Travels with Marti--Ireland,Italy,Cuba,..across the country: Dublin- day 1

We have arrived in Dublin and found where we are staying though we can't check in.

Started with the hop on/off bus. A great way to see a city.

Our first stop is to view the book of Kells at Trinity College which was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I.

The library was built in 1712. Here are 226,000 books, bound in leather and written by the famous writers, that loom way over our heads in their stacks. We weren't allowed to take picutres but it is a librarian's dream. These are only the oldest books as there are over 3 million books that are housed in 8 other buildings. But the most important book here is the book of Kells written over 1000 years ago. This book contains the four gospels written in Latin and lavishly decorated and dating back to the time of 521-597 AD. Hard to believe....

On a side note. Marsha's library as it is called 300years ago and is housed near St Patrick's Cathedral. It houses 250 manuscripts and 25,000 15th-18th century books. To read these books you were locked in cages with the books you wished to read.

We next stopped at the Bank of Ireland bought for 50,790 pounds in 1801 from the government since there was no need for it as a parliament after the act of Union. It was built in 1729. Here inside is where the House of Lords met. The room hosts a chandelier of waterford crystal and tapestries depicting the Battle of Boyne and the Seige of Derry on the walls.

We went inside Christ Church but the tour wasn't for a while and there was a charge to go in to see the rest of the church.

We moved on to lunch.

I can't turn this but I try to always add something to my blog that is a little different. I found that this is a norm to have packets for all the condiments.- vinegar is for you chips!

Our trip continued to Dublin castle which was closed due to these guys practicing for the inauguration ceremony for the newly elected President Michael D. Higgins scheduled in the next week . We plan to come back tomorrow for the tour. The castle was closed when I came 2 years ago with Ellen.

This is the church off the court yard.

Just breath taking as you can see.

The beautiful wood carvingswith names of lords and knights dating back to the 1300s. If you look to the left side of the picture you can see the date of 1343 then 1494 with names under it.

The other end with the organ.

This is the back side of the castle. The three muskateers- Bob, Wendy, and David.

This is also the back yard where there are gardens and if you look closely you can see the pattern of Ireland on the field. This is also used for a helicopter pad.

Our final stop for the day was to the Guinness Brewery and storehouse founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness and the largest stout producing brewery in the world. This plant spans over 60 acres.

Some of the storage.

Inside are the exhibits explaining how the beer is made. This one is demonstrating about how pure the water is that is used. The beer is perfect at a temperature of 42 degrees for the blend- any waarmer and you will get a sharp bitter taste. I tried to make sure I drank mine fast so it was the right temperature!!! Right guys?? ( they had to wait for me to finish mine.- even Wendy beat me)

I am looking down at where our tour started. Inside the ring is the original lease giving Arthur Guinness the site for 9000 years! ( That ought to cover it!) These were singers from Sweden that were on tour.

On the top of the brewery there is a 360 degree bar where you can sit and enjoy the free pint along with the city sites.

another angle.

Here we have the trouser press. or whatever you need pressed. This again is often found in your hotel room. I haven't seen many of these in the states, have you?

Our room in Dublin..very nice room. This is the typical bed that will have just a comforter inside the duvet cover and a pillow. There is a bottom sheet covering the mattress but no top sheet ever.

Off for a dinner and a stroll around the city.

I was amazed that everywhere were Christmas decorations. They decorated the day after Holloween.
I know that we do some in the states but not like they do here.

It is still wonderful to see the flowers along the streets.

Here is another site that is unusual. Rent a bike. There are many spots around the city like this. You put a coin in the machine for the amount of time you think you need the bike for, then place the ticket to release the bike. You can return the bike to any other spot around the town when you are done.