Day 17, Sep. 19- Super 9 Hotel, Griswold, IA, Cass co

From sheer excitement of going home, we were up earlier than usual that last morning. I think that I was ready to leave around 7:30 am. :)

Our taxi arrived a little before 9 am. We had ordered a van so that we could fit all our luggage in.

That drive to the airport was so scary! The taxi driver drove, whipping in and out of lanes, and weaving through the traffic. We made it safely to the airport, but with slightly frazzled nerves. :)

When we went to check our bags in, the attendant couldn't find our flight number from Chicago to Omaha. Yikes! They finally got it worked out; we just had to get our boarding passes in Chicago. At least we weren't going to be stranded!

Dublin Airport

Once our bags were checked in, we headed over to security, got through that, then went to get our tax returns figured out. That was interesting. :)

Waiting...

Aer Lingus

Our flight didn't leave till 12:50 pm. Since it was only about 10, we went shopping at a "last minute gift shop." Interestingly, the gift shop had to put any purchases into a sealed bag. You can't open it until you've been through the last security check point. Yes, we had to go through another check point. We had to take everything off again (not literally:) and put it through the scanner. Everything went smoothly, thankfully. 

Bored Silly

The return flight took 8 hours, 2 hours longer than the first flight.

Supper Time

Around 3 pm Irish time, the flight attendants served us supper. This time, I had a roll, a salad, fruit, and chicken, rice, and veggies. It was OK, but, it "fills the hole" as Aunt Carol says.  

Reading

Tea Time

Awhile after supper, they served us tea. They passed out packets of raisin scones with butter and strawberry jam. We also had a choice of tea or coffee. Of course, the four of us in our row chose tea. There's nothing like good, strong Irish tea!

There was quite a bit of turbulence on this flight, I think because there was a 60 mph head wind. A 13 year old boy named Brandon sat with Abi, TJ. and I. He reminded me slightly of KK. Anyway, we all had a lot of fun together during the turbulence. There were some major tummy tickles!

Chicago O'Hare

The flight and landing in Chicago was very rough. We got through safe, though!

Exhausted

When we arrived in Chicago, we had to check out of security, get another boarding pass, then check back into security, all that during a horrible 5 hour layover. For lunch, we went to McDonalds. We were very hungry and thirsty after that long flight!

By the time our little commuter jet left for Omaha, we were all getting exceptionally tired. It was 8 pm CST, but 2 am in Ireland. Remember, they're 6 hours ahead of us. Being awake for over 24 hours isn't very good for ones health... Most of us just tried to sleep on that last leg. The stewardesses didn't even serve drinks and snacks during the flight because there was so much turbulence. That was fine with me! All I wanted was 40 winks and to get off that plane and see my family!

The landing in Omaha was pretty rough too, but what a relief it was when the wheels touched the ground and we walked out into our quiet Eppley airport around 11 pm!

Oh, it was so sweet to come around the corner, and there was a whole crowd of family! Of course there were our families, but Uncle Bernie and Hope, Uncle Mike, Gabby, Savannah and her boyfriend and Michaela. Wow! What a crowd!

I was so tired that I wasn't really thinking or walking straight. Even though I wanted to stay awake on the ride home, I just couldn't. Even if I'd tried, I don't think I would've been able to stay awake.

Someone said once that the best part of a vacation is coming home. I'd have to heartily agree!

Day 16, Sep. 18- Mespil Hotel, Dublin, Dublin co.

Our last full day in Ireland... *sigh*

The last historic place that we had planned to visit was Kilmainham Gaol (pronounced "jail"). Kilmainham held many famous Irish rebells from Ireland's numerous rebellions. It was a very sobering place to end our trip to Ireland on.

Five Snakes in Chains

Kilmainham Gaol was founded in 1796. It quickly became a brutal place to be imprisoned in. There was no segregation between men, women and children, the women being treated much worse than the men. It was repoted in 1809 that the men were given iron bedsteads to sleep on while the women slept on the filthy floors in the cells and halls. Half a century later there was little improvement.

Display

Gaol of Doom

Our tour guide was very good at what he did. He was very informative and knew his history well.

Prison Chapel

Joseph Plunkett was arrested during the Easter Rising of 1916. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death by firing squad in Kilmainham. Just a short 3 hours before he was executed, he married his sweetheart, Grace Gifford in this chapel. After the marriage, they parted ways, he, to return to his cell and death, and she to her home.

Spy hole

It is said that the youngest prisoner was a boy of 5 who was accused of stealing a piece of chain.

