Today I decided to stay in the city and explore it a bit more. Since I've mainly stayed near the City Center, I decided to go to the north side of the River Liffey and explore.
Immediately crossing the bridge I came across a memorial to The Famine. I wish that I could post the pictures of it right now. It is very powerful. There are about six statues done in a sort of rusty clay technique, showing the victims of The Famine. Nearly one million Irish died during The Famine and a good number more emigrated to the States.
The expressions on the statues faces gave me a sense of the grief and sorrow many of the victims of The Famine must have suffered.
I then walked westward and got a picture of the Abbey Theatre, just because I thought that I should have one.
I continued westward and eventually ended up at the Nation Museum for Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barracks. I'm not sure how much time I spent in there, but it was a good chunk of the afternoon. The curator's choice exhibit was my favorite I think. It had different examples of art from across Ireland's history.
Collins Barracks is named after Micheal Collins, the early leader of the IRA. On the ground floor they have his uniform, gun and sword displayed in a case with a very brief synopsis of his life. In 2006 they'll be displaying the military history in Ireland. Kind of makes me want to come back and see, especially considering that most of the museums in Dublin are free!
After a small lunch I continued westward toward Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Ireland and maybe Europe, but I'm not sure. The People's Garden is just off the south gate entrance. Being a lovely day, many families were there, playing, feeding the ducks, etc. The garden wasn't as impressive as Powerscourt, but it definitely looked much more manageable!
It was kind of strange, knowing I was in the middle of the city, but for all intents and purposes, I could have been in the country, especially when I reached the FIFTEEN ACRE expanse in the middle. And lets just say, for those who know me really well, um, well my sense of direction is not what one would call keen, especially once the clouds blew in, obscuring the sun.
I somehow managed to find the house of the American Ambassador, and the very nice gentlemen at the gate directed me back to the south gate entrance. Yeah, tough gig that. If I'm ever appointed ambassador to a country, I think that I'd choose Ireland, just for where the residence is!!
They must have been gearing up for a Fourth of July party because there sure was some loud music coming from the grounds! And to answer some questions, no, we don't get the fourth off. To some of the kids in the group, this might be a little difficult, but I've worked and missed more than my share.
We're going to a Hurling match Sunday. Still not quite sure what it is, but I saw some people playing (what I assume is) it in Phoenix Park. From what I could gather, it's some kind of combination of hockey, baseball, and something else. We'll see!
Ciao.