Our day out in Dublin!

After a much needed sleep in we finally ventured out into the streets of Dublin where we encountered Molly Malone!

Then the difficult decision of which HOHO bus to take, we finally decided on the green one cos we're in Ireland!

 

First stop was the lovely Christ Church Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. There has been a church on this site since 1028 and here we tried to make sense of the Viking and Medieval history of Dublin - not an easy task but definitely interesting.

Then we walked a few blocks down the street to St Patrick's Cathedral which we assumed was the Catholic Cathedral only to discover that it's another Church of Ireland Cathedral!! (What happened to the one Cathedral per city rule?!) A church has stood on this site since the fifth century as it is believed that St Patrick baptised converts in a well in the park next to the current Cathedral. Jonathon Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was Dean here from 1713-45 and is buried in the Cathedral. The Cathedral has a choir school and we were lucky enough to hear some of the boys practising with their teacher.

Last stop for the afternoon was Kilmainham Gaol which operated between 1796 and 1924 where we learnt more about the modern history of Ireland. Our guide told us about the rebellions of the 19th Century and the Potato Famine where people committed crimes to get into gaol as at least there they would get food every day. We learnt about the 1916 Rising and the leaders who were imprisoned briefly in Kilmainham before being executed. It was interesting to hear that whilst the general public didn't support the rebellion the execution of its leaders really turned public opinion to the point where the leaders were idolised and considered to be martyred. Afterwards we explored the museum and learnt more about these events as well as the War of Indepence and the Civil War. A lot to take in and make sense of!

The stone breakers yard at the Gaol where the leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed.

Despite the wish of many to forget the events that took place at Kilmainham Gaol, it was restored and opened as a museum in 1966, just in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the 1916 Rising. Since then it has also been used as a film set - In the Name of the Father was filmed here.

The newer part of Kilmainham - look familiar?

Tomorrow - back on the HOHO bus and on a mission to find the Catholic Cathedral! Who would have thought it would be so difficult in Dublin?!

 

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