Ireland

This is a compilation of many views of Ireland. Malahide Castle is set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, the Castle was both a fortress and private home for nearly eight hundred years. The Talbot Family lived there from 1185 to 1973, when the last Lord Talbot died. Connemara offers quiet areas with extraordinary views. The maze of small open fields, and huge walls gives way to open, wild countryside with rolling hills and many lakes. Built around 1208 and 1220, Dublin Castle is the historic center of Dublin. Interior views include the State Apartments, once the residence of English viceroys and now the setting for government ceremonial functions, such as the inauguration of Ireland's presidents, state receptions, and meetings for the heads of the European Union. We actually ran into the Prime Minister of Ireland while visiting the castle but didn't manage to catch a snapshot! Christ Church Cathedral was first built (on the same site) c.1030. The present structures were built around 1163 and restored/rebuilt in 1871. The world premiere of Handel's Messiah was performed in Christ Church Cathedral in 1742. The crypts date from the late 12th and possibly the late 11th century. St. Patrick's Cathedral, is Dublin's oldest Christian site. The massive west tower dates from 1730 and houses the largest ringing peals of bells in Ireland (we heard them and they were really annoying after awhile). Trinity College stands out in the Dublin streetscape. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity is the oldest university in Ireland.

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