Dubh Linn

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

We left our beloved Scotland for Ireland in the airplane shown above--and yes, those are propellers!  This was a small plane, seating about 50 passengers.  I am currently in one of the lounges of our hostel in Dublin watching the World Cup--Brazil vs. Germany and Germany just scored the first goal--you should have heard the roar of appreciation!!   It is hard to concentrate on writing this with the game, but I have a lot of photos today--hope you'll indulge me!  It has been a very full day!   We don't have very good reception in our room which is why our family is spread throughout the public areas of the hostel--but I think I have the best place!

Anyway, we took an airlink bus into the city after we got our bags (we had to check our bags because Aer Lingus only allows one backpack as a carry on, especially on their small planes.  The children and I each had two--our travel backpack with our clothes and a small personal backpack with electronics, books, etc. and had to check our big bags.  Randy only had his big pack and his small camera bag so he was allowed to bring both (his laptop and books go in his big bag while his iPod, iPad, etc. are in his Scottevest.  (Whoa, Germany scored again!)  (And again!!!!  Some guys sitting next to me just yelled and slammed out of the room--must support Brazil!)  (and again--OMG!!  It is now 4-0, Germany!)  Well, anyway, we walked about half a block to our hostel right on the River Liffey.  Our room is on the 3rd floor (3 flights up!).  

(whoa--again?!!).  We have 4 bunked beds--the bottom on one is a double bed.  We have an en suite, which is awesome!  It is an older, private hostel, but very nice.  In previous blogs (I think Australia), I've discussed hostels, and they have their plusses and minuses, but we really like them and the children love them!  

Well, by this time it was only 2:30 and we had all of Dublin at our feet!  We decided on a few monuments to start with.  Joshua studied a map and we agreed to him navigating (directing) us to our destinations!  It was very cute--he took his job seriously, and really got a sense of the part of the city we walked first.  And it really gave him good practice at reading a map to get somewhere.  

We started walking toward Christchurch Cathedral. It is linked to another building that is now a museum with a little bridge.  I'm sure the museum was once some other building connected to the church.  Randy gave Joshua the choice, either we would go into the church (the guide book said that it was rather plain), then make our dinner later at the hostel, or not go in and we would eat out somewhere--Joshua chose to eat out. 

Notice the Celtic Cross?

From the other direction, the cathedral on the right, the museum on the left.

Next, Joshua directed us to Dublin Castle.  

as we were walking

as we were walking

The courtyard of the current Castle which is roughly laid out on
the lines of the original castle.

The gates leading into the castle courtyard.

An original part of the castle.

And an attached church.

details of the church

This is a little walkway between two buildings in the castle with a gift shop on the right.

Annie and her current SO?

Shelby likes this knight.

Joshua's new best friend!

Next was city hall.  Most European City Halls are quite beautiful buildings to represent the importance, strength, and beauty of the city.  On the way, we decided that tomorrow would be a children-directed day.  They are planning this right now using maps, brochures, the guide book, and the internet.  They did a great job in Rome and they enjoyed the day much more because they made all of the decisions.  

An interesting window advertisement!  (Sick and Indigent
Roomkeepers Society. Founded AD 1790)

The rotunda of the City Hall

The floor mosaic in the rotunda.  We're wondering why the
three castles are on fire.

Next we decided to find dinner.  We walked down Dame Street trying to find something affordable.  Most food establishments have their menus posted outside and the main courses of most of these were about 20 Euros.  (Does anyone know how to type a Euro symbol on a US  Mac keyboard?)  Then I saw a chalkboard on the sidewalk advertising bacon cheeseburger, chips, and a soda for 10 Euros at Bobo's Burgers.  (Whoa--#6 for Germany!)  

Huge burgers!!

Bobo's even had what looked like cow hides (hair and all) for the
seat backs on the banquette.

Next, to Trinity College of the University of Dublin.  

A sculpture on the way

Great window boxes!

I love the name of this pub!  And it looks like the original name!

Part of the Bank of Ireland building

The courtyard of Trinity College

Inside the main courtyard

The girls playing a game with snapping and stepping in rhythm.

Sphere with sphere sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro.  We saw a similar
sculpture in Rome.  Joshua thinks he heard that they were related
to the Pope in some way?  We had our own theories of it's
meaning! :) 

Joshua is explaining something else to Anneliese

A Trinity College building--look at the beautiful stonework!

After this, we walked down Grafton Street to the pedestrian mall and saw some street performers!

Walking down Grafton Street

I told Shelby if the veterinarian thing doesn't work out, she could
take her clarinet and become a street performer!  These two guys
were really good!

This one was just weird!

The man asked for an assistant, preferably a young woman.   I pushed
Shelby and Randy raised her hand at the same time--she was chosen!

First she held the sword, then the fire!

She had to hold the sword he had just swallowed while he backed
up--she was so scared she would hurt him!

Shelby and the street performer than juggled and swallowed fire
and swords.

At the end of the pedestrian mall, Grafton ends into St. Stephen's Green.  

The entrance

A building across the street

Next was St. Patrick's Cathedral.  St. Patrick baptized the first Christian converts here in the 5th century, the church came later.  The church was closed, we may have time tomorrow to see it inside.

St. Patrick's

A nearby streetlight post--note the shamrocks!  Not all of them have those.

"Millenial Child"

(Oh, Dublin was originally Dubh Linn, or black pool which was formed where the Liffey and a now-nonexistent river combined.