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Published: February 9th 2024
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Sign outside the Pub
There are always places that promote being the “Oldest” It’s difficult to substantiate the claim!! Forgot to mention on the last Blog, after the Jameson Whiskey tour we had dinner at the Brazen Head, reputed to be the oldest pub in Dublin, established in 1198. It was a cavernous place so probably had a few expansions over the past 1100 years. Undoubtedly there were few parallels to the original other than a few guys sitting at the bar; although the patrons of 1198 would be surprised with their 2024 peer group who were mainly looking at their phones as opposed to chatting with each other. We ordered Irish stew which was good but cost $30.00CDN per bowl!! Couldn’t find the inflation rate from 1192-2024 so unable to calculate what the stew would cost when the pub first opened.
The third day in Dublin was warm and sunny which made the trip to Newgrange very pleasant. We rented the car for the 1 hour drive stopping first at Tara Hills. Both areas have ancient burial mounds, however, Newgrange has a large, elaborate interpretation facilities and offered guided tours. The stone construction of these burial mounds was estimated to be around 3000 BC which would be 500 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. The neolithic people that
Newgrange (Bru Na Boinne)
The stone front has been reconstructed in modern times, however, once inside, the structure is the original. There were bodies placed there and recent DNA testing traced the remains back to what is now modern day Turkey. built these structures certainly had the skill and intelligence equal to Egyptians, Inkas, Romans, etc.
The Irish people have endured much suffering over the centuries with invasion by the Vikings, Normans, British and other calamities such as the potato famine in 1845-49. The population around that time was appx. 8 million people as compared to slightly over 5 million today, so there was a lot of emigration, particularly during the famine years and the country has yet to recover to the same population levels. There are 2 museums in Dublin, The Kilmanham jail and General Post Office building that provide a good background on Irish independence and the violent political struggles that had taken place. Both had professional tours and lots of information. Our time at both gave us much better understanding of Irish history over the past 100 years.
Christ Church Cathedral is the 2nd large Protestant church in Dublin, surprisingly just a short distance from St. Patricks which we had visited earlier. Both were built in medieval times, however, St. Patricks was constructed outside of Dublin’s protective walls thereby exempt from taxation etc. The choirs from both churches combined to give the first performance of Handel’s
Kilmainham Gaol
Seven leaders of the 1916 uprising in Dublin were executed here. Their deaths turned the majority of the population against British rule leading to succession from Britain in 1922 and the forming of the Irish Free State. Messiah at the Dublin Great Music hall in 1742. The performance was attended by 700 people, far and away more than the hall’s capacity so the gentlemen had to take off their swords and ladies were asked not to wear hoops under their skirts in order to accommodate everyone. I guess that was a little different than Taylor Swift concerts today!!
Our last stop in Dublin was a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Although the self guided tour was informative and very professionally done, seeing the actual production would have been more fascinating. The facility is 7 levels, each covering a stage in processing the beer. It culminates at the top where you can enjoy a free pint with a panoramic view of Dublin.
We leave Dublin via Aer Lingus on our way to Malaga and hopefully some warmer, sunny weather.
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Luba Fraser
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Old Dublin town
Fascinating reading. Really enjoyed also reading your first post. You have seen so much more than a regular two week bus tour we had. Your photos were excellent. Thanks for the blogs. We are off on Friday back on March 6th so not sure if we'll be able to send comments. Looking forward to the next one.