this trip, but basically is painted version of the gospels.
The first floor is dedicated to the Book of Kells and some other religious manuscripts, however, the more visual is on the second floor. This is where the Long Room is located. A long room with stacks (two stories) of books on either side. In addition, there are busts of philosophers and important figures associated with the college. For you Harry Potter fans, it has the vibe
Our schedule was so tight for ticketed items during the first part of the day, we had to set an alarm for the time we needed to leave the Old Library and head for Dublin Castle. It was a leisure walk and we took a different route so we could see another section of old Dublin. We walked by the statute of Molly
We arrived a bit early for our tour, so Jerry took some pictures of the outside of Dublin Castle and I took the opportunity to rest my ankles and back. (There is more on this later). There is very little left of the original Medieval Castle, basically a tower and the chapel. The rest has been rebuilt over the years. During British Rule it was the home of the Viceroy of Ireland now it serves as a museum and state dinners and events are still held there. One hall has pictures of all of the Presidents of Ireland. Ireland has not been Republic that long only since 1922, when they finally won their independence from the Crown. Ireland has had two women presidents and we cant manage to get one.
Next up on the tour was a walk back to Stephens Green. Our path took us down the main shopping street of Dublin, Grafton St. By this time, it was noon, so the crowds were building, pubs filling and street performers, performing. We stopped and got a few items for
friends and our Ireland refrigerator magnet. Stephens Green is a green space that up until 1664 was the sight of public executions and the burning of witches. In 1880 it was redesigned to the park it is today. We did not go in but walked along the edge on our way to Merrion Square.
Along the way we passed the most luxurious hotel in Dublin, The Shelbourne now owned by the Marriott. We also passed by a very small Huguenot Cemetery (maintained by the French). Huguenots were French Protestants, most of which were forced to leave France during the reign of Louis XIV. I believe the majority of them went Quebec, but a fair amount also settled in Charleston S.C., as the oldest Huguenot Church in the U.S. is located there.
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