Simon Weafer

I wasn't able to find any information on this man...

Observation

Mullioned Window

Walkway

There are narrow walkways all along the hallways of the upper stories to make guard duty easier.

Moldering

Exporting changed the looks of this photo. Arg...

Crowd

Mom and I stayed toward the back of the crowd so that I could take pictures.

Hasp

Remains

Execution Room

This room was the "holding tank" for those waiting to be executed. As we were all crowded in there, it was sobering to think of all those men who spent their last few hours in this very room. All those souls, hurled into eternity.

Gloom

Anne Devlin is one amazing woman who's almost been forgotten. In 1803 when she was 25, Anne was hired as "housekeeper" for Robert Emmet. In reality, Emmet hired her to be his confidante and helper in the revolution that he was planning. Emmet entrusted the delivery of his messages to Anne, who organized the delivery of them to more than 50 insurgents all over Dublin. This put her in reach of all of those addresses.

After the rebellion failed, Anne was questioned by Dublin's Chief Police. She refused to talk, even after the police tried to bribe her with 500 pounds and government protection. The chief police begged Anne to inform on Emmet, seeing that he was caught already and sentenced to death. Emmet himself begged her to speak, but she resolutely refused. Dr Edward Trevor, who was known as the "Devil's partner", used every form of torture to try to get Anne to speak about Emmet and the other insurgents. After using physical and mental torture, she still refused to speak!

Anne was imprisoned for 3 long years. Most of her family was imprisoned alongside her in an effort to induce her to inform which resulted in the death of her 9 year old brother.

She was eventually released in 1806 and led a life of abject poverty, eventually dying from starvation and old age.

I gathered all this information from the memory of our tour and several different websites. I found a very moving article about Anne Devlin here. Please take the time to read about this amazing woman.

Victorian Wing

Or, commonly known as the "East Wing."

Iron Spiral

Prisoner

Four Stories

Abi :)

Mrs. Joseph Plunkett

Grace Gifford Plunkett was imprisoned in this cell from Feb.- May of 1923. She was arrested during the Irish Civil War along with many others.

Cobwebs

Invasion

Carndonagh Hotel

According to our guide, prisoners carved these names above their cell doors.

To Let!

Memorial Plaque

"Here, after Easter Week, 1916, the following leaders were executed..."

After our indoor tour, the guide took us out to the courtyard where executions took place.

Cruel British Reign

This picture has a sad story behind it. James Connolly was part of the Easter uprising of 1916. He was wounded in the fighting and carried to Dublin Castle, then transported to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, across the street from the gaol. Despite the doctor's pronouncement that Connolly had only about two days to live, the British decided to execute him. He was carried to the prison courtyard on a stretcher through that big door in the picture. Connolly was so weak that they didn't even take him to the other side of the courtyard where the other men were waiting to be executed. Instead, they had to bring a chair for him, but when he sat in the chair, he didn't have the strength to even sit up. So, the British tied him in the chair, then executed him by firing squad. The cross marks the place of his death.

Hanging

The front of the gaol is where the public hangings took place in Kilmainham's first years

Messy

Our messy hotel room...

Entrance

Dublin Life

We were wanting to go to the Irish National Archaeology Museum, but everybody decided that we were too tired to walk to it since we still had shopping to do on Grafton Street.

Irish Lace

Gram was searching for some Irish lace for my cousin Taylor, who wanted it for her wedding. We knew of one shop that sold lace, but they didn't have quite what we were looking for. The girl at the counter told us of another shop. So, we trucked off to find that one, but got lost on the way and had to ask directions (of a lady that was selling flowers and had such thick accent that we could barely understand her). Finally, we found the place a got a pretty length of lace.

The Loft Cafe'

 After we got the lace, we just went shopping, getting last minute gifts and souvenirs. We found this little hole in the wall grocery/restaurant around 2:30 or 3, where we got some lunch. You had to walk through the little store, then up a dingy, winding staircase to get to the restaurant. After lunch, Mom and I bought some candy for the folks back home from the store below.

Menu

They actually had really good food!

Paninis, Soup, You Name It!

Once we'd left The Loft, we wandered into an Irish gift shop (you know, Irish souvenirs made in China). I finally found Nate's gift there. It was a quaint little shop.

Gardas

Irish Sea

Gram wanted to go the Irish Sea to get a little bottle of sea water for the people back home and just to see it. She road a taxi there. Her cabman was so nice to her! He charged her a lot less than the other cabmen had been charging her for shorter distances. He even went down the the ocean to fill her bottle of water for her! That's what I call a gentleman!

