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St. Patrick's Center an Dublin
Entry 9 of 13 | show all | print this entry |
The dining room at the hotel is warm and gracious. Another too bounty full breakfast.
We're told it's time to board. Jim and I hurry outside to gaze at the fantastic stonework friezes near the top of the building there are 5 in the front and one on the left side. Then back inside to find someone to explain them to us. We're told the building was a tea warehouse and the carvings are of the countries the tea was exported or imported.
This hotel was built in 1867-1868 as two warehouses. Lytle's (on the left) and McCauslandd's (on the right) Lytle's friezes are of nut-crunching squirrels, plants and exotic birds. McCausland's are of human heads representing the five continents, America (native Indian), African, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The exterior could be deemed a historic site. In the middle of the discussion, we are forced to board that darn bus.
We're taking a quick "tour" of Belfast, not on foot, but on bus...what a bummer. This is such an interesting walking city. We stop in front of Belfast City Hall. No , we can't go in but there are some stores across the street (and the only public bathroom - on the right side of the street in the Marks & Spencer Department Store. The Visitor's Center is on the other side of the street so we run over there to grab all the brochures we can get our hands on. Then back to the bus loading area and a quick "jog" around part of City Hall. The renaissance stlen building is know as the "wedding cake." It's more than impressive. Completed in 1906, the central Dome, crowned with a lantern is 173 feet high, with domed towers at each end o f the four corners. Inside (we are told by Eowen, is a carved staircase lit by 7 stained glas windows portraying various scenes from Belfast's history. The best view of the city is from the dome (he tells that to us as we are pulling out...smart butt). We pass marble statues on the grounds. Eown points out the Titantic memorial and a memorial to the second world war American soldiers.
Eowen didn't take my bribe, so we miss a stop at the Grand Opera House, a restored Victorian masterpiece. On to the huge white former Parliament buildings of Northern Ireland, located on hilltop at the end of a one mile "avenue." We pass the stature of Lord Carson. Stormont is now home to the new Northern Ireland Assembly. To the side is Stormont Castle, Belfast Headquarters of the Secretary of State for N.I. aka the Prime Minister. This guy has one heck of a nice home!! Both buildings are closed to the public, but the extensive grounds (more like a park setting) are the sites of concerts and playgrounds. Not a fence or a guard in site. So different from our capital and White House setting.
Eown is explaining the colors of the Irish Flag. Green - Irish, Orange - "new people" William of Orange, White -Truce between the two. Then mentions that Belfast is compared with Glasgow and Liverpool with its red Victorian brick buildings. Driving time from Belfast to Down Patrick should be about 40 minutes.
I must have dozed for a few minutes, or we hit a time warp, cause we are pulling up to the St. Patrick's Center. Dr. Tim is here to greet us. The building is new, modern and impressive. Everyone is to line up for the film and then a tour of the interpretive center. Cinema is 7 rows of 25 seats. The 15 minute film is on a large screen. A helicopter flies us over sites relevant to St. Patrick's life. We "climb" Crough Patrick during the yearly pilgrimage, passing vendors selling water and rosaries at their tented stalls on the mountain, and weary hikers as we ascend to the top. A visit to a religious retreat lets us listen in on conversations also. Then to monasteries where St. Patrick lived. The scenery in the video is breathtaking.
Dr. Tim asks the group to proceed to the St. Patrick's Cathedrial, up a small hill, past the old town buildings and jail museum. We stop outside the church to view the grave (actually a large rock slab) of St. Patrick, then into the Cathedral. Beautiful stained glass arched windows, and boxed pew seats. Dr. Tim introduces the organist, who gives a brief history of the church then sits down and slowly positions her hands on the keys. She immediately has the attention of the group as the first notes resonate thru the air. The acoustics are almost perfect. It's a musical moment in time that we will not forget. Times: Mon - Sat 9:30am - 4:30pm, Sun 2:00pm - 4:30pm. Guided Tours available by prior arrangement cost £1 per person.
Down the hill thru the colorful multi terraced garden to the interperative exhibit. Dr Tim and asks me to accompany him into the kitchen. His chef has questions on the preparation of ice tea. Everyone is laughing. I am embarressed as all get out. It has to be a joke.
No, I am off with Dr. Tim to the kitchen. Maybe something so simple is complex? The ice is confusing the heck out of him. I've given the chef my phone numbers and email if he has any problems.
5 minutes later we are entering the exhibit. It is awesome. High tech meets St. Patrick. Lots of color. Hands on fun and learning. Games become instruction. "Stand on areas" to hear and participate. We could have played in here for at least an hour. Everyone is begging for some extra time, but the bus is ready. Darn. (March is the busiest time at the center) 2 levels of tours.
Dr. Tim will schedule performances for our groups. Suggests the terraced garden. We're all looking bummed. Northern Ireland has come as a surprise to most of us. We found some wonderful treasures here, and long lasting memories. The murmers are starting... "next trip back to Belfast and Armaugh we will..."
Two hours south of DownPatrick arrive Dublin
4 lane highway and construction and we are in Dublin. Two nights in Berkly Court Hotel is sounding wonderful to me. No packing up tomorrow!
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