We only had one full day to spend in Dublin, but managed to hit several of the city's highlights. Dublin castle is one of the city's oldest landmarks, dating back to 1204.
We got to hear some great Irish pub music which totally made Don's day, and we also toured the Jameson factory.
My favorite thing in Dublin was our visit to Trinity College. Founded in 1592, Trinity is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain, and also Ireland's oldest university. The campus is so beautiful. Both of our kids were daydreaming about attending school there by the time we left. Heck, I kind of even wanted to go back to school if I could go there!
As if the history and beauty of the college weren't enough, its library is ah-mazing! It is Ireland's largest research library and home to over five million books. One of the very special books on display there is the Book of Kells. Believed to have been created around 800 A.D., the Book of Kells is a manuscript of the Four Gospels, which was written in Latin in a Columban monastery in Ireland. The illustrations and decorations on this manuscript are so lavish and intricate, and one look at it leaves no doubt as to why the book is considered Ireland's greatest national treasure. Of course, no pictures are allowed, so you'll just have to believe me when I say it was a sight to behold.
The college's library is comprised of several buildings, The original, Old Library, is where the Book of Kells and other rare books are displayed. It's also where the most magnificent Long Room is located. We stepped into this room and never wanted to leave. It's literally the library of a book-lover's dream!
This room is where thousands of very rare, very early books are housed.
If this library had been the only thing we'd seen in Dublin, it would have been worth the trip. Everything else was just icing on the cake, and Dublin definitely gets a thumbs up from our family!
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