Finally! We made it! Well, we got in really early in the morning, and we didn't waste any time. We passed by the Bank of Ireland, which was very important in the Irish war for independence. You can still see the nicks it got from bullets during the war. Nick and I are sporting our "excited to be in Ireland" faces; Tony didn't quite get the message...

First thing, book of Kells. Marvelous. I had never heard of this before, this was all Nick, but I absolutely loved it. Basically, it's a book from the Middle Ages that's illuminated text, meaning it was engraved and painted over years and years by dozens of men. It's a Bible in pictures, really intricate and Celtic-ly fascinating. But the best part was the Long Room upstairs. You walk up a stairway and at the top, you turn the corner and in front of you this room opens up. It's just like the library in Beauty and the Beast- only better, because you can smell the old books. It's two stories full of books with an enormously tall, domed ceiling. It's got sliding ladders for each section of books and dark, polished wood. It was amazing. We couldn't take pictures, which is just as well, because even the postcards couldn't do it justice. I found this on the internet, and it's pretty good. At least it tries. (:

After that, we walked around Trinity College a bit and from there headed to the (free!) Museum of Irish history. I am here to tell you, Ireland is a lot older than I ever give it credit! They have Viking age things, Middle Age age things (Celts), and even Roman ruins. So, we looked at all that, and Nick and I stumbled on something that I was not expecting in Ireland, or ever for that matter. We walked into one exhibition called "Kings and Sacrifices" I think, and all along the length of the room, there were spiral walls. The first one we went into had a sign outside, but we didn't notice it and just walked around the spiral into the opening. Would you like to know what awaited us? Bog men.

That's right. Bog men. Shriveled, preserved men that they had found in a field while cutting peat. We walked into that unknowingly- all of a sudden this leathery form of a man is lying there, hair and all. Shocking and also strangely intriguing (is that a problem?). Anyway, there was a small child also visiting the exhibit, which is weird, but we looked at all 4 bog men, including the one that had been cut in half by the peat machine (what a sad way to find an ancient relic). Anyway, that's the 2 things I took away from the Irish museum of history: 1). It's free. 2). Bog men.

We were hungry, and we went to a pub for lunch. I am so pleased to announce that the Irish pub does in fact exist and it looks just like it should! I got fish and chips (delicious) and I just tickled pink by the whole situation. Also, we ate at about 4pm, which is impossible in France. Here, if you don't eat between 12 and 2:30, you just missed lunch and you will starve until dinner at 7:45. So, it was so freeing to be able to eat whenever you want!

Another cultural difference was the architecture. I guess I'm just really used to French architecture, which is ostentatious and flowery and decorative. Irish architecture is very cut and dried, block, Industrial-Revolution style houses. Very indicative of the British Isles, I would imagine, and deliciously different from France. It was funny, though, when we got back to France and I noticed that every single building had a balcony, a decorative window or door frame, or some other decoration. Every building. So interesting.

So, moving on, we also visited the Potato Famine memorial and other sights. That evening, we went to a pub and spent a tranquil evening listening to the live music and being entertained by a group of dancing strangers. We heard some great songs, but we were missing out traveling song: "wonder wall." When we were in San Sebastian, we heard a song in a jazz bar called "Wonder Wall." Every European knew this American song, and it appeared that I was the only one who had never heard it before. So, it became a constant source of conversation that I didn't know this song. We also heard the song when we traveled to Bordeaux. Back to Dublin: we got tired and left the pub, and as we were walking along the street, Nick said casually "Just about the only thing missing from this night is 'Wonder Wall.'" And I kid you not, not 2 full seconds later, a random musician in the street began the first few chords of Wonder Wall. Not kidding. We all flipped out, and had a really moment in the middle of the road. We sang it out loud, and marveled at notre chance. What are the odds? This is why we study abroad, eh boys?

The next day we headed to Christ Church Cathedral, went into St. Patrick's Cathedral <--- (after all, how many times are you in Dublin? You have to see St. Pat's Cathedral...) and saw Jonathan Swift's grave. They have beautiful stained glass there, and apparently, they also collect their funds for the children's choir in a keg. No lie. Look at the picture: people drop church donations into a keg. Welcome to Ireland! (:




We went by the Dublin Castle, too, and actually, upon leaving the Castle, we were approached by a lady asking where we were from. They were looking for people to interview about a referendum they were voting on that day. We weren't European, so we couldn't really help, which was sad. We also went to the Guiness Brewery (which tastes similar to what I imagine motor oil would taste like. Horrible, horrible stuff). We almost got lost going to the Brewery, but then we smelled something: I thought it smelled like a bakery, but Tony thought it smelled like a farm. The solution: I smelled the yeast, and Tony smelled the barley. Just depends on if you've actually ever been to a farm (Tony) to know what they smell like...

Lastly, we headed to St. Audoen's church, which is the oldest church in Ireland to still be holding services (over 800 years). It was free, informative, quiet, and you were free to take pictures. I have a big beef with churches that make you pay (which is a whole 'other entry), so I enjoyed the free opportunity.

This picture is deceptive: this is the tower from St. Audoen's, and it looks like it's in the country. I'm going to let you believe that. The other picture is the wall of Dublin. Been there an awful long time. And yet, it would be so easy to miss...





Also of note, there was a restaurant we passed called "Stonewall Jackson's Bar and Restaurant." I knew he was famous, but Ireland? that's true fame: I'm pretty sure there are Americans that have no idea who Stonewall Jackson was. Southern history: ever intriguing.
Well, for those besides my immediate family, if you've stuck around this long, thanks! There's more to come. We're not done yet!