Dublin

The first thing I have to say about Dublin is they have a thing for marble statues. There was an island running down the middle of O'Connell Street with just statue after statue. You know the DIY Silhouette thing? If Dublin were in charge the craft blogs would be posting DIY marble statues. For real.

For me the highlight of Dublin, by far, was Trinity College - once again because of the family connection. 

Trinity College Library is a world famous library for two reasons: it is the largest single room library in the world (no photos allowed when we went inside) and because it houses The Book of Kells, a transcript from the 9th century of the first four books of the New Testament (also no photos allowed). The family connection to the library is that it was built from the personal book collection of two men, one of which is Ken's family: James Ussher. The broader family connection is that Adam Loftus, the first Provost of Trinity College is family, and the more personal connection is that Ken's Great-great-grandfather graduated from medical school there.

The cost of the tour of campus included the charge to see The Book of Kells, and was not much more money than just paying to see The Book of Kells, so we did a tour. It was awesome. I can't believe I've forgotten our tour guide's name! I'll have to just call him Bryce because he reminded us so much of our friend (Bryce).

These are residence buildings where once an unpopular professor who was living here got into a gun fight with disgruntled students (he gave them bad marks) and the professor was killed. Well, the sort of boys who went to college at that time were from the sorts of families the law went easy on, and the professor was found to be equally at fault and the boys were acquitted and went on to have spectacular careers in the church as well as in politics. Naturally.

I was glad to see that it wasn't just my college that was polluted with stupid pieces of modern art. The students here call this one The Death Star. 

Following our tour of Trinity College campus, we moved on to St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The clergy and volunteers there were very helpful in finding our family connections in the cathedral.

Ken has an ancestor buried here (name to follow when I look that one up or my mother in law gives me a helpful comment) below the cannon ball that killed him.

Handel played this organ (no, he's not a relative).

Once again marble statues.

A funny, but sad if I think about it too long, sight on a bridge over River Liffey. I'm grateful Ireland is enjoying more peaceful times.

And a more cheerful sight in Dublin to finish off the post.