While walking back to the hotel (it's about a mile from St. Stephen's Green to our hotel), I caught a glimpse of a bakery and cafe called Lolly and Cooks that had gluten free food. I had really wanted to see a bakery that actually made gf baked goods, so Mom and I stepped in to take a gander. They had gf cupcakes that looked just scrumptious, but I didn't get any. I look back now and wish I had!

After resting awhile at the hotel, we started packing and organizing our suitcases. As we were packing the candy, Mom and I realized we hadn't gotten enough, so we turned out to a little grocery store down the street away and around a corner.

Gram was back when we got back to the hotel. She was so blessed by her cab driver!

It was so funny, Aunt Carol and TJ. showed up at our room asking for directions to that store so that they could get more candy too. That was the "nuns" second appearance in that store. They came back with some Irish fudge that had been really cheap. If you've ever had Irish fudge, then you'll know why we had to go back and get some for ourselves. So, Mom and Aunt Carol went this time, making it the mysterious nuns' third appearance. The cashier must've wondered if the place was being overrun by nuns. :)

After all our traipsing around all day, we finally got settled in for our last night in Ireland.

Day 15- Sep. 17- Mespil Hotel, Dublin, Dublin co.

Only two more days in Ireland! I remember thinking with mixed feelings. I was excited to be going home, but knew that this was probably the last time I'd ever get to be there.

Our morning started off at a leisurely pace with a full continental breakfast. They had one counter devoted solely to a full Irish breakfast (i.e. eggs, rashers, bangers, beans, black and white pudding, fried tomatoes, and mushrooms) and another full of fruits, pastries, yogurt, bread, etc. Wow! 

A shuttle bus was stopping at the hotel around 9:40 am to pick people up to shuttle them to the closest Hop-on-Hop-off bus stop at St. Stephen's Green. We bought our tickets from the Irishman at the wheel. He was a real friendly guy with a nice thick accent too! Gram, Abi and I paid 16 euro for ours and Mom and Aunt Carol paid 18. Not bad for two days of riding around Dublin!

Lobby

The front desk and part of the hotel lobby. The dining area was over towards the left and behind away. The elevators and stairs were through those glass doors, center left.

Double Decker Tour Bus

We were so excited to get to sit on the top level of this bus! It was actually kinda scary... But, oh, such an experience!

Hello... Down There! 

Driving Around

It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours for the whole drive of 24 stops. We decided to ride all the way around, then decide where to go from there.

Whoa!

 Another Tour Bus

There were tour busses all over the place!

Blarney

Our bus driver gave a running commentary on historical facts and fiction of the people and places of Dublin. He had a lot of Blarney in him, though. :)

Wellington Testimonial

This obelisk was built in Pheonix Park to commemorate the victories of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The foundation was laid in 1817, but wasn't finished until 1861.

Áras an Uachtaráin

This is Michael D. Higgins, the president of Ireland's, abode. 

Crowd

Back in Dublin after swinging out to Pheonix Park where the president lives. Our first stop was Trinity College, but there were so many people there and the admission fee was 10 euro just to see the Book of Kels, the Library and the grounds. That was a bit too steep for us. So, we regrouped and decided to pass on that attraction. By that time, it had started to rain. We slouched out to our bus stop and boarded a bus, only to discover that the driver was transferring everyone to another bus! When we finally got on a bus, there was only room for two of us on the first level, so three of us had to the second level that was only partially covered. Of course, the covered side was full, so we had to sit on wet benches. Then it started to rain again. Burr. 

Christ Church Cathedral

Gothic Edifice

"... Knock, and it shall be opened unto you..."

Crypt

This sign got me very excited. I'm sure you've already guessed why. :)

Holy Hush

After paying a small admission fee, we entered the nave. 

Awestruck

I have never been so struck by a church's atmosphere before. Everyone unintentionally spoke in whispers, and laughing outright would have seemed crass.

Graceful

The Gothic architecture was just magnificent! 

Centuries old Tiled Floor

Self Explanatory :)

In the Baptistry

Intricate

Lofty Heights

The huge vaulted ceilings left one feeling very small and insignificant. 

Gleam

Looking Toward the Altar

Plaques

Winding Halls

Old World Beauty

Only for the Slender

Only small people could've fit through this tiny door!

Gospel

Intricate Iron Partition

Staggered

The magnificent beauty of this church left me utterly speechless.

