Dublin, Continued

The rest of our Dublin trip was just as eventful! Since we were staying in the hotel directly across from Christ Church, we took a short walk over to take a look around. The inside of the cathedral was amazing, with vaulted ceilings and plenty of little alcoves to explore. The entire time we were walking around, I couldn't help but think that it looked familiar. Eventually, I realized why- as a fan of the television show "The Tudors," I would've recognized it because they film scenes in the Christ Church cathedral. Walking around the crypts underneath the church, there were exhibits describing important events in Irish history, such as the Easter Rising and the Great Famine.

Our next stop in Dublin was Trinity College to take a peek at the Book of Kells. The grounds of Trinity made me think of being back at Mercyhurst with its pretty building and landscaping. Most of Ireland, to me, hasn't seemed like a foreign place. When we first arrived in Dungarvan I remember feeling like we were home. Looking at the Book of Kells reminded me exactly where we were- in Dublin! Looking at a book produced in the 8th century! Almost too much to think about at once. The rest of the Trinity College library was just as interesting, with levels and levels full of books and busts of famous men.

After gawking at the Book of Kells, we continued on to see the Guinness Storehouse, which has been converted to one of the most creative museums I'd ever seen. When you enter, you are actually standing in the world's largest pint glass! Throughout the museum, we saw the raw ingredients for making the world's best beer. We also got to learn to pour the perfect pint of Guinness (as well as drink it at 11 o'clock in the morning!). Gravity bar at the very top of the storehouse offered the best aerial view of Dublin we'd seen.

After the storehouse, we had a little time left before we had to head home to the place we've now started affectionately referring to as "The Garv." A few of us walked around to see St. Patrick's Cathedral before we left Dublin. Around the outer walls of the cathedral, there were plaques commemorating the great Irish authors- Joyce, Yeats, Synge, and Swift were all represented. It was a good end to a good trip, and I can't wait to go back to see the rest of the city!