Wednesday, August 5, 2026: Wee Land in Ireland

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Rob says, “It’s time to go.” When we married 41 years ago, he promised me the world. Now I know what he meant.

In preparation for a trip to Ireland, we have been watching movies and documentaries about Easter Rising, The Troubles, the potato famine, etc. I even read the book Trinity by Leon Uris.

Ready or Not, Here We Go

Rob took a sleeping aid on the transatlantic flight. I think that it worked too well. It was time to wake up for breakfast.

Rob fell asleep while talking to me and while eating breakfast. Then when he went back to sleep after breakfast, he was out like light. He missed the plane’s rough landing and everyone on our large airplane had already left. I finally punched him awake.

First Impression

We caught a city bus to our hotel. The friendly Irish talk fast. The biggest notable was that it was cold and windy. I put on my winter coat. I don’t think that I have ever worn a jacket let alone a winter ski jacket on August 5.

The Irish drive on the left side whereas we drive on the right (or dare I say correct) side of the road. We have to adjust which way to look for incoming traffic when we are crossing the road. To extrapolate further, we try to walk on the left side of the sidewalk here. However, this is not observed. It is a free-for-all since there are a LOT of tourists who don’t know any better.

We are trying to break through our jet lag and determined to stay awake so we head out to see some nearby sites.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Founded in 1191, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest church in Ireland. This national cathedral of Ireland features stunning Gothic architecture and holds deep history. Writer Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels once served as dean. By the way, the fourth chapter in Gulliver’s Travels formed the basis for The Planet of the Apes. The book was written 300 years ago.

An Irish Tale

In 1492 two feuding families, the Butlers of Ormonde and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, were engaged in battle. Sensing an impending defeat, the Butlers fled the battlefield and took sanctuary in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Fitzgeralds followed in pursuit, but instead of fighting they proposed a truce. Calling to the Butlers through the door, Gerald Fitzgerald, head of the family, guaranteed them safe passage from Dublin. However, the Butlers refused this offer, believing it to be a trap.

To prove his sincerity, Gerald Fitzgerald ordered that a hole be cut in the door. He thrust his arm through it, offering it in peace. Convinced, the Butlers shook his hand. Today, the story lives on in the famous expression, ‘to chance your arm’ which means ‘to take a risk’. We are told that this expression can be heard every day.

The military hall displays flags that were carried in conflicts where the Irish participated.

Robert Boyle

As a child(?), in St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Christ Church

This motiff on the ancient floor is duplicated on the backs of the modern chairs.

The heart in Christ Church Cathedral belongs to Saint Laurence O’Toole, the patron saint of Dublin. I thought that only Catholics revered relics.

Strongbow was an Anglo-Norman nobleman notable for his leading role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland that ushered in 700 years of British rule of Ireland.

Handel’s Messiah

Nearby is Dublin’s oldest street, Fishamble Street. The world premiere of George Frederic Handel’s ‘Messiah’, one of the greatest choral works of all time, took place here in April, 1742. The cathedral choirs of St Patrick’s and Christ Church performed, while the composer himself played the organ. Some 700 people crowded the Musick Hall, whose archway can still be seen. Advertisements requested that ladies wear dresses without hoops to insure there was enough room in the hall.