Day 5: Dublin

Day 5       6/30/2017

We left the hotel at 8:00 a.m. and picked up our tour guide in Dublin. Michael had a hurling stick and talked about the game. He had a pretty good repertoire with our bus driver Colm. Some of our group practiced hitting the ball with the flattened ash bat/stick and we continued.

The weather was pretty chilly. It didn't rain, but I think it was the coldest day we've had so far.

Michael spent the morning with us pointing out things in Dublin like where sports are played, government buildings, and churches.

The two Anglican churches, Christchurch and St. Ann's church charge for people to see it. I think I heard that it takes 4000 Euros for Christchurch to run per day.

Towards the end of his time, Michael took us to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. We said our good byes and then saw the exhibit.

The Book of Kells is basically manuscripts of the Gospels from the new testament, created in the 9th century. It did very well to survive in such good condition until the college received it in 1661.

Robert at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin

A Gaelic Harp at Trinity College. The national symbol of Ireland is based on this harp


Afterwards, we split up for lunch. Rob, Jill, Shari, Vicky, Mike, and Jennifer went to the Guinness factory while the rest of us went towards the Natural Museum of Ireland.

We ate and went into the museum for free. Some of the interesting things I saw:


  • Evidence about the Battle of Dublin versus what was taught. (the war probably happened versus the Vikings so they would still pay the King, Brian Boru)
  • Kingship and sacrifices -- Bogs can preserve bodies pretty well if there is no oxygen. I saw 3 preserved remnants of prehistoric people. 
  • Vikings in Ireland -- how did the Vikings change Ireland?
After we were done with the museum, we walked back to our rendez-vous point looking to buy souvenirs.

We met Anne Marie and started a walking tour throughout central Dublin. Some of the information was repeated from the earlier tour, which was OK.

We saw some of the statues including Molly Malone and James Joyce. We also saw the Spire of Dublin, also called the Monument of Light. It was built to help celebrate Dublin's 1000 year anniversary.



We got on the bus and headed towards the evening  meal at the Boar's Head. We had authentic Irish stew and ice cream for dessert.

We headed back to the hotel and prepared for the early wake up call we would get tomorrow to leave Ireland.

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