We have a Guest Blogger

I asked Sean to write a little about our trip to Dublin and here it is:





It would be difficult to say which of our two days in Ireland was the happiest. On the first day we took a Tourist Office where we tried to hire a scooter without success but bought some little souvenirs and a Dublin Guide Book. Soon we were in the beautiful Dublin Writers Museum where it so happened an actor was about to act out some passages from Irish literature in a mere ten minutes. We went to his interesting and most amusing act. In particular he acted out Dean Swift’s list of resolutions to himself. We saw portraits of George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce to name but two. After that we took a taxi to Christchurch Cathedral. WE were surprised to learn that although Dublin is about 95% Catholic its two Cathedrals, Christchurch and d Saint Patrick’s are both Anglican, a hangover, so to speak, of the British Raj. The most interesting feature of Christchurch is its huge crypt which spans the whole surface area of the Cathedral. In it we saw, in the treasure chamber, a huge Tabernacle which had been put in by James II, and some huge golden communion plates put in by William of Orange after he had won the Battle of the Boyne.

After that we walked along an adjoining street and found somewhere to have a bowl of soup as darkness fell. Then we hailed another taxi. Soon we were back on the tram. In the evening we had a splendid dinner in the hotel consisting of Antipasti and a pint of Guinness.

Michelle had armed us with a car. So next day we set off for Malahide, a dear little castle about twenty miles out of town. It had beautiful spacious grounds around it. There were children riding bicycles and there were some parents playing with their lively young daughter. It was immensely peaceful and idyllic. Nearby was a road with the most beautiful autumnal trees with auburn leaves. After that we went to a little fishing port called Howth. There were fishermen mending their nets just like in the New Testament. We had a nice lunch in a pub overlooking the harbour. Somewhere along the quayside there was a marvelous Irish notice which said Public Keep Out. Then it was back to our hotel and a quiet evening in.

None of what I have said above adequately expresses how very lovely it was to be away from it all and together. I will treasure the memory of those two days as having been amongst the happiest of my life. We found Ireland clean, spotless, friendly, orderly, civilized, cheerful, and enjoying a surprisingly high standard of living.