Dublin

We woke to more sunshine this morning and we Texans are getting credit for it. No need to wear several layers of clothing for awhile anyway. This morning we had a local Dublin tour guide w/ an enchanting accent. We drove around, saw Georgian row houses with colored doors, stopped at a park where the Pope (John Paul) spoke when he was here. Then we spent time in St. Patrick's Cathedral finished in 1192. As we entered (quietly) children were singing Matins. We sat and waited until they finished and then the guide took us to all the noteworthy places and explained things. The stained glass is vibrant is very old. She told us that they spend the equivalent of 1 Million Euros per year restoring the cathedral. The stained glass is taken apart cleaned and re-leaded and replaced in the windows. The organ was out of sight but filled the huge space w/ its haunting sound.

Took several pictures of stained glass, but I think they will be too dark to show the actual beauty of the glass.
The pictures of the outside of the Cathedral should be great, the sun was shining.




We passed a "gas station" with the price posted per litre--- 1.8 Euros which w/ my math skills says 9 euros per gallon and that is about $15 depending on which day you're talking about.--------And we're griping about $3+ for a gallon.

We saw a park w/ a herd of resident deer and the guide told us that lime is placed all around the perimeter of the park and the deer "don't like" lime, so they stay in the park.

Near that park is the house of the president of Ireland. The president is a woman named Mary and she has held the office for 8 and a half years.

After the tour we walked down to the center of town to eat and shop and look around. We had HUGE bowls of Irish stew
( lamb, carrots and potatoes) in a pub and then shopped for some "request gifts". Found just what I was looking for. Found a shirt for me that has a word on it that I use frequently--didn't know it was Irish. EEJIT (idiot)





We visited the BOOK OF KELLS at Trinity University. Very interesting display of how it was done and upstairs was the largest and most unusual library room I've ever seen. Thousands of ancient volumes all in one room w/ an impressive barrel vaulted ceiling.

Later in the trip we'll visit the Isle of Iona where it is supposed to have originated. The Book of Kells is an illuminated set of books of the gospels --Hand decorated and painted by monks. Probably more about this later.

We're back in the room w/ our feet up --we'll head out a little later for fish and chips or shepherd's pie. Nick will download pictures soon and I'll insert them if time permits.

Glad to have you on the trip w/ us. More later---but probably nothing after we leave Dublin for a day or two--too rural.
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