DUBLIN PART 2

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We are at Dublin for our second visit before flying home. We stayed at the Mespil hotel which is very modern and comfortable. We took a day trip to the Glendalough lakes which was very picturesque. We also stopped at a sheep farm where a demonstration of the capabilities of sheep dog was given. That was very impressive!

We also visited the Epic museum that had numerous displays on the history of Ireland, the emigration to countries all around the world and the effect that Ireland had on science and culture.

It was a very eye opening trip. We did not realize the long history of turmoil that Ireland had due to the colonization by England. The Catholics were persecuted for hundreds of years and the famines of the 1800s was due to the heavy taxes by England on all goods except for potatoes which, when those crops failed, resulted in starvation and mass emigration. As a result, Ireland's population decreased by 35%. There are a lot of parallels between Ireland and USA in that we also pursued independence from England and we had our persecution of blacks in lieu of religious persecution. Fortunately, the violence in USA was not as long lasting and devastating as in Ireland.

However, the eyeopening education of the Troubles was overshadowed by the three nights we spent at Ashford Castle celebrating our 50th anniversary. We had a fantastic time looking back on all those years and experiences we have had together.

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Photos

A VISITOR OF DUBLIN
Irish heritage

AN AFTERNOON AT ODONOGHUES
Having a pint and listening to some Irish music

IRISH SHEEP FARM
Really impressed by the dog

IVEAGH GARDENS
One of tje many gardens in Dublin

ONE LAST PINT OF GUINNESS
In the lounge at Dublin Airport

Comments

[Frank munsey]

Thanks for sharing!

[Frank and Leona]

Thanks
Beautiful country and sad history!

[Wayne King]

picturesque contry