Day 6 Tuesday, May 25

 A few tidbits before I get on with our exploration of the beautiful Emerald Isle! We discovered yesterday that Bram Stoker was briefly a tax man working at the Dublin Castle.  Isn't it appropriate for a man who wrote a very well known book about blood suckers to be a tax man?
Must also revisit the lovely Molly Mallone...remember:
♪ In Dublins fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I once met a girl called sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow,
through the streets broad and narrow,  
 Cryng cockles and mussels` Alive alive o ♫ (love the song, btw!)
Molly is reputed to also have sold something else in the evening...if you get what I mean! Heard a new description today of Molly, the "slapper with the snappers", ...she was really celibate-- she would "sell a bit" on the right---then "sell a bit" on the left. Those Irish!
Today, we were off on our own again, riding our favorite green (for the Emerald Isle), Hop On-Hop Off buses! Got a photo this time. Note blow up of the bus driver on the right! These guys just crack me up!! 

 







Today we saw 2 beautiful cathedrals and to round out the day, a jail! What a combination! 
First stop was Christ Church Cathedral, a Church of Ireland, Protestant, denomination, formed in 1030 by King Sitric Silkenbeard King of Viking Dublin and Dunan, the first Bishop of Dublin. Did you know that Dublin was first settled by the Vikings? I did not know that! This cathedral has been a place of worship now for almost 1000 years! Amazing! 

This church holds a replacement effigy of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Lord of Leinster, who was also known as Strongbow. He was notable for his leading role in the Norman invasion of Ireland. His original tomb was crushed, but what is believed to remain of the original lays to the side of his effigy. 

The church was beautiful inside, just as I had imagined a cathedral would be, especially after reading "The Pillars of the Earth". Soon after we arrived, they began their morning prayer service and asked everyone to stop taking pictures, and perhaps sit quietly. I did enjoy that. I must take some photography lessons when I get home. I wanted to photograph the beautiful stained glass windows, but I am a dunce as far as camera settings go! Anyone willing to tutor me?

We spent a great deal of time here, reading all the plaques that  honored loved or revered ones and then made our way down into the crypt! The crypt (spooky!) now houses the gift shop and a bit of a museum. One display had a list of the ancient relics that were once located in the church, "a drop of Mother Mary's milk, 1 thorn from the crown of Jesus, some bones of St. Peter and Andrew the apostles" and more. Again--amazed at the treasures of the Emerald Isle. 

Next we walked just down the street to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, another beautiful church! The only problem was that they were in the process of tuning the magnificent organ, which was very distracting and a bit annoying, but we managed. The cathedral is built on the site believed to be where St. Patrick began converting the citizens to Christianity. They have the very stone that is believed to be the cap stone of the well St. Patrick used. At St. Patrick's, instead of being buried in the crypt, the important were buried in the walls, except in the case of Jonathan Swift, who is buried in the floor beside his beloved, Stella. Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels" was once a Dean at St. Patrick's. If you do not know more of him than that he wrote the book, you absolutely must google him! I never knew he was such a political satirist and champion for the "mad" and insane, establishing a mental hospital upon his death. And, Gail Sink, if you are reading this, he also suffered with bouts of vertigo or giddiness now known as Meniere's Disease!! Must have something to do with genius, right Gail!

Displayed in the alter area are the banners and helmets of all the knights of St. Patrick's, an interesting site for a church. The Order was created in 1783 by King George III and lasted until 1921 when Ireland became a free and independent country.


Sorry, but I must stop for tonight. I am so tired and have a great deal to do in the morning. We are renting a car (pray for me!) and heading to the Southern part of the Emerald Isle to kiss the Blarney Stone, see the beautiful Irish cliffs, Circle the Ring of Kerry and see the beautiful greens that Ireland is so famous for.  Maybe I can touch on the Kilmainham Goal (ancient jail) tomorrow...if not, you'll have to come see the scrapbook when I am finished. Going to be a huge on Mary Alice--hope you have 2 green 12x12's for me! For our last night in Dublin I'll say, "Slan agus beannacht leat libh go leir" 'Goodbye and Best Wishes" from the Emerald Isle! ...d

The view of the park beside St. Patrick's....the Irish do love their parks! 

I saw him move, he was neither drunk nor dead! just enjoying the beautiful sunny day!