GOT Weekend in Ireland - part 3
As part of our trip to Ireland, we had decided to visit Dublin for the day. We took the green M1 Express coach from Belfast Glengall Street to Dublin - Custom House Quay, approx. 2hrs 25mins.
Dublin
Trinity College - The Book of Kells and The Old Library
The Book of Kells is a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. Inside the Trinity College, there is an exhibition about the history and origins of the book.
The Long Room is filled with over 200,000 books and is an impressive and beautiful library. Alongside the walls are marble busts of great philosophers and writers connected with Trinity College. There is also a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic and 15th century harp made of oak and willow on display.
The Little Museum of Dublin
This museum captures the history of Dublin and is full of items donated from the local people. I would recommend the guided tour, as it was entertaining and informative, giving you a brief overview of Dublin in 30 minutes. On the top floor, you will find a room dedicated to the band U2.
Dublin Castle
We booked a guided tour of the castle because they take you underground to the original excavated walls and the Victorian Chapel Royal, which are not included with the self-guided tour. Originally the castle began as an Anglo-Norman fortress commissioned in 1204 by King John. Inside you will find the State Apartments and St Patrick's Hall which are used by the Irish government for Presidential Inaugurations and State Functions. The James Connolly room was where he was taken to the Castle after being shot in the 1916 Rising. The Castle was an important in terms of history and politics for Ireland.
Guinness Storehouse
Located at St. James's Gate Brewery, the Guinness Storehouse takes you through the history of the brand and the process of making the beer. The site has been home to the Guinness brewery since 1759 when Arthur Guinness had signed the lease. The visitor experience stretches over seven floors taking you through the different stages with the Gravity Bar at the top where you can have a complimentary pint with panoramic views of the city. There is also the opportunity to pull your own pint on the 4th floor. You can save some money by booking tickets online, however they require a time slot and as we didn't know what time we would arrive, we ended up buying tickets inside.
Kilmainham Gaol
A former prison where Irish political and military leaders were detained including the 1916 Easter Rising leaders, Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell and Éamon de Valera. The site is only accessible through a pre-booked guided tour, where they will take you around and provide an insight into what it was like in the prison in the 1900's. The stories of the leaders were very thought provoking, brave and inspiring and ultimately they helped to shape and influence the course of Ireland and its people. There is also a museum with more information on the history of the prison and artefacts.