“Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.”
Psalm 135:13
Happy Thursday sweet friends! Our warm temps and spring-like weather has quickly turned back to winter. I am sure my patio peach trees and snowball bushes will be bitten by the frost. Hopefully, the Lady Banks roses won’t suffer. One thing for sure, weather isn’t predictable. With St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, I have been thinking of our amazing trip we made to Ireland a couple of years ago, especially with some newly discovered information. Recently my brother did the DNA test for the purpose of knowing ancestry. It was family legend that our maternal great-grandmother was a Native American Cherokee. My mother and all of her siblings had dark complexions, hair, and eyes with high cheek bones. So, it all seemed to make sense. My Dad and his family are fair-skinned with red hair and blue eyes. The results from the DNA test were shocking. There was zero percent of Native American and sixty percent English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry.
Ireland is an intriguing place, a place that we would like to visit again and stay a wee bit longer. Today we will revisit Dublin, a fascinating city with a lot to see and do. One striking thing to us was the helpful and friendly people we met on the streets of Dublin. It was as if we were old friends and they had known us forever. A couple of young Irish lads we met “cut loose to singing” (as we might say in the south) ”Sweet Home Alabama”. We felt right at home. Welcome to Dublin!!
Trinity College was founded in 1592 and is Ireland’s oldest university. It is one of the most esteemed universities in the world and one of the city’s most beautiful sights.
The Campanile of Trinity College is a bell tower and one of its most iconic landmarks.
Sphere Within Sphere by Italian sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro, is a bronze sculpture that stands outside the Berkeley Library on the campus of Trinity.
The Old Library is the oldest surviving building on campus. The Book of Kells, a renowned artifact, is housed in the Library. Created by Celtic monks circa 800 AD, the Book of Kells contains lavishly decorated copy in Latin of the Four Gospels of the New Testament. It is one of Ireland’s national treasures. No photos were allowed. The Long Room is the main chamber of the Old Library and measures 65 metres (about 213 feet) in length.
The Long Room houses around 200,000 of the Library’s oldest and rarest books. Marble busts are placed down either side of the room, a collection that began in 1743.
As an avid reader with a passion for books, I was overwhelmed with the Long Room of leather-bound books from floor to ceiling.
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. It is situated at the mouth of the River Liffey which flows through the center of Dublin and divides the city in two.
One of three foot-bridges, The Ha’penny Bridge was built in 1816.
Christ Church is Dublin’s oldest cathedral. Originally a wooden church founded in 1038, this building was started in 1172. Though restored in the late 19th century, the church retains much of its original structure.
The church’s nave contains high pointed arches and ornate decoration.
While we were visiting, we were excited to hear a concert by the First Christian Church Chancel Choir of Norman, Oklahoma. The acoustics were amazing and their arrangement of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was magnificent!
The medieval crypt dates from possibly the 11th century and is the oldest structure in Dublin. It is most unusual in stretching under the entire church. It is a forest of rough-stone pillars which carry the entire weight of the cathedral and central tower.
At the west end of the cathedral is a fully integrated stone bridge, leading to the former synod hall.
On the south bank of the River Liffey just west of Trinity College is the Temple Bar area. This district is informally known as Dublin’s cultural quarter.
The Temple Bar area is known for its shops, boutiques, restaurants and pubs along its cobblestoned streets.
The Temple Bar is the most popular pub with its lively music. We investigated the many small rooms and then enjoyed a lunch of traditional Irish fare.
The flowers were prolific all over Dublin…with the moist climate, they thrive!
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is Dublin’s other medieval cathedral. Founded in 1191, its present form dates back to 1220.
The weather was nice on the day we visited St. Patrick’s…its adjacent park was full of people enjoying the pleasant temperatures.
The architecture, sculptures, and meticulous carvings are amazing!
The grand church was fully restored in the late 19th century by the famed Guiness family.
Gorgeous mosaic floor in the nave!
