Dublin, Ireland
As day turned light the Endeavour entered the River Liffey and berthed at the quay in Dublin. Under brilliant skies we toured the republic of Ireland’s capital town and surrounds.
Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, its forty acres originally located outside old Dublin. Today trucks delivered kegs of Guinness for an annual spring celebration here in the heart of the city. At the college’s library we examined an outstanding exhibit of monk-scripted illuminative manuscripts entitled, ‘Turning Darkness into Light’.
The Book of Kells, undoubtedly the prized possession, is a beautifully illustrated calligraphy of the four Gospels from the beginning of the 9th century, created by dedicated monks of Iona, an island we’ll be visiting in two days. Pigments derived from chalk, gum, fruits, plants, minerals and even insects were carefully applied with swan feather quills and marten fur brushes to prepared calfskins called vellum. The Book’s paintings, Celtic patterns, painted letters and Latin text required the hides of 185 calves!
Emerging from the darkened manuscript room we entered the dramatic Long Room of the library, light playing through windows under a high vaulted ceiling. Marble busts, shelves of ancient texts, and the oldest surviving harp, a national symbol, fill this memorable room. At the National Museum we marveled at Bronze Age gold ornaments and other artifacts while treading a story-filled hundred-year-old mosaic floor.
On a tour through the city we viewed striking Georgian architecture, beautiful gated parks and the city’s landmark cast iron Ha’penny Bridge (pictured). We also passed the hotel where James Joyce met his wife, the childhood home of Oscar Wilde and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, we toured the countryside visiting Malahide Castle and St. Kevin’s Monastery at Glendalough.
We were enlightened by many ideas of Ireland today and enjoyed time for the inspiration of an Irish coffee, whiskey or stout as well.
As day turned light the Endeavour entered the River Liffey and berthed at the quay in Dublin. Under brilliant skies we toured the republic of Ireland’s capital town and surrounds.
Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, its forty acres originally located outside old Dublin. Today trucks delivered kegs of Guinness for an annual spring celebration here in the heart of the city. At the college’s library we examined an outstanding exhibit of monk-scripted illuminative manuscripts entitled, ‘Turning Darkness into Light’.
The Book of Kells, undoubtedly the prized possession, is a beautifully illustrated calligraphy of the four Gospels from the beginning of the 9th century, created by dedicated monks of Iona, an island we’ll be visiting in two days. Pigments derived from chalk, gum, fruits, plants, minerals and even insects were carefully applied with swan feather quills and marten fur brushes to prepared calfskins called vellum. The Book’s paintings, Celtic patterns, painted letters and Latin text required the hides of 185 calves!
Emerging from the darkened manuscript room we entered the dramatic Long Room of the library, light playing through windows under a high vaulted ceiling. Marble busts, shelves of ancient texts, and the oldest surviving harp, a national symbol, fill this memorable room. At the National Museum we marveled at Bronze Age gold ornaments and other artifacts while treading a story-filled hundred-year-old mosaic floor.
On a tour through the city we viewed striking Georgian architecture, beautiful gated parks and the city’s landmark cast iron Ha’penny Bridge (pictured). We also passed the hotel where James Joyce met his wife, the childhood home of Oscar Wilde and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, we toured the countryside visiting Malahide Castle and St. Kevin’s Monastery at Glendalough.
We were enlightened by many ideas of Ireland today and enjoyed time for the inspiration of an Irish coffee, whiskey or stout as well.
