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Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham, South Hamilton, MA Dublin
Even in 140 A.D. Ptolemy
observed that Eblana was a place of note, Ptolemy refers to the River Liffey as
Oboka, meaning a delta. It was however not until 840 A.D. that Norse sea
rovers landed here and built a base for their maritime expeditions that the area
really began to develop as a town. The history of the area is really tied
to the history of Ireland, never really settled, just like the name, the Irish
called it Duibhlinn, the Norse called it Dyfflin, and the Anglo Normans Dublinne
from which the present name derives. A city steeped in history, it as fine
wide streets, squares and parks with wonderful examples of Georgian
architecture. Visit
Trinity
College to see the famous book of Kells and if
time allows while at St Patrick`s Cathedral visit Marsh`s library. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Dublin’s oldest
building dating back to 1172. Built by the Norman Richard De Clare (better
known as Strongbow). However most of the building you see now is very
Victorian after a restoration in the 1870s. The Medieval crypt is original
and runs the entire length of the Cathedral. Some architectural features
and stone carvings exist from the 12th also some 13th
Century tiles. The Choir School was founded in 1480 and is famous for
taking part in the world’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah. St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Dedicated in
1192, the Cathedral was originally built by the Norman, Archbishop Comyn.
This early Norman church was rebuilt in the first half of the 13th Century, the
building we see today. Many interesting aspects to see, including the
Medieval Chapter House door with an hole in it dating from 1492. It gives
rise to the English phrase "chancing your arm".
The Earl of Kildare cut the hole and through it stretched out his arm to grasp
the hand of his enemy the Earl of Ormond. By taking the initiative peace
was restored between them and ever since the door as been known as the door of
reconciliation.
Handels Messiah received its first performance in
Dublin in 1742 sung by the combined choirs of St Patrick`s & Christ Church
Cathedral`s. National Museum of Ireland
Opened in Kildare Street
1890, the museum contains many artefacts dating from 700bc. The
archaeological collections consist of the treasury, featuring outstanding
examples of Celtic and Medieval art. The famous Ardagh Chalice and the
Tara brooch dating from the 8th Century, the 12th Century Cross of Cong, said to
contain a fragment of the true cross, the Derrynaflan Hoard, a collection of 8th
and 9th Century silver objects found in Co Tipperary during 1980. Look
carefully at the Tara Brooch, see the intricate Filigee work on the front and
back. When you view the book of Kells this afternoon do consider it is
from these patterns that it is thought the manuscript illuminations are derived.
Irelands gold,
features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe. Trim Village
& Castle
Plenty to see in
this little village on the banks of the River Boyne. The Castle used as a
location for the Mel Gibson film Braveheart. The first castle on the site
was a simple Mott & Bailey type in 1173 but this was replaced in the 1190s and
eventually grew into the finest and largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland.
King John did stay at Trim in 1210 and Richard II incarcerated his ward Prince
Henry of Lancaster (later Henry IV) here for some time. The curtain wall
of 488 yards encloses a area of approx 3 acres. There are 10 D shaped
towers and a square keep of over 70ft in height and walls that are over 11 feet
thick. Much in ruin now but the look and feel is very much of a typical
English Medieval Castle. Town of Kells
A
place of history, the original Monastery was founded by St Columba in the Sixth
Century and from the early Ninth Century it was probably the leading Columban
Monastery in Ireland. The Monks from the original foundation on Iona fled
here after repeated raids by the Vikings on their Scottish home. It is
thought they actually made the book of Kells on Iona and bought it
with them when they moved here. By the 12th Century continued
raids by Vikings and then Normans eventually made up the minds of the Monks to
move again and they left Kells and made their way to Derry where they set up a
new headquarters. Eventually by the time of the dissolution very little
remained at Kells. But do look round the village and church yard, many
Monastic antiquities remain including some very special crosses dating back
hundreds of years. Trinity
College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st. It played a major role in the
development of an Anglo-Irish tradition. Many families sending their sons
to be educated here rather than in England. Until recently it had a strong
Protestant bias. When it was founded it offered Catholics free education
if they would change their religion. In fact right up to 1966, Catholics
had to get a special dispensation to study at Trinity or risk excommunication. Book of Kells
The
library houses one of Irelands real treasures, an illuminated manuscript called
the book of Kells. Illuminated manuscripts are derived from the Celtic
ecclesiastical tradition of Saint Columba. whose teachings spread not only
through Ireland but Scotland and Northern England, together with areas of
mainland Europe. No one is quite sure if the book was copied and
illuminated in Ireland, it may have been completed in Scotland on the Isle of
Iona or even in England at Lindisfarne. What we do know for sure is that
the book was taken to the monastery of Kells in Co Meath for safe keeping during
the Viking raids of the 9th Century. After this unsettled
period in Irish history the book spent some time buried underground, lost some
30 of its page and was not bought to Dublin till sometime in the 17th
century. The book now consists of some 680 pages written in Latin and
follows the four gospels of the new testament. It was rebound into four
separate volumes in 1950 and one now has the chance to see at least two volumes
on show at any one time. one showing an illuminated page and another a page of
text. Guinness Storehouse
The storehouse was
a Guinness fermentation tank from 1904 to 1988, it is now a 7 storey visitor
centre, located in the heart of the world famous St James Gate Brewery. If
full this tank would hold 14,300,000 pints of the black stuff. Cashel
Originally the Fort of
Munster and once capital of the southern province. The town is completely
dominated by the very famous Rock of Cashel which rearing up from the plain
dominated the land routes to the south. Kings of Ireland came to this spot
together with St Patrick who preached here. On this limestone outcrop
stands the most beautiful and complete Romanesque church in the country. a
medieval Cathedral, a castle tower house, a round tower and a 15th century hall
of vicars, all of the finest medieval Irish architecture. The Hall of
Vicars was built in the 15th century to cater for eight vicars who assisted in
the cathedral services. The Cormacs chapel was built circa 1127, a
superb Romanesque church, the architecture as clear continental influences.
