Trinity College, Temple Bar, and Music and Dance

Our first full day in Dublin had us out and about via Sharon's favorite mode off urban conveyance while traveling, the Hop On Hop Off tour busses. Our first stop was Trinity College, of course. When we were here in 2009 we did not get to see the Book of Kells. This day we did. No photography, but above the display was the Long Room, which is the main chamber of the Old Library. The room dates from the 18th century, though the books are much older, with the 19th century addition of the vaulted ceiling. It was this amateur photographer's playground.

 The College itself was in bloom

From there we walked along the river and into the medieval city, the Temple Bar

In the evening, we visited The Merry Ploughboy Pub outside the city in the hills. The show was designed for tourists, but very well done. Unfortunately the dance was influenced by Riverdance which recast traditional Irish dance into a caricature of itself. The music was authentic, though slanted, too, toward the popular. The food was surprisingly good and our driver told us that one of the musician-owners is also a cook.

Note the backdrop to the stage, 1916-1921: The Merry Ploughboy Remembers

Tuesday's theme is Irish Patriotism, a visit to Kilmainham Gaol, where many Irish Patriots from before and after the Easter Uprising were imprisone and executed and then the General Post Office where the uprising began.