Anyhow, I went to Trinity College, visited the Long Room and Book of Kells, marvelling how two sections of a book rival the Crown Jewels in London, in terms of visitors. By the time I had left (I arrived pretty much as it opened), queues had formed. The sheer workmanship that went into the creation of the Book of Kells and the vellum pages its contents were written on, are actually far more impressive than the finished product as it is presented in a darkened room. Owing to its age, the pages are only changed every six months (I believe). The Long Room was fascinating with Latin inscriptions above each section. Guides to arcane and possibly more practical knowledge.
Outside of the Long Room, the Trinity College grounds were impressive and I have a strong feeling that it's Freshers' Week owing to the stalls outside the establishment. I enjoyed looking at the random sculptures and signs with exercise suggestions scattered around the playing fields.
After this visit, I went to the National Gallery of Ireland and was slightly underwhelmed by its contents. Everything seemed to be shut or undergoing refurbishment. Having said that, the exhibition about recently acquired pieces was interesting, particularly the early wordless graphic novels.
I believe I then headed to 29 Fitzwilliam Street, the Georgian House Museum and learnt about the lives of a Georgian family and their servants. I was particularly captivated with the learning diagrams and exercises that children would have studied. These included lists of foods and useful terms from the Bible such as 'sin' and 'charity' and a handy reference to where they could be located via line and verse number.
From here I had a quick look in St. Stephen's Green (as I later learnt, home to some vicious fighting during the Irish Civil War, which was only stopped for a brief period each day to allow the ground keeper to feed his ducks).
Then on to the Little Museum of Dublin, an entirely random yet also usefully succinct overview of Irish social and cultural history. This visit began with a tour guide explaining some of the items in the collection including the gold Monster Munch artwork (a commentary on the so-called 'Celtic Tiger' period of Irish history before the economy crashed). Also one room was dedicated to everyone's favourite Irish folk band, U2.
From here I continued wandering, not really sure what I wanted to do, so I headed back near my hotel and visited the James Joyce Centre, which offered a pretty comprehensive overview of his life and work. It inspired me to start reading 'Ulysses'. After all, I have already read the ending as they have an early edition of the book open to its last page in the Little Museum of Dublin. It was interesting to see the cultural influences on Joyce including theatre posters and performers.
I hit a cafe after this absorbing a hot chocolate and slice of carrot cake, surreptitiously eavesdropping on a fairly intense conversation between friends. I do indeed agree that 'good can come out of a crisis'. Sometimes, watching human beings interact restores your faith in the species, especially when they admit their weaknesses.
I skirted past Dublin Castle as I really wasn't in the mood to enter. I went to a fish and chip shop and had smoked haddock in batter. It really shouldn't work and I am still not sure it does.
I then headed off to the hotel again, unsure what to do with my last evening. I have been tossing up between seeing some theatre, going to the cinema or simply reading in the hotel room. But before this, I went to the Wax Museum, which was pretty terrible, although I did fill my pants in the Chamber of Horrors, when I saw the 'Buffalo Bill' exhibit (from 'The Silence of the Lambs').
At some point today, I also finally visited the G.P.O. Quite a heavy duty overview of the Easter Rising that at least succeeded in humanising the actions that contributed to the event and also managed to simplify other aspects of Irish political history. The use of children as messengers seems to be a feature of political actions and events.
My experiences in Ireland are teaching me that politics in its myriad forms is a fundamental interest of many people. Protesters are everywhere. There seems to be some kind of action against proposed changes to abortion law. Also today was something like 'No car' day. Just a shame, that someone forgot to let the drivers know.
My general view of Ireland and its people is essentially positive. I just see lots of driven individuals, anxious to achieve their goals. There does seem to be a problem with poverty and alcoholism. I suspect this isn't helped when you consider how many pubs are scattered about.
Dublin feels like Berlin and nothing at all like London. London is apathetic and veers towards inertia. Dublin is happening. I wouldn't call Ireland laid back but the proximity of so many students around Dublin help to generate its life force and sense of vibrancy. Oh yes, the spirit of 'Molly Malone' too. I blame her shellfish and spirited nightlife.
Barry Watt - 22nd September 2016.
Photographs.
The Long Room in Trinity College.
Latin inscription in the Long Room.
This is not the Death Star from 'Star Wars'. It's a sculpture in Trinity College.
Exercise advice in the grounds of Trinity College.
Oscar Wilde lazing around in Merrion Square Park.
Samuel Beckett in the Wax Museum, looking pensive.
I sometimes feel like this.
Afterword.
Here's a link to the Book of Kells at Trinity College and also a link for Trinity College's main website:
https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells/
https://www.tcd.ie/
The National Gallery of Ireland also has its own website, which makes me want to revisit when there are more exhibitions open:
http://www.nationalgallery.ie/
Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street is a great place to visit:
http://www.numbertwentynine.ie/
The Little Museum of Dublin is a must see attraction in Dublin. Its focus on the cultural aspects of Dublin and its people opens up the day to day life of people going about their normal business:
http://www.littlemuseum.ie/
U2 are a fairly well known Irish band. They even have their own website:
http://www.u2.com/index/home
The James Joyce Centre is worth a visit if you like museums etc dedicated to specific writers:
http://jamesjoyce.ie/
'Ulysses' is perhaps James Joyce's best known novel. Numerous publishers have produced versions of it including Wordsworth Classics who produce a very economical version of the novel. Everyone seems to own it, few people finish it. I have yet to start reading it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ulysses-Wordsworth-Classics-James-Joyce/dp/1840226358
Dublin Castle has a website. I didn't go in but I walked past it:
http://www.dublincastle.ie/
The National Wax Museum Plus didn't do much for me but I wasn't really in the mood, it may be more enjoyable for you:
http://www.waxmuseumplus.ie/
'Buffalo Bill' is a character from 'The Silence of the Lambs', a novel by Thomas Harris that subsequently became a film. The character is a little unusual and as I don't want to spoil his particular drive or overriding need to you, I will say no more. Read the book or see the film!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silence-Lambs-Hannibal-Thomas-Harris/dp/0099532921/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479039859&sr=1-2&keywords=the+silence+of+the+lambs
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silence-Lambs-DVD-Jodie-Foster/dp/B00005KIVV/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1479039928&sr=1-1&keywords=the+silence+of+the+lambs+film
The General Post Office is probably the most politically and culturally significant building in Irish history, so if you are in Dublin, you really should visit it:
http://www.dublindna.ie/the-gpo/
'Star Wars' is a film that inspired a number of sequels and so much merchandising and was originally created by George Lucas:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars
'Molly Malone' is a popular song in Dublin. Almost an anthem. I get the feeling that she didn't really exist sadly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Malone
B.W.
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