We were pretty pleased with ourselves that we'd picked (Bronnie) a place in a nice part of Dublin with about a 30 minute walk into the city centry and "the sights". So, after a yummy cooked brekky at the hotel (yep, I am liking the white pudding) we set off for Trinity College.

A pleasant stroll in the early spring weather, although the cool wind is deceptive, and we arrived at the university with the plan of seeing the Book of Kells and the old library. Touristed up, we bought a ticket to the midday viewing and went in. The display explaining the book was interesting with information about the various (many of the copper based) pigments, the bird quills, and the calf skin vellum (185 of them) that went into the manuscript itself. The Book is a latin version of the four gospels, but is done with incredibly ornate artwork on the lettering and edges of the pages. Very cool that as well as the typical Christian references, that there was clear interaction between the former "Celtic" religion and Christianity. The triscale (3 swirly thing) as an example but also various Celtic symbols have been beautifully incorporated into the artwork. Depictions of dragons, snakes etc that have links to the people who had converted to Christianity. The audio visual presentation told the story of the Book being written/transcribed from earlier copies at Iona (off the coast of Oban in the Hebrides) in around 800 AD. Courtesy of viking raids, the fact it survived is surprising! It was smuggled off Iona and was hidden for many centuries, before it was gifted to the relatively new Trinity College Dublin (founded in 1592) in the 1600s where it has been ever since. It's significance both in the artwork and its age makes it one of the library's most prized pieces. The page we saw depicted Luke 3:16-26 that tells of John the Baptist baptising Jesus and his lineage, allowing him to show he was of David's line. I've always thought that weird because that lineage came through to Joseph and he wasn't the father...

Next stop was into the old library. Many of the books have been removed from public display for conservation purposes, but 4 rows of books were there. Very cool. Old books. The collection is incredibly widespread. From philosophers, to history, the poets, scientists etc.

Enough academia, so across the road to the Whiskey museum for a coffee (and possibly an Irish Coffee), a chocolate shop and a stroll around to two of the Cathedrals. Somewhat aggrieved at the requirement to cough up over 20 euro to go inside, we ended up walking back to our accommodation to frock up for our evening entertainment at Celtic Nights...dinner and show/music/Irish dancing. We drove in to avoid some of the less safe parts of the city, which on driving back certainly were apparent, but the meal and show were brilliant.

The band comprised a guitar, a violin, an Irish flute (tin whistle?) and percussion (hand drum with foot tamborine). They were fabulous as were the four dancers who were just amazing. Great music and really fascinating to see how clear the influence of Irish folk music has been on American Country music and also of tap dancing.

Home to finalise the bags ready for flight tomorrow and a farewell to UK and Ireland...this time. The Ireland leg has been really fun and has confirmed for us that cities really aren't the major points of interest and often a day is enough. The people have been friendly and passionate about their homeland, and the scenery has been lovely. Some of the more touristy sites were just that, and I guess that's the modern way, but I can't help but think we're missing something real at times. Hmm. Musings...