2012 IRELAND TRIP

FEBRUARY 26
Dublin***Bus Tour***Merrion Square***Kilmainham Gaol***Dublin Castle
DUBLIN (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath, the common name for the city in modern Irish meaning "town of the hurdled ford"), derived from the Irish name Dubhlinn, meaning "black pool", is situated at the mouth of the River Liffey. Bought a 2-day pass on the sightseeing tour bus to acquaint us of the city.

Molly Malone statue; the Olympia Theatre; and St Patrick's Cathedral.

Got off the bus at MERRION SQUARE (Irish: Cearnóg Mhuirfean), a Georgian square on the southside of Dublin, to check the park and see the statue of Oscar Wilde seated on a huge rock and his house on No. 1 Merrion Square. Also in the park is a pyramid structure of granite and glass with an eternal flame designed by artist Brian King and it is a National Memorial to Members of the Defence Forces.

Got off the bus again at KILMAINHAM GAOL (Irish: Príosún Chill Mhaighneann) a former prison where many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and some executed in the prison by the British and in 1923 by the Irish Free State. Among its famous prisoners were Robert Emmett, who led a rebellion in 1803, and Éamon de Valera who became President of Ireland in 1959. James Connolly was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Next stop was DUBLIN CASTLE (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath), which was until 1922 the seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Upon establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the complex was ceremonially handed over to the newly formed Provisional Government led by Michael Collins.

The Chapel Royal and the Record Tower, the sole surviving tower of the mediæval castle dating from c.1228. The State Apartments contain the rooms formerly used by the Lord Lieutenant for personal accommodation and public entertaining during the Castle Season now used by the Irish Government for official engagements like hosting of State Visit ceremonial and the inauguration of the President every seven years. State Drawing Room, the Throne Room, and St Patrick's Hall.

FEBRUARY 27
Dublin***Bus Tour***Trinity College***Christchurch***Temple Bar
Back in DUBLIN for the second day of the bus tour and our first stop was Trinity College (Irish: Coláiste na Tríonóide), formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth. Ireland's oldest university was founded in 1592. Huge 200-year-old Oregon maple tree and the Old Library that contains the famous Book of Kells.

Oliver Goldsmith statue; the Campanile; Linda with our Trinity College tour guide.

Christchurch and the General Post Office.

A couple of bronze markers on the Dublin sidewalks.

The Spire; James Joyce statue; and the Wellington Monument.

Dublin Doors; Linda on the Ha' Penny Bridge.

Temple Bar (Irish: Barra an Teampaill) is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey with many narrow cobbled streets and has a lively nightlife that is popular with tourists.