Ireland day 3- In Dublin's fair city

Today was a great day.  We got up and drove to the seaside city of Bray- just minutes from our resort- where we got on a train to Dublin.  The people working there were so friendly- I just can't get over how they go above and beyond to help us.  And they do it with such charm.  Like when Marc said "do I have time to get of the train and grab a drink from the concession?"  Instead of looking irritated and saying "yeah", the man said, "well certainly sir- you could do it walking backwards if you'd like!".  When I order anything at a restaurant they make me feel brilliant.  "I'd like a glass of water," ... "Oh- beautiful!  Excellent- coming right up!"    The children loved the train ride and it was right along the beautiful Irish sea-

Is it not obvious this little guy fits right in in Ireland?!

When we walked out of the train station the very first building we saw was St. Andrew's church- I had wanted to see it because that is where the Tridentine Mass (The Old Latin Mass) is celebrated in Dublin.  And we were happy to start Good Friday off in prayer-

Marky, the Latin translator, helped me read the words, "Behold now the dwelling of God is with men."

"Blessed is the fruit of Thy womb..."

Cute shops along the streets-

Our first official stop was to ancient Trinity College.  Our children have been dying to see The Book of Kells.  We have a book on it and we've watched "The Secret of Kells" several times and they love it!    Tucker tod all kinds of people on the plane, "we are going to Ireland to see the Book of Kells."  Trinity college is a treat in itself- Amber tagged along on a guided tour while I kept our place in line and was able to tell us all the neat stories about the college.

Along with the Book of Kells we saw an exhibit on Brian Boru.

Oh the wonders of an ancient library-

 

After the college tour we found a fascinating place to eat lunch- it was previously the Belfast Bank and had amazingly intricate moldings.  They also had a wonderful piano player and roaring fire.  :)

 

We finally found Christ Church cathedral!  Gorgeous- but sadly, the inside was closed for Good Friday!

 (We are going back later- I will not miss this!)

 

St. Parick's Cathedral was also closed for Good Friday!

We got on a red double decker bus tour and saw all kinds of things like the Irish "White House", the zoo, the old Dublin gate and wall, the home of Arthur Guinness, the king's bridge, and many churches and statues.

We hopped off at Kilmainham Gaol- a place big Marc had been wanting to see.  It's the famous prison where several members of the Easter Rising were executed in 1916.    It was built in 1796 and was cutting edge for a prison and based on the idea of "reforming" prisoners.

 The serpent in chains on the door-

I was shocked at how interesting the museum was- it discussed competing theories on the roles of prisons and what motivated prisoners-

The prison was built light and airy with the thought that men needed to see the sky to think of God and to feel like they are seen by God.  They wanted the men to be drawn to the light.  Solitary confinement and such were in the dark basement.  There was a real association of darkness- bad, light-good.

During the Irish Civil war an Irish nationalist Grace Plunkett was imprisoned for three months- her cell is still there along with the Madonna and Child she painted on the back wall-

The hanging cell created in the late 1800s.  There is a trap door in the floor and hook on the ceiling.  Yikes!

 The cells where the Easter Rising men were kept-

The site of an execution-

 A tower erected honoring the Duke of Wellington's victory over Napoleon at Waterloo-

The Spire of Dublin- almost 400 ft. tall-

Oh, and how excited was Daddy to see the GPO (General Post Office) and headquarters for the leaders in the Easter rising- the bullet holes are still there!

Bullet holes-

We had a great day and learned a lot.  We were exhausted after the tons of walking- sweet Sissy fell asleep on the ride home.  :)  We ate pizza in our hotel room and the children all watched the Lego movie.   Another great day on the Emerald Isle.  :)