Dublin is the capital of Ireland and center of a very beautiful verdant green countryside. I love learning about the history of this region because it really isn’t covered in typical schooling. We are kept busy with the Ottomans, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Japanese, African countries, Native Northern Americans and Myans. The mythology of Ireland is also interesting to read. The names are quite the mouthful but are full of leprechauns and seeking gold.
Our first stop in Dublin was the Christ Church Cathedral Dublin was first built by the Hiberno-Norse in 1030 AD. In 1170 AD the Anglo-Normans gained control of the cathedral and in 1186 AD rebuilt in the Romanesque style. In 1742 the Choir of Christ Church was the first to perform Handel’s Messiah. Strongbow, the leader of the Anglo-Normans who captured Dublin has his tomb here as well. The Medieval crypt below stretches the entire size of the cathedral with large stone pillars that are the foundation pillars for the entire structure. The current building is a mixture of 12th and 13th century materials in the Victorian Gothic design.
Next was St. Patrick’s Cathedral that has been a religious site of some sort since the 5th century. The park adjacent to the cathedral has the well that is the location of Saint Patrick’s first baptisms to Christianity. Owen really enjoyed crawling around the park. The Cathedral is the burial place of Oliver Swift, the author of Gullivers Travels. The original stone structure was built by the Normans and then it was rebuilt in the 13th century to the present building. The spire was added in 1749.
Lastly for the day was the Dublin Castle is in the center of the city near the river that has been used as a settlement for more than 1000 years dating to before the Vikings. The present castle was built in 1202 under the orders of King John of England (the Magna Carta guy). This castle has been the most important fortification in Ireland and has functioned as the seat of colonial rule, center of military and political power, and as the social stage for Ireland’s ruling classes. After the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) the castle was handed over to Michael Collins who was the first leader of the independent Irish Free State. The castle is used as the inauguration site for the president every 7 years. Throughout the castle is the official symbol of Ireland, the Gold Harp set against a blue background. The difference between the official symbol and the Guiness logo is the harp pointing in opposite directions. While we were there, it was the gathering place for seeing the results of the gay marriage vote. I found it very intriguing to be present in Dublin during this very significant vote in Ireland’s history.
Our first stop of the day on our bus tour of the Boyne Valley was the Hill of Tara. The name originates from Teamhair na Ri meaning the Sanctuary of the Kings and is the traditional inauguration site of the ancient Celtic High Kings. The site was first used in the Neolithic age for burial grounds and then all the way up to the 3rd century with Roman artifacts. From this high point, we could see almost one quarter of Ireland. The Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny) is one of the solitary vertical pieces. According to legend, the stone would scream if a series of challenges were met by the would-be king. At his touch the stone would let out a screech that could be heard all over Ireland.
Next was the Trim Castle that is an 800 year old Anglo-Norman castle which has remained largely unchanged for its existence. It was used during some of the fight scenes from the movie Braveheart.
Another sacred burial ground at a high point is the 5,000 year old Loughcrew with approximately 30 passage tombs. Loughcrew is the burial site of the legendary High King of Ireland Ollamh Fodhla with Celtic designs carved into the rock walls.
Next was Monasterboice, a cemetery containing Celtic crosses. The largest depicts various biblical scenes. It was founded in 520AD by Saint Buite with the second highest round tower in Ireland.
Our final stop was the town of Drogheda. We went to the St Peters Church that has the decapitated head of Martyr-Primate St. Oliver Plunkett, gross. It was first built in 1791 and was unusual to be in the pre-emancipation era and occupy such a prominent location on the town’s main street.
Our first stop in Dublin was the Christ Church Cathedral Dublin was first built by the Hiberno-Norse in 1030 AD. In 1170 AD the Anglo-Normans gained control of the cathedral and in 1186 AD rebuilt in the Romanesque style. In 1742 the Choir of Christ Church was the first to perform Handel’s Messiah. Strongbow, the leader of the Anglo-Normans who captured Dublin has his tomb here as well. The Medieval crypt below stretches the entire size of the cathedral with large stone pillars that are the foundation pillars for the entire structure. The current building is a mixture of 12th and 13th century materials in the Victorian Gothic design.
Next was St. Patrick’s Cathedral that has been a religious site of some sort since the 5th century. The park adjacent to the cathedral has the well that is the location of Saint Patrick’s first baptisms to Christianity. Owen really enjoyed crawling around the park. The Cathedral is the burial place of Oliver Swift, the author of Gullivers Travels. The original stone structure was built by the Normans and then it was rebuilt in the 13th century to the present building. The spire was added in 1749.
Lastly for the day was the Dublin Castle is in the center of the city near the river that has been used as a settlement for more than 1000 years dating to before the Vikings. The present castle was built in 1202 under the orders of King John of England (the Magna Carta guy). This castle has been the most important fortification in Ireland and has functioned as the seat of colonial rule, center of military and political power, and as the social stage for Ireland’s ruling classes. After the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) the castle was handed over to Michael Collins who was the first leader of the independent Irish Free State. The castle is used as the inauguration site for the president every 7 years. Throughout the castle is the official symbol of Ireland, the Gold Harp set against a blue background. The difference between the official symbol and the Guiness logo is the harp pointing in opposite directions. While we were there, it was the gathering place for seeing the results of the gay marriage vote. I found it very intriguing to be present in Dublin during this very significant vote in Ireland’s history.
Our first stop of the day on our bus tour of the Boyne Valley was the Hill of Tara. The name originates from Teamhair na Ri meaning the Sanctuary of the Kings and is the traditional inauguration site of the ancient Celtic High Kings. The site was first used in the Neolithic age for burial grounds and then all the way up to the 3rd century with Roman artifacts. From this high point, we could see almost one quarter of Ireland. The Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny) is one of the solitary vertical pieces. According to legend, the stone would scream if a series of challenges were met by the would-be king. At his touch the stone would let out a screech that could be heard all over Ireland.
Next was the Trim Castle that is an 800 year old Anglo-Norman castle which has remained largely unchanged for its existence. It was used during some of the fight scenes from the movie Braveheart.
Another sacred burial ground at a high point is the 5,000 year old Loughcrew with approximately 30 passage tombs. Loughcrew is the burial site of the legendary High King of Ireland Ollamh Fodhla with Celtic designs carved into the rock walls.
Next was Monasterboice, a cemetery containing Celtic crosses. The largest depicts various biblical scenes. It was founded in 520AD by Saint Buite with the second highest round tower in Ireland.
Our final stop was the town of Drogheda. We went to the St Peters Church that has the decapitated head of Martyr-Primate St. Oliver Plunkett, gross. It was first built in 1791 and was unusual to be in the pre-emancipation era and occupy such a prominent location on the town’s main street.
Christ Church Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral
One of the tiles is always put intentionally out of place
to show that nothing can be of the perfection of God.
Dublin Castle
James Connolly Room - one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and leaders of the military commanders of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Hill of Tara
Trim Castle
Standing on his own.
Loughcrew
Monasterboice
Drogheda
Molly Malone Statue
