The Irish Experience 2011: Back to the 1800's

Dublin in the Night

We had a busy and exciting day in Dublin. We visited Trinity College Dublin and toured the beautiful grounds and had the chance go into Trinity College Library Dublin.

Trinity College Library Dublin is one of the world's great research libraries, holding the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. Since 1801 it has had the right to claim a free copy of all British and Irish publications under the relevant copyright acts and has a stock of nearly three million volumes housed in a total of eight buildings. There has been a library since Trinity College was founded by charter of Queen Elizabeth in 1592. The earliest surviving building, the Old Library, was built between 1712 and 1732 to the design of Thomas Burgh.

At the same time, we got to see the Treasury for the display of Irish medieval gospel manuscripts, principally the Book of Kells, the Book of Armagh and the Book of Durrow. We learned how the manuscripts were created and the minerals they used to bring such vibrant colours to their work. It was incredible.

Outside the Museum

Two of Our Wonderful English Teachers
Trinity College Dublin

For dinner we were treated to the lively and delicious Thunder Road Cafe in Temple Bar. To finish off an amazing day we went to see Translations by Brian Friel at the Abbey Theatre. The Abbey Theatre was founded in 1903 by W.B. Yeats and Lady August Gregory. Its precursors were the Irish Literary Theatre and Frank and Willie Fay's National Dramatic Society. With patronage from Miss Annie Horniman, premises were purchased on Old Abbey Street and on December 27th 1904, the Abbey Theatre opened its doors for the first time. (http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/)

Thunder Road Cafe!

So Hungry and Happy!

Translations is more than thirty years since it was first produced is now regarded as a modern masterpiece. Subtle and resonant, it's political drama, an historical tale, a funny and clever play about language and a tender love story.