Dublin, Ireland
We have visited castles in England, Portugal, and Scotland, so we couldn't miss Dublin Castle. Like Edinburgh Castle part of this castles history was the seat of British Rule in Ireland. As an American it makes me wish we had something that would compare with Dublin Castle. Our two countries share in the revolutionary spirit. This Castle is the 700 year embodiment of British subjugation of the Irish people and proves to be a reminder for those who visit it of the hard won freedom. We do not have anything iconic in America that represents the imposing Empire we separated from.
Dublin Castle and Chapel Royal
Video of the courtyard
We entered the Dublin Castle over a bridge and through an arched entry to the main courtyard. Over each of the gate entries are statues. These are the Gates of Fortitude and Justice. Justice is the gate we entered through and it is the main ceeremonial gate for the castle. The courtyard is called the Children's Court.
We took a self guided tour of Dublin Castle. It was the seat of English power in Ireland for 700 years. Now is used by the Irish Governement for state events such as the inauguration of the Irish President and state banquets for visiting dignatories. Amongst the highlights are the Ladies Drawing Room, the Throne Room and St. Patricks Hall.
Video of the Inside of Dublin Castle
While inside the castle we noticed a garden through one of the windows. When we were leaving one of the attendants told us how we could access the garden after we left Dublin Castle.
Video of the Garden
The central lawn of the garden is circular, with smaller gardens in the corners, and it’s accessed from either an open stretch in front of the Chester Beatty Library or through a pedestrian-scaled gate in the wall opposite the Dublin Castle.
Touring Castles and walking gardens works up a real thirst. We are in Ireland so we had to make a stop at the Irish Whiskey Museum.
I am drinking an old fashioned made with Writer's Tears Copper Pot Whiskey , and Mary Kay is having "Bainne Na Máthar"or Irish Mother's Milk made with Bailey's and Whiskey.
The next day we wanted to visit some of the other older historical sites in Dublin. We were just down the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral so we started our journey there..
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Of all the Cathedrals we have visited this year, I have to say that St. Patrick's is the most impressive. The intricately detailed exterior architecture is is magnificent and imposing. The Cathedral is set out from the urban sprawl by a lush park and lawn.
Built between 1220 and 1260, the Cathedral is one of the few buildings left from the medieval city of Dublin. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick's, is one of around 700 burials on the site. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has been part of Ireland’s history for over 800 years
One of the highlights on this trip was the discovery of an unusual old Library. Marsh's Library, situated in St. Patrick's Close, adjacent to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland is a well-preserved library of the late Renaissance and early Enlightenment. The small library had student docents who greeted us and gave us the background of this historic Library.
When it opened to the public in 1707 it was the first public library in Ireland. It was built to the order of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh and has a collection of over 25,000 books and 300 manuscripts.
During the Easter Rising, shots were fired at the library and some of the Baltic oak shelves were damaged. These bullet holes can still be seen in several of the books
Christ Church Cathedral
One of the oldest buildings in Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral sits in the medieval heart of the city. We wanted to go inside but were unable to enter the church, but we could still appreciate the impressive architecture.
The Church Bar
To complete our religious pilgramage of Dublin, with our visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral we thought is was appropriate to eat and drink at The Church Bar.
The Church Bar was originally St. Mary's Church. It was abandoned and was turned into an eclectic Bar that kept many of the attributes of the church and even provides a self guided tour.
We ordered "Peachy Blinder" cocktails.