After 1 week in Naas, my workmate in Malaysia said that she will also be coming to Ireland. So when I found out that I was extending my stay, I quickly got in touch with Anie as soon as I can. Since my flight that time was on a Friday night we still have one day to become a tourist. I went to her hotel and spent my night there since the airport is just nearby.
Since Friday is still a working day. I waited for Anie to finish her meeting in the morning. Our half day touristy adventure started during lunch time, where she took me to one of her favourite
restaurants in Dublin.
Peacock Green
Peackock Green is a small restaurant, located in Lord Edward Street, Dublin, is a small restaurant where pasta, pastries and cakes are freshly made. The restaurant only have a sitting capacity of 10-15 people. The ambiance in my opinion is one of the main reasons why people return to this place. It has that homey and relaxing ambiance where one could just spend their afternoon in and drink their cup of tea. The overcrowded wall full of paintings, printed images and cross-stitch, comfortable sofas and those lovely throw pillows would make you feel so relaxed.
The food is so lovely and healthy. Another thing to try in this cafe is their signature hot chocolate which Anie reccommended. It has the rich frothy thick chocolatey taste that you will always drink in this cold weather.
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| A wall full of memorabilias |
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| Anie Bananie scheduling our half day touristy event |
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| Lovely design outside of their cafe/restaurant |
Anie has been in Ireland couple of times already so I knew that I am in good hands and we would not get lost around the city. Our first stop is the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral. Known also as The National Catheddral and Collegiate Church of St. Patrick, It is the largest church in Ireland which is 140 feet. This historical place is built in honour of Ireland's patron saint St. Patrick where he baptised converts during hhis visit in Dublin.
Built in 1191, the cathedral is open to the public as an architectural and historical sight. Before entering, a € 6.00 fee must be paid for adults. The architectural designs depicts the 18th century design which was recently restored. I am not by anyfar an art major but the display tells you the history of Catholisism in Ireland.
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| Courtyard where peoople can just sit and feed the birds |
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| Inside the St. Patrick church |
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| A small area where you light a candle and say your personal prayer to the Lord |
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| Reminds me of the hall in the Harry Potter movie |
Dublin Castle is designed as a major defensive work by Fitzhenry on the orders of King John of England during the 1204. It has strong walls and good ditches for the defence of the city, administration of justice and protection of the King's treasure. It has the Norman design courtyard central square bounded by tall defensive walls.
A € 6.50 ticket price is required to be purchased for all tourists. The Dublin Castle has a land area of 11 acres containing 2 museums, 2 cafes, international coference center where deligates and government officials can have their national meeting, 2 gardens, Government Buildinga nd Apartments.
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| Central Square, Dublin Castle. Surrounded by stong walls as a protection of the city |
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| Ticket prices |
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| Postcards from different times |
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| State Drawing Room Builty in the 1830s, the State Drawing Room is used as the main reception room of the Lord Lieutenant and his family. Today this room is used for the reception of foreign dignitaries. This room was reconstructed for it was destroyed by fire in 1941. |
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| With Anie Bananie |
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| Throne Room Originally built as the Battleaxe Hall in the 1740s, it was converted to a Presence Chamber around 1790. The regal decoration dates from that time and from alterations in the 1830s. It contains a throne built for the visit of King George IV to Ireland in 1821. (from WKPD) |
Trinity College
The most famous University in Dublin is the Trinity College. Inside the College is where you can find the famous Old Library and the Book of Kells. As you enter, you will be inside the building first where a shop is situated and where you could buy a ticket. The personnel in the ticket booth was kind enough to give us a discount as he thought that the two of us are students studying in Trinity. Instead of paying € 10.00, we only paid € 9.00 because of the kind hearted man.
The Book of Kells is a 9th century gospel manuscript which could be found in the bible. It has four Gospels which is written in Latin on a vellum (calfskin). The Book of Kells has been in the Old Library from 19th century. Only two gospels are currently displayed in the museum: one to show the two pages of the script and the other one opened to display the decorated pages. I did not have any pictures inside the Book of Kells as you are not allowed to take any kind of photography.
As you go up you will notice a change in ambiance which depicts that you are now entering the Old Library. The main chamber of the Old Library is called the Long Room which is 65 metres in length and filled with 200,000 books of the library's oldest books. Built during the 18th century is has a flat plaster ceiling and book shelves from the floor to the ceiling. You will also notice 14 busts of well know philosophers, writers and men connected with Trinity College. which was commissioned during 1743 by the famous sculptor Peter Scheemakes.
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| Map of the Trinity College |
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| The spiral staircase which will take the old students to the upper part of the library. People are not allowed to go upstairs or inside the bookshelves to protect the displays |
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| Old Library: Long Room The main attraction in the Old Library, where you could see the old books, book shelves, staircases used to get the books from the upper part of the book shelves and bust of famous people |
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