Back to Dublin & the Book of Kells

Our four hour trip back from Galway on Sunday morning was split at about the half way point with a stop at an old monastery. We saw a video about the history of the sacred grounds, saw some of the Celtic crosses that were now indoors to help preserve them, and then we wandered the grounds. (The tour guide seemed all too eager to get back inside after she gave her speil.)There were some wonderful old structures and tombstones from centuries ago. The most modern structure was one erected for Pope John Paul's visit a few dozen years ago. As always, it was bitter cold as we walked the frozen grounds. Even as we left at noon the frost on the grass and roads had not melted, despite the sun shining. As I mentioned previously, the waitress at breakfast in Galway called it just, "desperate" when describing the cold and the weather. I'm not a big fan of the cold, by the way. I've been cold since arriving in Ireland!

We arrived back in Dublin around 2pm and after checking into Jury's Inn, Christ Church, we walked a few blocks to a good Italian place for a late lunch. They seem to serve chips (fries) with everything. I did not think my chicken smothered in a red sauce would come with chips, but alas, it did. It is not unusual to actually have two potato side dishes. That has been an adjustment for the students when dining at their host families homes. It is still a surprise to me, but I haven't been one to turn down a good side dish, especially one high in carbs!

We decided to walk off our meal with a trip down Dane Street towards Trinity College. Since we still hadn't fit in a visit to the Book of Kells, we decided to check it out. Since it was 3:30, we had an hour before close. It turned out to be a good time to go as there was not a line and we could walk right in and see the Book up close. It was truly amazing when you read the display describing the process of creating the Book and also the preservation of it for over 1000 years. It was very cool. When leaving the secured, darkened room that contained the Book, we climbed stairs to the Long Room in the Old Library of Trinity College. It is appropriately named since it is 65 meters in length. It was originally only one story when it was built, but in the 1850's the shelves were full so they raised the roof to a barrel-vaulted ceiling and added another floor, which overlooks the main floor. The room now holds 200,000 of the library's oldest books. Some of the books open for display behind glass were from the 1400's and 1500's. Annie and I both love books, so we were loving this room. It was very overwhelming with the size of the room and the number of books contained therein. I thought of my friend Melba, the librarian, and how much she would have enjoyed the Long Room.

After we closed up the Library shop, buying some great gifts for family and friends, we drifted to Grafton Street and took in some of the street musicians and ducked into a few of the stores. I finally got some postcards to send to my nieces and nephews and now have to sit down and actually get them written and sent before I depart in a week. We ended up at a little coffee shop for tea/coffee and a chocolate dessert that we shared. I think the workers were more impressed with their little shop than they should have been. They got Annie's coffee order wrong and seemed to be bothered when we asked for a spoon and for cream. We are such the demanding tourists. There was a bit of an attitude by the Russian immigrant who, upon learning how to use the big fancy coffee machine, called herself a barista. We were not impressed.