The Cathedral built circa-1227 Anglo Norman in conception, it has Gothic
arches but without doubt it is a purely Irish built unit. The central
tower is excitingly grand but did not appear till the early 14th century.
The Round Tower is without doubt the earliest building on the rock probably
dating back to the 12th century although locals suggest even earlier circa
10th century Castleisland
Set in
the province of Munster, in CO Kerry this small but very busy market town has a
population of approx 2,000 people and is renown for the width of its main
street. Once described as “not so much a town as a street between two
fields” The town got its name from “Castle of the Island of Kerry” from a
local Castle built in 1226(no longer remaining) The island was created by
diverting the River Maine
into a moat surrounding the castle. In Medieval times this area was the
chief domain of the Desmond family. Ring of Kerry
To
obtain a really panoramic view of
Kerry's
most outstanding scenery, this tour is a must!
Extending
for 112 miles and usually done in an anti clockwise direction, it follows the
coastline of the Iveragh
Peninsula,
along the banks of the
River
Laune
to Killorglin,
via Glenbeigh,
along the southern shores of
Dingle
Bay
to Kells
and Caherciveen
where Valentia
Island
comes into view. The
tour continues to Waterville
and along the coast via
Coomakista
pass and Derrynane
and onto Sneem.
From
Sneem
to Kenmare
and up the mountain road to
Moll`s
gap, then ladies view and back to
Killarney.
Sneem
Situated in a beautiful location on the estuary of the Arsheelaun River, Sneem
is a past winner of the Irish National tidy Towns competition. A colourful
village and last resting place of Cearbhall 0`Dalaigh a former President who his
buried in the local Churchyard
Cahersiveen
The capital
town of the peninsula situated at the head of Valentia harbour on the Fertha
river, the town is the main shopping area for this end of the ring. In
1867 the great Fenian conspiracy led to an abortive rising here against the
British. It was planned to occupy the barracks and then the cable station
in Valentia and from there inform a startled world that the Irish Republic had
been proclaimed in Cathersiveen, but circumstances proved adverse.
Valentia
The Island is approx 11kms long by 3kms wide and is one of the most Westerly
points of Europe. The surface is rugged and rocky but does provide good
sea angling. The first telegraph cable (now superseded) across the
Atlantic from U.S.A. came ashore here in 1858.
Waterville
The town nestles between Lough Currane and the Atlantic and is a world famous
game fishing resort. Fine scenery and many good beaches in the area.
Well loved by artists, archaeologists, botanists in fact everyone. Also
claims a world renown 18 hole golf course.
Catherdaniel
This whole
area contains evidence of occupation dating back 6,000/7,000 years. From Beaker
folk coming from Spain to mine copper in 2,000 B.C. right back to Prehistoric
graves from Neolithic times 4,000 B.C. invaders landed several times including
the first military invaders from Greece on the 14th May 2680 B.C. Killarney
Renown for its beauty,
famed for the splendour of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world`s best
loved tourist spots. It became a significant town about 1750 when the
local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four main roads
were built to the outside world. The present population is approx 9,000
and the main economic base is tourism. The great assets of Killarney are
the lakes, mountains and woods, although scattered and difficult to get around
they are so very beautiful. Situated in the South Western corner of
Ireland with its three great lakes reflecting the ever changing skies, it has
been an inspiration for poets, writers and painters for centuries.
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