Done Dublin

The Green Bus Company delivered a wonderful introduction to the city of Dublin. The hop-on-off system allowed us to explore the history & culture of The Republic of Ireland. If there is wealth in this city, it is well hidden. Her drab appearance was consistent with today's weather - grey!

Trinity College, founded by Elizabeth I in 1592, is the guardian of one of Ireland's most treasured possessions, The Book of Kells, The Gospel of the New Testament written entirely in Latin.

The National Library of Ireland receives a copy of every book published in Ireland. She had best be careful what she writes! The Marsh Library is the oldest public library in Ireland. Established in 1702, it contains more than    25 000 volumes & 200 ancient manuscripts.

The National Gallery houses more than 7 000 paintings, drawings & pieces of sculpture. Time didn't permit a visit.

The Houses of Parliament & Government Offices were inaccessible. However, the mantra of the Irish Government to right the country's financial woes is much talked about. 'We've got what it takes to take what you've got!' Sound familiar?

Mansion House has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715. Just twenty-four hours ago the Lord Mayor handed Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese democracy campaigner, the keys to the City of Dublin, a much spoken about event & grand occasion by all reports.

The Guiness Story began in 1759 when Arthur Guiness accidently burnt the barley! This led to the discovery of the now world famous beer. Two hundred & fifty-three years on, 3.5 million pints of Guiness are produced each day. That's a lot of burnt barley to mix with hops, yeast & water.
                                                             

The Ha'penny Bridge, so called because, for one hundred years from 1816 until 1916, pedestrians were charged a half penny per crossing.

Pheonix Park is an area of 200 acres dedicated to sporting fields, mainly Gaelic Football & Hurling, a park known to Dubliners simply as 15 acres! 'Tis desperate, t' understand it I am!'

St Patrick's Cathedral & Collegiate Church, the national cathedral for the Church of Ireland, is dated 1192. It is the largest cathedral in Ireland. In 2006 it's national prominence was used by eighteen Afghan refugees seeking asylum. Their asylum was denied.

The Christ Church Cathedral was the original cathedral of Norse Dublin. Founded in 1030, it is Dublin's oldest building. The medieval crypt includes the tomb of Strongbow, leader of the Normans.

Irish Nobel Prize winners Samuel Beckett, William Butler Yeats & George Bernard Shaw are well respected in the literary community. Dubliners are equally proud of favoured sons, writer, poet & playwright, James Joyce, Oliver Goldsmith & Oscar Wilde.

Equally well known is Molly Malone, the woman who sold mussels & cockles from a street cart during the day & folklore claims other favours after dark. Hence, she became known as Molly Malone, the tart with the cart!

Late this afternoon we joined a Liffey River cruise from the Ha'penny Bridge to East Link Bridge. The commentary was informative, but photo opportunities were limited by the twenty foot flood levees built either side of the waterway & the wet conditions. Worth mentioning is the Harp Bridge dedicated to Samuel Beckett.

We are bewildered by the bus system, more so by its drivers. This morning when boarding the #47 for the city, the driver confirmed we'd require the #47 to return to Ballsbridge. This evening in the city, a bus displaying #47 arrived at 5:30 p.m., the driver confirmed he would be going to Ballsbridge, but would not be departing until 6:00 p.m. The hour ticked over, bus doors open, 'No, this bus doesn't go to Ballsbridge!' We hailed a taxi! I've learnt several choice words since my arrival in Ireland. Words that would colour & add warmth to a dull day! Words that cannot go to print because my mother will read this.

This evening we met Marie, Cousin Patrick & Bridie's daughter & granddaughter, soon to be two year old, Alisha. It was lovely to connect with Marie, who has been my Irish supporter in researching the Sammon/Salmon Family Tree.

Life moves at an unhurried pace in Ireland, but the Irish have been quick to offer to share their homes, their unique culture & heritage. I have loved Ireland. I have loved her people. 'Tis been marvellous altogether 't has!