Dublin Walking Tour
Last night we met up with our guide, Barry Moloney, and our fellow intrepid travelers - looks to be a good bunch! We hit the sack after a lovely group dinner. This morning we meet up with our local tour guide, Tommy, to learn about Irish history. We start just outside a memorial to the famine victims by sculptor, Edward Delany, in the fantastic park, St. Stephen's Green. Much of what we cover concerns the famine, which in this writer's opinion, requires a page devoted solely to the famine. Putting that aside. . .
We will begin with the long journey to Ireland becoming an independent nation, free from British Rule. The yearning for independence has a long history. With the American revolution in the 1770's, the French revolution in 1789, there was a renewed sense of hope towards creating a free state. Many wanted basic human rights, a democratic system of government rather than a system based on religion and social status. The desire to break away from the throne had little to do with religion -- both Catholics and Protestants were united in the quest. In 1798, over 30,000 Irish men and women lost their lives in one of many unsuccessful attempts to break from England.
(More of these failed attempts are detailed under my page Kilmainham Gaol and under the page Belfast - The Troubles.)
We will begin with the long journey to Ireland becoming an independent nation, free from British Rule. The yearning for independence has a long history. With the American revolution in the 1770's, the French revolution in 1789, there was a renewed sense of hope towards creating a free state. Many wanted basic human rights, a democratic system of government rather than a system based on religion and social status. The desire to break away from the throne had little to do with religion -- both Catholics and Protestants were united in the quest. In 1798, over 30,000 Irish men and women lost their lives in one of many unsuccessful attempts to break from England.
(More of these failed attempts are detailed under my page Kilmainham Gaol and under the page Belfast - The Troubles.)
The Bank of Ireland began its life as a parliament house. The original section, the House of Commons, was built by Irish architect, Edward Lovett Pearce, but it was removed by the British in 1800. The Prime Minister, Henry Grattan, tried to establish a parliament starting in 1782, but it was dissolved in 1800 by the British in the Act of the Union. The Bank of Ireland purchased the building which houses an incredible tapestry depicting the Battle of the Boyne (1690) as well as the incredible chandelier to the right.
When Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, he dissolved the monasteries and adopted the title of King of Ireland. This incensed both Irish clans and old Anglo-Norman dynasties. There was fierce resistance to foreign rule and for the next 150 years, war ensued. The Tudor and then the Stuart monarchs continued to battle. From 1649 to 1652, Oliver Cromwell's army carried out brutal attacks on the Irish. The term "decimate" is from Cromwell's policy of killing every 10th man, woman or child in a village. In 1557, Mary I, ordered the first Plantations in Ireland. The Plantation program uprooted the native Irish and gave their lands to settlers from England and Scotland. This program continued under the rule of James I, thereby creating loyal, Protestant garrisons who supported the English crown. In 1685, Catholic James II, ascended to the throne giving the Irish hope. He was deposed in 1688 and fled to Ireland to raise an army. Nobles, concerned about James II's, pro-Catholic, pro-French ideals, called on his son-in-law and nephew, William of Orange, to succeed him. For the next two years war raged on with the siege of Londonderry (Derry) and culminated on July 12 in 1690 in the Battle of the Boyne where William of Orange soundly defeated James II who then fled to France where he remained until his death in 1701. The Irish army surrendered in 1691 in Limerick. This evening we enjoy a pub crawl in the Temple Bar area, but jet lag gets the best of me and despite my best intentions, I depart early and crash.
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No photographs are allowed in Trinity College Library or of the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells was probably produced in the early 9th Century. All dyes were from natural materials and some 185 calves gave their skins for the manuscript. The details are incredible, designs intricate. The rest of my thoughts are directed to the fact that I watched Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail on the plane - since my sense of humor is twisted - I'll make no further comments on the matter!
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Pub Crawl
Sundays should be about Cheeses!
Janis and Roz spotted this cheese shop before the tour and we were determined to visit it on our free time.
Adventures in Food in Dublin
I confess that when I decided to go to Ireland, I had to weigh whether I was going to pack spices, sandwiches and snacks in lieu of clothes. My visits to Scotland and England convinced me that the food would look good, but when tasted, be bland, fatty, greasy, and just plain offal (correction awful). Yet, I was assured over and over that the food in Ireland was excellent - the Irish had learned an important lesson the Brits and Scots, for the most part, have not learned: food should look good and TASTE good. I decided to plunge head first into the culinary adventure that would either make me regret leaving my spice kit, sandwich fixings and snacks at home or make me happy with my decision.
I had a delicious lunch at the home of my Irish friend, Danny C right after I landed. So far, so good. That evening after losing my Guinness virginity, Roz, Janis and I decided to stop at a market and picnic in the hotel room. We had sandwiches, salads, a bottle of red wine, and chocolate and cookies for our meal. Then it was time to give in to jet lag. My starter - fresh veggies, pita, and hummus - very good.Chocolate cake with fresh whipped cream - dreamy!Enjoyed my Atlantic Salmon and brown bread!Steamed mussels in white wine sauce - lovely! |
Salad and shared pizzas with my travel buddies - So far, So good.Our first group meal at The Farm, an organic and healthy restaurant. If the food tastes terrible, at least the waiter is easy on the eyes!Mushroom risotto with fresh walnuts and shaved Parmesan cheese - terrific!Smoked Salmon Salad Sandwich - tastes better than my photo makes it look!Playing with my food; I love being on vacation and breaking the rules!My first encounters with Irish food have been fantastic! From cooking with chocolate in the private castle kitchen, to all the fresh seafood, to the fresh baked breads and baked goods, I'm thinking that this "Foodie" is loving Irish cuisine!
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