You'd think that after some pretty packed days of running about Ireland that our professors would give us a break when we were back in Dublin, right? Not these guys...
Our bio teacher had us help out a local group (OWLS) as a service project to remove nasty invasive species. Therefore, our Monday morning was spent hacking away at dogwood trees until the early afternoon, but it was all worth it because we received wood pendants with Irish animals stamped on them (I chose a Peregrine Falcon). We effectively helped the group in clearing large amounts of pestering plants and I even played fetch with the dog of the OWLS leader, a fact I was very happy about!
We were then told that it was our responsibility to take a tour of the Kilmainham jail because it was used in the film "In The Name of the Father" with Daniel Day-Lewis. I groaned and griped about it since we already had to study for two exams, but was glad that they asked us to visit. It was really neat to stand in the room where the film was made, and had a vastly different atmosphere than that of Long Kesh-the guide was happy to answer any questions without fear of bad things happening...
The Book of Kells, an excellently-preserved volume, is held at Trinity College, and we were glad to take the tour because we had missed the opportunity in Dublin I. I loved learning about the making of the book as well as other small books that had been preserved from Viking raids way back when, and the Book of Kells (which has a page turned everyday) was great to see as well. It was unfortunate that some tourists decided to spend a ridiculous amount of time in front of it, barring the eyesight of others, so with a quick glance, I then headed up to the Long Library. The gorgeous room could only be described as the library Belle receives in Beauty and the Beast. Stocked with old tomes and encyclopedias and lined with busts of famous scientists, this place was heaven in a room. I snapped a few pics of the room as a whole, some busts, and the oldest harp in Ireland before heading out with my friends to complete some long-awaited souvenir shopping.
I also put homework at a standstill, for something big was approaching: my weekend trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. Who knew that even after traveling across the ocean to come to Ireland that traveling to another Celtic country would be just as nerve-wracking and intensely exciting? Prepare the accents, for Bonnie Scotland awaits!
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