IRELAND: A Taste of Dublin's Highlights

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland at the mouth of the River Liffey.

I couldn't decide which of Dublin's most famous claims to fame I should start this journal entry with.

It was between Christchurch Cathedral, The Book of Kells, or at the other end of the spectrum, Guinness beer, Irish whiskey, or Temple Bar.

I decided that the Book of Kells would be the winner.

The Book of Kells is considered one of the most famous artefacts in the world. 

(Once again, I am seriously wondering where I was when they taught this in school?!)

The Book of Kells is an illuminated religious manuscript from the medieval period. 

Written in ornate Latin text, it contains the four Gospels of the New Testament and was crafted by the Celtic monks in the Columban monastery on the Scottish island of Iona, circa 800. 

While many stunning illuminated manuscripts were made during this time, the Book of Kells is remarkable for its highly detailed illustrations.

The manuscripts' pages contain vibrantly hued depictions of Christ and his followers, bordered by intricate Celtic knots and other designs. 

There is beautiful attention to detail.

It is believed to have been created as a showpiece for the altar, not for daily use, because more attention was given to the artwork than the text. 

The text was copied onto calf vellum by trained scribes. 

You can't take photos of the book itself as it is kept in a super tightly controlled museum room, but leading into the room are fantastic displays and explanations of the ornate workmanship. 

The Book of Kells resides in Trinity College, Ireland's oldest College.

It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I.

Trinity College is also home to the Long Room, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. 

It is home to 250,000 of Trinity College’s most ancient books.

The Brian Boru harp is the national symbol of Ireland. It is pictured on Ireland’s coinage and many national badges and symbols. It has been displayed in Trinity College for over 200 years. It is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps, covered in fine and intricate carved and coloured decoration.

Christ Church Cathedral, one of 3 cathedrals in Dublin, is the diocesan cathedral of the Church of Ireland for almost 1,000 years.

The cathedral was founded in the early 11th century under the Viking king Sitrix Silkenbeard. (I must have been sleeping through that class too.)

It was rebuilt in stone in the late 12th century.

A partial collapse in the 16th century left it in poor shape and the building was extensively renovated and rebuilt in the late 19th century. 

Because it took so long to complete you can see the different styles of architecture. Here you can see a Gothic arch beside a Roman arch,

Another historical site is Dublin Castle, one of the most important buildings in Irish history.

Constructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement Dublin Castle served for centuries as the seat of English rule in Ireland. 

It was the residence for the British monarch’s Irish representative, called the Viceroy of Ireland, and was a ceremonial and administrative centre. There are many places where you can see the icons from the 3 countries - Irish clover, Scottish thistle and the English rose.

In 1922, following Ireland’s independence, Dublin Castle was handed over to the new Irish government. It is now a major government complex and a key tourist attraction. 

There has been a chapel at Dublin Castle since at least 1242. 

Following Irish independence in 1922, it lay dormant before becoming a Roman Catholic church in 1943. It is now deconsecrated. 

Another highlight for me was the emigration museum, called EPIC. 

It covers the mass migration from Ireland to primarily, England, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

Outside the emigration museum is a monument to the plight of the Irish during the great potato famine of 1845. 

The starvation and emigration due to the potato blights had a huge impact on Ireland and the new worlds they fled to. 

The Ha'penny bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge over the River Liffey. It was built in 1816 and is one of the earliest cast iron bridges of its kind. The bridge provides a shortcut from the Temple Bar to the North Quays. It is known as the Ha'penny Bridge because anyone crossing was charged a toll of a half penny. The toll was dropped in 1919.

Near one of the entrance's to Liberty College, by sheer coincidence I am sure, is the Irish Whiskey Museum. 

My sister Marie led John and I astray and we joined their guided tour through the history of Irish whiskey making. At the end we were able to sample several different makers of Irish whiskey.

For those wishing to enhance their knowledge of whiskey further, the Jameson tour in their old distillery covers Jameson's history and whiskey making. 

Once again Marie led us astray. She said it was for purely educational purposes.

We also did a Guinness Brewery tour. This is really just a huge self guided museum with lots of tourists eager to confirm if its true that Guinness beer really tastes better in Ireland. 

We did opt for the overpriced tour where we learned how to pour a perfect Guinness beer. Save your money, skip it and just go to a pub and enjoy your Guinness.

Another famous (alcohol related) area in Dublin is Temple Bar. 

Often compared to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, this is Dublin's famous party hub. 

We are Gray Nomads and since late night revelry was past our bedtime, I can not attest to the validity of the wild nightlife statement first hand.

P.S. If you are interested in more on the Book of Kells check out this link:   https://www.thecollector.com/what-is-the-book-of-kells/