We started the day by seeing the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from roughly 800 AD. The museum before you see the books is very informative; the book itself is unbelieveable. The Book of Kells was written by four scribes and three artists. It was written on calfskin and required roughly 850 calves to make. The artists and scribes emphasized the role of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as authors of the gospels often portraying them with a quill in hand. After viewing the book, you can walk through the old Trinity College library which has an original copy of the Proclamation of 1916 and the oldest Irish Harp. At the time we were there, a collection of old books about Napoleon was on display. Although unexpected, this was also very interesting and well put together.
Next we went to Dublin Castle to see the infamous Lady of Justice -- she has removed her blindfold and is admiring her sword. She is also facing into the castle instead of outwards, or as the saying goes, "There she stands, above her station, with her face to the palace and her arse to the nation." Until 1922, this was the seat of British rule in Ireland.
From Dublin Castle, went walked down to the River Liffey and saw the two famous pedestrian bridges, the Ha'penny Bridge and the Millineum Bridge. Then we caught a movie at the Irish Film Society before heading to the Guinness Storehouse. The tour of the Guinness Storehouse was decent although the best parts were probably the free Guinness and the views from the Gravity Bar on top of the museum. The museum itself is 7 stories and shaped like a pint of Guinness. Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on December 31st, 1759 at the rate of 45 pounds per year.
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| Great Irish Deer | Lady Justice | Ha'penny Bridge | Guinness Storehouse |
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| Guinness with Shamrock | Gravity Bar | Gravity Bar | Matt at Gravity Bar |