Dublin
June 7, 2005
Today we get to start late. No long rides today, just a nice cruise around Dublin. It gives us a great chance to see all of the famous Doors of Dublin as well as some of the other great sites.
Our last stop of the morning is at Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells, where we get to take a nice tour inside. A slow, interesting chance to view the wonderful artwork and handwork of this historic document. We even got to do a stroll through the long room where 200,000 very old books are stored. Then through the gift/souvenir shop.
From the college we had the rest of the day free so we shopped at several close to the college, where we could see medieval and coats of arms for my husband, and then back towards the hotel. On the way we found a three story mall that was so beautiful we had to go in and look around. Yes, we found a few trinkets for gifts to the kids.
Dinner was across the street from our hotel at The Barge, a three story pub, where we had a very nice meal.
A Pub, but a very nice Pub!
The Barge, is a pretty nice Pub sitting across the street from the Holton Hotel in Dublin. You will see quite a crowd gathered outside every afternoon when the weather is nice. This is apparently a very good gathering spot. But the look outside is nothing compared to the interior. This three story huge pub has bars on each floor and there are fireplaces, places for large groups, and lots of cozy nooks and crannies for a more private meal or drink. All of the interior is done in brick and wood and is very warm and inviting. The staff was fun and helpful. We had the Chicken Parmeseano, with a small salad, rice and boiled potatoes, and hot apple pie and ice cream for dessert. A very nice meal.
Colorful and unique
Homes in Dublin are built exactly the same, as row houses, and the only real way to tell them apart is to make some bit of detail difference to the front porch and door. A few people have added small stoops or ornate detailing around the door, others have simply painted their door to be colorful and beautiful. But each and nearly every one we saw had a marvelous difference to the one next door. All as varied as the imagination can picture. I don’t think there is another town in the world where the doors have become so famous. Make sure you pay attention in Dublin, it is very worthwhile. And it is free!
A postcard from Dublin
History at its best
The Book of Kells, housed in the old library building on the Trinity College campus in downtown Dublin is one of the finest examples of very early craftsmanship. This Latin version of the four books (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) of the bible along with some preface and explanation were produced by hand about 800 AD were created by monks of that era and have been kept intact and preserved in very good condition for all to see. We also we allowed a “no touch” walk through the Long Room, a near 200 foot library room that stores 200,000 of the oldest books. The is a gift shop at the end of the tour. No cameras are allowed.
