Ireland Adventure
Today we started out with a bit of trepidation. Rain was in the forecast. But we packed our rain gear and headed out for the day. First stop was a tour of Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland’ most famous university, founded in 1592 and home to the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells are a beautifully illuminated Latin manuscript of the 4 gospels created in about 800 AD. They are housed in the Trinity library along with thousands of other medieval books. Only a single book and single page of the Kells is viewable at any one time and no pictures are allowed. So you will have to imagine how beautiful the drawings and lettering look or checkout the photo from the samples on the exhibit walls.
We also enjoyed a tour of the campus by one of the students. One of the interesting aspects of campus is that students can take a very difficult and optional exam and if they score high enough (which extremely few do) they are allowed to graze their sheep on the campus green, among other perks. It seems some traditions are never rescinded.
On the way to our next event we couldn’t resist stopping at a wool shop and picking up a couple souvenirs. We will see if more follow.
After that we headed off for a tour of the world famous Guinness brewery. One of the most interesting facts about Guinness is that it has been on its current site since it was formed in 1759. The brewery at its creation was able to sign a 9000 year lease for 45£ per year. Nine thousand years! That is not a typo.
Our next stop was a small city museum called the Chester Beatty Library. Chester was an American mining magnet who made a fortune and eventually settled in Iteland. He began to collect all sorts of ancient middle east artifacts, including a large number of very early Bible manuscripts from Egypt written on papyrus from the 2nd and 3rd centur. It was well worth the hour spent viewing them.
After the library closed we headed over to Christ Church Cathedral for their Evensong service where we heard their wonderful chior perform.
Our last event of the evening was a traditional Irish music set by 2 musicians. Not only did they perform a variety of songs but gave detailed aspects of Irish music including its instruments, history, and role in Irish culture. It was a fun evening that won’t soon be forgotten.
Tomorrow we leave Dublin and head south for Kilkenny and Waterford.
Heather Knapp
20 Blogs
14 Apr 2023
Day 3: Last Day in Dublin
April 28, 2023
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Dublin, Ireland
Today we started out with a bit of trepidation. Rain was in the forecast. But we packed our rain gear and headed out for the day. First stop was a tour of Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland’ most famous university, founded in 1592 and home to the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells are a beautifully illuminated Latin manuscript of the 4 gospels created in about 800 AD. They are housed in the Trinity library along with thousands of other medieval books. Only a single book and single page of the Kells is viewable at any one time and no pictures are allowed. So you will have to imagine how beautiful the drawings and lettering look or checkout the photo from the samples on the exhibit walls.
We also enjoyed a tour of the campus by one of the students. One of the interesting aspects of campus is that students can take a very difficult and optional exam and if they score high enough (which extremely few do) they are allowed to graze their sheep on the campus green, among other perks. It seems some traditions are never rescinded.
On the way to our next event we couldn’t resist stopping at a wool shop and picking up a couple souvenirs. We will see if more follow.
After that we headed off for a tour of the world famous Guinness brewery. One of the most interesting facts about Guinness is that it has been on its current site since it was formed in 1759. The brewery at its creation was able to sign a 9000 year lease for 45£ per year. Nine thousand years! That is not a typo.
Our next stop was a small city museum called the Chester Beatty Library. Chester was an American mining magnet who made a fortune and eventually settled in Iteland. He began to collect all sorts of ancient middle east artifacts, including a large number of very early Bible manuscripts from Egypt written on papyrus from the 2nd and 3rd centur. It was well worth the hour spent viewing them.
After the library closed we headed over to Christ Church Cathedral for their Evensong service where we heard their wonderful chior perform.
Our last event of the evening was a traditional Irish music set by 2 musicians. Not only did they perform a variety of songs but gave detailed aspects of Irish music including its instruments, history, and role in Irish culture. It was a fun evening that won’t soon be forgotten.
Tomorrow we leave Dublin and head south for Kilkenny and Waterford.
1.
Our Ireland Adventure is About to Begin
2.
Day 1: Travel Day (4/24) & Walking Tour (4/25)
3.
Day 2: Dublin
4.
Day 3: Last Day in Dublin
5.
Day 4: Wiclow and Kilkenny
6.
Day 5: Kilkenny to Waterford
7.
Day 6 : Waterford to Skibbereen
8.
Day 7: In & Around Skibbereen
9.
Day 8: Last Day in Skibbereen
10.
Day 9: Driving the Beara Peninsula to Kenmare
11.
Day 10: Driving the Kerry Peninsula
12.
Day 11: Driving the Ring of Dingle
13.
Day 12: Doolin (Cliffs of Moher) to Inishmore
14.
Day13: Touring Inishmore
15.
Day 14: Inishmore to Westport
16.
Day 15: Westport to Derry
17.
Day 16: Touring Northern Ireland (Giants Causeway)
18.
Day 17: Belfast to Slane
19.
Day 18: Touring Boyne Valley (Our last day)
20.
Day 19: Homeward Bound - Dublin to Chicago
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