Storm Amy is on her way across the Atlantic making landfall soon on Irelands West Coast. She’s expected to bring lots of rain and strong winds. Glad we’re on the east coast enjoying Dublin.
Then we were asked by the hotel to bring in our deck chairs. Today there are gusts of 50-70 mph expected and ☔️. Since Jeff sent his rain gear home with our golf bag he gets to wear my cute raspberry rain coat. 😜. Our umbrellas went too.
We borrowed an umbrella and took off for a walk to Trinity College for a tour and to see the Book of Kells. I first saw this in 1990 and it’s totally upgraded and an extraordinary exhibit.
The trek over was rainy and windy but the worst weather comes later. Trinity college is so cool. I learned if you visit in the summer you can book a room(s) on the campus. Next time!
We experienced the wonder of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure, which included entry to the Old Library and the digital exhibition in the Red Pavilion and the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells is a masterpiece of medieval art. It is a superbly decorated, handwritten copy of the story of the life of Jesus Christ set out in the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. The Book of Kells was written in Latin, on vellum (calfskin), close to the year 800 AD.
The display and history room was an excellent display and introduction before seeing the actual book.
The jewel in the Library’s crown is the gth century manuscript, the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is a masterpiece that is equally spiritually, artistically and historically important.
One gets lost in the intricacy of its workmanship and its extraordinary journey from lona in Scotland in 800AD, over the Irish Sea to Kells, and onwards to Dublin in present day.
Just a few
Photography of the Book of Kells is prohibited. It’s protected behind glass and seeing the opened page is a glimpse into the amazing book and its history.
We then entered the Library Long Room. Breathtaking and yet surprisingly the shelves are nearly empty. Why? Because they are being meticulously restored, cataloged and protected. It will take up to 5 years to complete the task.
Gaia is an artwork by artist Luke Jerram, featuring 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface.
Gaia, was a mythological goddess and personification of the Earth, often referred to as ‘Mother Earth.
The 6 metre diameter installation provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in 3D.
Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Jerram’s intention for Gaia to highlight the beauty and fragility of the Earth chimes with that of The Old Library Redevelopment Project to safeguard the 18th century building and conserve its precious collections for future generations.
Gaia has been created in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, the Natural Environment Research Council, Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
The Brian Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp and is the model for the insignia of Ireland.
Traditionally, but mistakenly, linked with Brian Boru, high king of Ireland who was killed in 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf (now in the suburbs of Dublin), it probably dates from the later middle ages.
Made from willow and oak, with 29 brass strings (originally 30), its elaborate designs, silver neck mount and embedded crystal suggest that it belonged to a master musician, such as would have played for the noble households of Gaelic Ireland and Scotland.
Coming to light in Limerick in the eighteenth century, it was presented to Trinity College Dublin by William Burton Conyngham (1733-96). It was restored in 1969.
The Old Library Redevelopment Project is currently underway to safeguard the 18h century building and conserve its precious collections for future generations. The team have decanted 200,000 early printed books from the Library shelves for preservation and safekeeping. In over 30,000 intricately stacked boxes, thousands of tales are waiting to be discovered.
On to the Book of Kells experience.
Details of the books were cataloged and some of the works being preserved from harm and for future generations. Incredible preservation project.
Read the detail of a few samples of what’s in each box
Then a movie on the history and an immersion experience.
Incredible!!!
We had a nice lunch in a campus cafe and it was so fun to see all of the Trinity College coeds. Jeff said “they’re so young!” He’s funny 😁
The way home blew us around but we had to stop at some street art.
And some familiar games
Of course it’s FIKA time so we stopped for a cappuccino and were blown back to our home away from home.
An incredible day in Dublin City.