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When we exited, the weather had changed…a heavy downpour of rain was falling. We walked for several blocks with umbrellas, but finally a taxi came to our rescue!
Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed our trip to Dublin!
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Hello Pam, I travelled with your beautiful puctures. Thank you so much and have a great day!
Thank you and wishing you a great day!
Really enjoyed this, Thankyou!
Thanks so much!
On my bucket list! Thanks for the tour again!
Thank you Rita!
Beautiful photos, Pam. It had to be a marvelous trip. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thanks so much, Sandra!
Enjoyed traveling to Dublin this morning with you. Hope to visit Ireland one day.
Interesting to find out about your ancestry.
It was 36 here this morning. Supposed to be colder tonight.
Have a great day.
Good morning Bonnie, it was 29 here with frost on the roof tops!
These are amazing photos of Dublin. The architecture is extraordinary. Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral have quite the history. I loved seeing the floor to ceiling library and I could almost hear “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” at St. Patrick’s. This is one of my favorite hymns. Thank you for taking us on this beautiful tour. Awesome!
Thank you for joining me Dianne. It truly is an amazing city!
Pam, I meant Christ Church with the choir. Both of these cathedrals are amazing.
Both were amazing, Dianne!
Great pictures!Hugs!
Thank you Maristella!
This is fun, Pam. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland. Want to finish England first, but Ireland is high on the list! I think I would be happy if my visit consisted of nothing but that library and some Irish music in the pub! A little step dancing thrown in. It looks like your trip was just terrific and I sigh thinking of the joy of it all!
I don’t know what program you did your DNA on but I learned something interesting. Mine was done through Ancestry but since my family tree is My Heritage, I uploaded the results to that. The percentages changed — a lot! I’m not sure how that happens and hope to ask someone. It didn’t put anything in that wasn’t there before (well, actually, a little) but I was surprised by the numbers! Now I want to do a different test, but I’m thinking I should just save the money to travel! They say Ancestry tends to have quite a UK focus so I wonder if that was part of it. Go figure. Well, if I understood everything life has to offer, the rest of life would probably be boring!
Thank you Jeanie. The DNA test was done through Ancestry. Saving the money to travel sounds wonderful to me. There are still so many places I want to go. The library was unbelievable, as were the Irish people. So much fun!
Wonderful post, Pam. It makes me want to go back to Dublin since it has been many years since I was there. My memory of all of Ireland is that is was greener than anywhere I have ever seen, and that still holds true.
Thank you Patti. It is definitely green!
I love traveling with you Pam, and Ireland looks like such an utterly charming place. So much history and architectural beauty! Hilarious that you met a couple who burst into singing Sweet Home Alabama! I bet you were drooling over all the flowers! So interesting about the DNA test, I have read so many similar stories lately. Thanks for sharing,
Jenna
The flowers were just stunning, Jenna. The Irish are friendly and fun!
Thank You for the beautiful trip to Ireland. And the wonderful presentation.
My pleasure and thanks for traveling with me!
Love Dublin…been to Ireland 3x and Dublin just once!
Love Trinity College too!
Your pictures brought some nostalgic memories to mind!
Love all the beautiful pictures!
Thanks so much Esther. You have traveled the world extensively dear friend!
Awe, what a wonderful trip. The pictures are beautiful. I have wanted to do one of those DNA tests. I Think! LOL! So glad you carried us down memory lane with you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you sweet Cindy!
Happy Thursday Pam, When they say great minds think alike, it takes me to your post. I was just sitting down to repost photos from our trip to Ireland three years ago. I’m thinking your mom and her siblings could have had some “black Irish” in them-simply that they have the dark hair, eyes etc. All four of my grandparents came over from Ireland, so it was a huge blessing to be able to go see where they were born and lived. They all passed before I was born. The land calls to me, but we saw almost the whole island when we were there. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Noreen
Thank you Noreen. I have to read up on the “Black Irish”. The land calls to me, also.