Massive

As we were leaving, I was wondering where the crypt could be. Just as we were about to step out, I noticed an arrow pointing to somewhere at the far end of a hall. We went to investigate and discovered that it was pointing to the crypt!

Entering the Crypt

Descending rough stone steps, we came into the gloomy dark of the church's crypt.

Ornaments

This crypt wasn't the kind that has caskets just sitting in niches in the wall, but the kind with elaborate carvings on the outside, while behind it "Here lieth the body of..."

Victorian

I'm not sure what this display was supposed to represent. Sorry, guys, my memory and my journal failed you again. :-/

"The Cat and the Rat"

The one, presumably chasing the other, became trapped in an organ pipe in the 1850s and were mummified. They are referred to in James Joyce's "Finnigan's Wake" where someone is described as being "... As stuck as that cat to that mouse in that tube of that Christchurch organ..."

Stuck!

Moral: never chase rats in organ pipes.

Cafe'

There was a small cafe' and gift shop down in the crypt. Not sure who would want to eat a meal in a crypt, but, there are some weirdos out there who would. :)

Good bye, Christ Church Cathedral!

Christ Church Cathedral was so worth that cold ride in the rain. I've never been in a church that filled me with such reverence and awe as Christ Church did.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's was built beside a well that Patrick supposedly baptized his first converts in.

Reaching for the Heavens

Gray

We entered St. Patrick's and were immediately struck by the atmosphere of the place. A gift shop had been placed right in the back of the nave. People talked in normal tones and seemed to be having a grand time. The reverent hush that permeated Christ Church was sadly missing from St. Patrick's. 

Celtic Cross

This stone was supposedly found 6 feet below the surface of the traditional site of St. Patrick's Well.

Crepuscular

Waving Banners

Door of Reconciliation

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself... 2 Cor. 5:19

In 1492, two great Irish families, the Butlers of Ormond and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, were engaged in a bitter and bloody feud. Seeking sanctuary, Black James, nephew of the Earl of Ormond, and his men fled into the Chapter House. The Fitzgeralds followed in hot pursuit.

Their leader, Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, realized that the fighting was out of control. Through the closed door he pleaded with Black James to accept a truce. Suspecting treachery, Black James refused to let Fitzgerald inside. Fitzgerald hacked a hole in the door and thrust his arm through as a pledge of his good faith.

This daring gesture was enough. The door opened and the two warring factions received one another in peace. Some believe that this event is the origin of the expression "to chance your arm", meaning to take the initiative. The door has become known as the "Door of Reconciliation."

Chance Your Arm

Melody

This was all handwritten!

Dizzying Stairs

March of the Coat of Arms

Masonry

Sorry, I compress my pictures before putting them on here and it brings the looks and quality down quite a bit. Most of these pictures look much better in high resolution. If you see a picture that you would really like to see in its "true form," let me know and I can email it to you.

"Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me."

Altar

Royal Chair

This chair was graced by King William III when he came to St. Patrick's to give thanks to God for his victory over King James in battle.

Colorful Hues

Glimpse

Imposing

St. Patrick's Legacy

If you can, try to read this excerpt from Patrick's Confession. I was very blessed and challenged by all the different quotes and such that they had on display from him. He was such a godly, humble man! Yes, that's Mom and me in the reflection. :)

Roll- The Knights- The Most Illustrious Order- Saint Patrick

This was a long list of lords, earls and knights.

Shadowy Alcove

Proud

Rays of Light

Dignified

Stained Glass

Spire

Grandeur

Ha'penny Bridge

After a full day, we headed back to St. Stephen's Green. On the way, our bus passed the famous Ha'penny Bridge. In the old days, one had to pay half a penny to cross it. Hence, ha' penny.

Pedestrians

The bridge is free to use nowadays. I wish we could've walked across it, but there wasn't a bus stop near by.

Walking back

We had to walk back to our hotel once we made it to the Green. By that time we were so tired, having walked quite a distance already during the bus tour. Gram took a taxi back 'cause her leg was hurting really bad. I wanted to take a taxi too. :)

Burger King!

Everybody was very hungry, breakfast having been consumed around 8 am. By the time we got back to our hotel it was 3 pm. Mom and Aunt Carol went to get something for all of us to eat. Aunt Carol got Subway and we got BK. Everyone went to their own rooms to eat and rest. You should've seen the rate that we devoured that food! (BK had these really yummy breaded cheddar jalapeno bites that we've not been able to find in the States.) Once "the beast" was satisfied, the three of us sat around, talking and relaxing. We had a great time, but were glad to finally drop exhausted into a welcoming bed.