Things to see in Dublin - Trinity Church, Dublin Castle, and The Book of Kells - I booked, but wound up canceling a guided tour - Maybe I should have kept it. But the timing of it was questionable to me - as certain things (changing flight schedules, and shuttle buses, rental car pickup delays) were certainly beyond our control and making me wonder if we'd make it. Turns out we likely would have been fine, but it would have been tight. And then last minute tickets to Book of Kells were all sold out. So we did Dublin Castle. Gives us something left to explore for next time, right?!
Building began on this castle in 1204 on orders of King John of England, after a Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169. Building completed in 1230, a typical Norman courtyard styled castle, with a central square without a keep (a large fortified tower within the walls), bounded on all sides by tall walls, and at each corner a circular tower.
The sole surviving tower from the original castle, dating 1228.
In Saint Patrick's Hall is the most significant painted ceiling in Ireland, by artist Vincenzo Valdre in 1790. The 3 panels depict the coronation of King George III, Saint Patrick introducing Christianity to Ireland, and King Henry II receiving the submission of the Irish chieftains.
In the throne room, previously called Battleaxe Hall, was converted to contain a throne for the visit of King George IV in 1821. On top of the throne, the unicorn was the symbol of Scotland, holding an Irish harp, as Ireland was still under British rule until the 1920s
The Lion represents England, again, holding the Irish harp, showing that Ireland was under British rule
The throne
The State Drawing room
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
The State Corridor. It has pictures of each Irish President, and a plaque briefly describing their political careers and accomplishments.
If you know about Irelands fight for independence, you've heard of James Connolly. He was executed for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule.
Short video clips of the State Room, the Throne Room and the Central Square of the Castle
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