Pam, I got the same results with my DNA profile too. I even have a Degree of Indian Blood card with the Cherokee Nation. My ancestors have roll numbers, and my 5th Great Grandfarher was Chief of the Eastern Texas Band of Cherokees. I even have ancestors that came to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. It’s crazy how that test works. If you research this, you will find all kinds of theories. On another note, your pictures are beautiful, and I dream of going to Ireland, Scotland. and Great Britain to see where my ancestors lived. It looks like such a beautiful place! Happy Thursday, sweet friend!!!
We visited Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England on this particular trip. Thanks for sharing about your ancestry. That is so interesting. Have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend!
Wow, to hear the chancel choir most of been awesome. When we were in London the boys choir was practing at Westminuster Abbey. I took my seat and could not be moved, thought my husband was going to leave me. Would have been ok as long as they were singing! Have you not heard of the dark Irish? My nice is married to a handsome man who is of Irish desent. He is handsome as can be , has dark hair and very tan skin and is a dark Irish descendant. It was new to me also as I am Scotch, Irish, French. Love the pictures and would love to visit Ireland again. My family name is Collins and the name Collins was everywhere.
Alice, you are the second one who has mentioned the dark Irish. It is new to me. I am going to read about it. The choir was wonderful and the acoustics were glorious.
My dear friend, what a wonderful trip that I have enjoyed seeing and enjoying … but this gives me the opportunity to tell you a secret … shhhhhhhh
At the end of April I will visit Dublin and Cork !!!
Do you remember my blog article about Cork and the St. Fimbars oratory that is magical for me? … because my daughters gave me the Christmas trip to visit it !!!
Let’s all go, my daughters, my sons-in-law and my grandchildren !!! I’m like a little girl with her toys, it’s a wonderful gift and that’s why my photos of today have given me a lot of joy because they are beautiful.
Dolores
Dolores, ¡estoy tan emocionada por ti! Recuerdo tu publicación de blog. Este será un viaje maravilloso para compartir con su familia. Estaré esperando ansiosamente para ver sus fotos cuando regrese! Abrazos, Pam
Thank You so much for the tour of Dublin. Being Irish the trip is very interesting to me. Love the DNA part too.
Marion
Thank you Marion, Ireland is beautiful!
What lovely pictures of Dublin. Thank You for sharing. Ireland is such a beautiful country. I am Irish and would love to visit Ireland some day.
Marilyn
Marilyn, I so hope you can visit, it is a beautiful and friendly country!
What gorgeous photos! The trip to Dublin with you was quite enjoyable! That architecture is fabulous!!
Thank you Nancy!
Pam, what a wonderful trip. It’s great to visit through your eyes and photos. We hope to visit one day. I found out I am 31% Irish/Scottish. Love the old buildings. A treasure of beautiful places. Perfect time to share this again.
Thanks so much Linda. Hopefully you can visit.
We’ve not been to Ireland and keep talking about it without making it happen. Your post has fired me up so maybe it’s time to make it happen.
Linda, since you have traveled so extensively, you must make it to Ireland!
I really enjoyed your tour of Dublin. I was there for one day – most of the day is a blur to me (and so are my pictures… blurry, that is!). It rained (surprise!). It was a pretty city.
Thank you Angelina!
Thank you for taking us along on your beautiful trip to Dublin….I so love the beautiful architecture … and those flowers are truly breathtaking!!
Dublin was truly delightful!
My goodness- that library is breathtaking. The inside of the church is amazing and I enjoyed seeing some of the interior details. The street scene with the bright red painted bar fronts is fantastic! I don’t know that I could take the rainy cloudy conditions they have but I know it makes for lush greenery!
What wonderful photos, I haven’t been to Ireland in years. Really enjoyed seeing Dublin through your post. The weather for the most part look good…what month did you travel in?
Hi Karen, thanks for visiting. We were there in August. Actually the weather was excellent, except for that one shower that we got caught in.