Sunday June 16th

     This morning (Sunday the 16th), Tim and his lovely wife picked us up for a long ride in Dublin. We stopped at a Tesco convenience store to pick up some snacks before we hit the border so we could use our pounds sterling before having to switch to euros. As always, "Tayto" chips, sweeties, and fizzy drinks were on the menu.

     We began the day with a tour of Dublin. It was about a three hour ride down into the Republic of Ireland through more beautiful fields and mountains. Luckily, this time, I had my travel sickness medication on hand! Dublin is a beautiful and lively city, full of life and excitement. The group was decked out in our Friends of St. Patrick polos and looked quite dapper. The weather was a bit sunnier than it has been over the first few days. We passed through a town called Kilcoo, which means "church of sorrows" and was said to have been a stopping place on St. Patrick's funeral procession. President Barack Obama and other world leaders are actually in Northern Ireland and tomorrow will be in the Waterfront Concert Hall in Belfast. So, as you can imagine, thee are more police forces on patrol and travel is a bit restricted. We toured streets of Georgian houses, saw the Garden of Remembrance where the Queen set a wreath to commemorate brave soldiers. We found ourselves lost down some mainly pedestrian back streets before hitting O'Connell, past the GPO Grand Post Office, the scene of the 1916 rising, its pillars still marked by bulletholes. According to Mrs. Campbell, the O'Connell bridge is one of the few bridges in the world which is wider than it is long. Dublin means "The Black Pool". We passed by Temple Bar, a area with a lot of pubs and clubs and nightlife. There is a munucipal office built atop Wood Quay, a place found to be an original Viking settlement.

Today was actually Blooms day, so there were a lot of people out and about in costume.

     We also passed the Olympia Theatre, an original live Theatre and crossed the Halfpenny Bridge, home to the "Love Locks"

 We stopped for a bite to eat at Temple Bar for lunch and then went to Trinity College. At Trinity College, we were able to see the book of Kells exhibit as well as the gorgeous library (The Long Room).

 There were displays of the writing, art, and binding processes as well as those unnamed scribes that worked on them. The book of Kells was amazing to see in person! Sadly, you cannot take photos in the exhibit.

     We have a beautiful copy on display at the McClelland Irish Library at the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center. We then explored some of the grounds and gardens around Dublin Castle. Rya and I were frustratingly refused entrance to an evening service at Saint Patrick's Cathedral and had to pay to enter afterwards. This really disappointed me; I had really wanted to hear the choir sing, and the organ play as well as the service.

Rya and I then took a beautiful walk in St. Stephen's Park. We found a sweet family of swans, with a mum, dad, and eight little grey babies. We took far too many photos there and then walked about town.

     I made friends with a pretty carriage horse and had a "brilliant" hot chocolate at the coffee shop Insomnia.

      We took a stroll around a nearby mall, of course perusing the gift stores for family and friend presents. The biggest highlight of the day, though, was our evening at Carloline's Aunt Yvonne's home. We met our gracious hostess Yvonne, her son Owen, and his lovely girlfriend at their gorgeous home in a historical quarter of Dublin. She set out a mouth-watering spread of delicious homemade foods. I was able to meet their family friend Ethan McSweeny, who works in Theatre in Ireland and America. We then journeyed the long drive home, exhausted from such a fantastic day.

     I have been trying to catch up with my blog as best I can and will continue to do so. My apologies that the posts are not quite in order! I will have to figure out how to edit them and put them in their place! I'd also like to take this time to wish my dad, Arthur Kelleher, a happy Father's Day! I miss you and I can't wait to celebrate a late Father's Day with you! I also got you some fun gifts! :)

I hope everyone's day goes remarkably well! Bye for now!
Much love,
Your frozen Arizonan, Kelsey