Dublin 2010 (part 2)

Trinity College

Trinity College was founded in 1592 and it is the oldest university in Ireland. The university currently has about 10,000 students and is a popular tourist attraction as well as the University. The Book of Kells contains the Latin text of the four gospels decorated by Irish monks in the year 800 AD. The book is included in an exhibition in the Treasury room.

Dublin Castle

In the 9th century the Vikings built a hill fort on the site of the current castle and this was replaced with a Norman castle in 1204 on the orders of King John. The Castle was badly damaged by fire in 1684. After the 17th century the castle was a palace for the Viceroys of Ireland and English Kings and Queens until the end of British rule in Ireland in 1922. The castle is still used for elections and official state events often involving Head of State, including the inauguration of the Presidents of Ireland.

Christ Chruch Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral (or more formally, The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity) was founded on the former site of an old wooden church, which was built by Viking King Sitric Silkenbeard in 1038. The present stone cathedral was begun 140 years later, a huge construction work that continued into the 13th century. Over the years the cathedral has been changed many times, for instance in the late 19th century when it was fully renovated in a Victorian Neo-Gothic style. Much of the cathedrals medieval character has been removed over time, but the Christ Church Cathedral is still impressive outside and inside. Down in the large medieval crypt (64 meters long) you’ll find the oldest known secular carvings in Ireland, the Treasures of Christ Church exhibition, and a mummified cat and rat. Christ Church Cathedral is well worth a visit.

St. Patrick Church

St Patrick Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland. A wooden church was built on the present site in the 5th century when Ireland's patron saint, St Patrick, baptized his first Christian converts at a well on the site. The present church dates from the 12th century.
There are many religious and military artifacts, Ireland's largest organ, and statues of Jonathan Swift and Douglas Hyde, Ireland's first President.
When an argument between two Norman earls, was resolved, a hole was cut in a door to shake hands - this event took place in 1492 and the hole still exists. The cathedral has a musical tradition with St Patrick's Choir School which was founded in 1432.

Guinness Brewery

The Guinness brewery founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness.The World of Guinness exhibition is an audio-visual show about the history of Guinness, its advertising and a model Cooperage and Transport Museum. Tours are not of the actual brewery but there are with huge copper vats and pipes to see. Guinness is said to taste better from the brewery and the tour ends with a pint of Guinness in the bar.