Newgrange and Dublin

On the suggestion of one of her classmates, we headed to Newgrange first thing Wednesday morning. Now this place was really cool. Built over 5000 years ago by New Stone Age people, it is an intricate passage tomb that has been excavated, and the outside restored to how it might have looked 5000 years ago. There are 2 other sites, Knowth and Dowth (but... wait for it... we didn't have time), but Newgrange seems to be the more important site. Inside there are 3 small chamber that would have been used for various ceremonies. The one at the back is the largest, but there are carvings around it, and they postulate that it was utiliarian in function. The side chambers, especially the right-side one, are covered in carvings, much like this one. It probably took 2-3 generations to build the tomb, as the stones are quite large, and some seem to have come from as far away as 18km. Obviously cars and trucks didn't exist. Horses weren't yet domesticated for work, so it would have been logs and men that moved these stones and placed them on the tomb. The stones overlap forming a small cone at the very top where the capstone is. Even after 5000 years, the inside is dry, and shows very little signs of mould, or decay. Now here's the coolest part. There is a one door, with a light box above it, which lets in very little light (believe me, our guide turned the lights off at one point). For 5 days around the winter solistice, the sun is low enough that it shines into the tomb, illuminating everything inside. Only 100 people a year are allowed to see the event, winning spots through a lottery. Of course, Steph has entered (some 13 times) in an effort to get a couple of tickets. Good luck!!!

The funniest thing about the site; the graffity. Not spray paint graffity, no, its craved graffity from the 1800's. Like "William so and so 1825). The tomb entrance was discovered in 1699, and teenagers through the ages, have left their mark on the inside. Though I don't like it, I will be a little more tolerant of graffity, knowing my great-great-great-great grandparents likely did the same thing to ancient Viking sites.

Back in busy Dublin, we caught a double-decker tour bus to take in some of the sites. I was most pleased to find another fountain, in front of Trinity College, filled with more soap and bubbly foam. Unlike the suds in Galway, these suds hit unsuspecting pedistrians in the head as they crossed the busy street. Classic!

The first bus that picked us up, was driven by Steph's favourite driver/tour guide from the summer. Dude was hilarious, and his story telling excellent. He even sang a little tune about Molly Malone for us. We stayed with him the entire tour, learning about the Guinness family's generosity, especially in church restorations, the legendary writers that have come from Dublin, why the doors of the Georgian homes are all different, and tales rebellion and the Gael (jail). When Dave's tour was over, we hopped onto Bill's bus, who was equally funny and knowledgeable, and teased Dave, who was catching a ride home, mercilessly. Here are a few pictoral highlights from Dublin.

Trinity College
Best door in the world.

The church where Bram Stoker was married. He didn't start writing horror stories until after he got married. Christ Church Cathedral. It is inside old Dublin, and was the church people were allowed to attend. Just outside the city walls was St. Patrick's Cathedral, which people were not allowed to attend, but seemed to anyway. Religious persecution is a favourite topic in Irish history.

And finally, the Guinness brewery, right next to a church. The official Guinness site wasn't working, so you get the wikipedia version.

** Note, to tour Dublin is to tour churchs and breweries. In this picture, they are brought together**

When the Guinness brewery was first established in the 1700s, Arthur Guinness signed a 9000 year lease for a nominal fee, with the city of Dublin. To the delight of most Irish (who don't really like Guinness, but feel a civic obligation to drink it because the family has donated so much to the city and people of Dublin. St. Patrick's Cathedral, restored mostly with funds from the Guinness'. ~ Tour Guide Dave), it will be around for a very long time.

After our bus tour, we had supper at O'Neills pub. Best roast beef and yorkshire pudding I've had in a long time. And the cheapest sit-down meal we ate the entire week.

Then we embarked on a journey to find something to occupy ourselves for the evening. We tried movies, nothing good was playing in the city centre. We tried the theatre, but it took forever to find it, and they were sold out by the time we got there. We walked around looking for something spontaneous to do. But nothing! (outside of sitting in a pub, which after dark, isn't one of my favourite things to do) So, we went to bed early. Oh well.

Tomorrow, the whirlwind adventures end with the Rock of Cashel, and the saddest story of my life. Stay tuned!

This post is long enough, so I will leave you with my 3 favourite Dublin scenery pictures.