The Great Courtyard

  Today we begin in the Great Courtyard or Upper Castle Yard of Dublin Castle.  It dates back to 1204 and was once the enclosure of King John’s Castle.   It is an immense rectangle that, for today at least, is displaying some very cool sand art:   The most eye-catching building in this courtyard is Bedford Tower:   Just …

Can Life Get Any Better!

  If I could live in a museum I would. Yesterday I mentioned we’d visit the interiors of Dublin Castle so let’s begin with the Chester Beatty Library, which was once an army ordinance office on these grounds:   The most striking thing about Dublin Castle is what a hodge-podge of architectural styles it is. But that is a testament …

We’ve Come A Long Way From The Early 1200s

  Before I left on this trip I watched a few episodes of Bite Me With Dr. Mike on the Travel Channel. It made me want to burn my passport, yet here I am. And before I sat down to write today’s entry I read an email from my mom. She’d forwarded me an article in Vietnamese about some deadly …

Sick and Indecent?

  So out of the corner of my eye over lunch I see the writing on the wall above. It does say indecent, right…just misspelled? Sick and indecent? How twisted is the Irish humor?  And where do I sign up for this club’s membership!?! But more about this later… From St. Patrick’s it’s an easy walk over to the Christ …

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Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat!

Any idea where I am?   How about now?   OK, you’re getting close…you are here:   Céad míle fáilte romhat!  “A hundred thousand welcomes to you” is an Irish Gaelic blessing that’s lovely in sentiment and even lovelier when spoken.  When I said I could listen to Dutch commercials and be happy, I hadn’t yet spent a few days …