23rd December, 2010

To All my Friends in DCU Merry Christmas and Very Happy New Year
Hope this snow goes very Soon Brid

snow

Hi everyone

Hope you are well in this awful weather. I never want to see snow again
We have a small supermarket near so I can get the paper and food stuff
See you all 11th Brid

Sat

Hi there all

Hope you all got home safely The M50 was fine and all ok until I turned into my estate I will be watching telly tonight with my feet up
Take care Breege

Sat 27th Nov

Made it here this morning which i feel very good about snow very bad in my area Ballymount
Hope it does not stay long Breege

History of Dublin

Dublin – Baile Atha Claith Population of over 1 million people

Dublin was founded by the Viking in 988 when their long ships sailed of the Liffey

Irish for Dublin Baile Atha Claith –Town of the ford of the hurdles referring to a bridge made of reeds which spanned over the Liffey.

GPO General Post Office

Designed by Francis Johnson and opened in 1818. It was the head-quarters of the Easter Raising in 1916 where Padraic Pearse read the Proclamation of Independence from its steps. In the subsequent siege the building was completely burned out, and indeed most of O’Connell Street was destroyed. The GPO was rebuilt in the 1920’s From this raising Ireland eventually gained its independence in 1922. GPO Easter raising members:- Padraic Pearse, James Connolly, Thomas J Clarke, Sean MacDiarmada, Joseph Plunkett, Eamonn Ceannt, Thomas MacDonagh Padraic Pearse surrendered to Brigador Lowe on Saturday 29^th April, 1916

We have two fine Cathedrals

St Patrick’s built on the site of a well used by St Patrick for early conversations in the 5^th century. The present building dates from late 1100 to early 1200 The stone Norman construction was rebuilt in the 13^th century Jonathan Swift was Dean of St Patrick he was born in 1667 and died in 1745 and is buried within this Cathedral it was many years after his death it was discovered that he had a brain tumour. St Patricks is outside the city walls.

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL

Medieval Cathedral founded in 1038 by the Viking King of Dublin and stood within the walls of the city. Since 1330 the great stone tower of this Cathedral has dominated old Dublin. The heart shaped metal case hangs in the chapel of St Laud it contains the heart of St Laurence O’Toole

Across the road is the Church of the Immaculate Conception Merchants Quay this Franciscan Church was built in 1829 its known as Adam & Eve’s Church well indentified by its green copper dome

Dublin Castle

Built nearly 800 years ago on the orders of King John of England His orders were to erect a strong fortress in Dublin with moats, thick walls and a tower it was to be as the King put it “suitable for the administration of Justice and if the need be for the defence of the city” The river Poddle which flows nearby was used to supply the Castle moats with water Today the Castle has been refurbished at a cost of approx 20million with a magnificent State apartments, Government buildings, Garda Museum Chester Beatty Library who open his death the collection of Oriental Art was given to the people of Ireland where he had made his home in 1950

Bank of Ireland

Built on the site of Cary’s hospital College Green the old Parliament house was begun in 1728. The Irish Parliament then comprised of 600 members The Parliament voted itself out of existence on 7^th June, 1800 and on 6^th June, 1808 the Bank of Ireland opened for business here

Central Bank Dame Street

Sam Stephenson Architect attracted a lot of criticism for its height and original roofline and brash appearance it opened in 1978

FOUR COURTS

James Gandon’s masterpiece with its grand dome visible from many vantage points throughout the city In 1922 at the outbreak of the Civil war the building was seized and barricaded by the Anti-Treaty forces during this fierce battle this splendid building was destroyed and many valuable records. It was completely restored in 1932

Smithfield

The site of the old Jameson Distillery best Whisky you can taste closed in 1972 and moved down to Cork

Phoenix Park

Here is Arus An Uachtarain home of the President of Ireland Mary McAleese

This original house was first built for the park ranger in the 18^th century

Phoenix Park is the biggest park in Dublin with 1760 acres. Pope John said Mass here in 1979 The Eucharistic Congress was held here in 1932

Guinness Site

Arthur Guinness bought this site in 1759 and made the best Guinness in the world here on the top floor you can enjoy a great pint and the sights of Dublin

Trinity College

Founded in 1592 during the resign of Elizabeth 1 The College remained completely Protestant until the start of the 19^th century But even when the College allowed Catholic’s in The Catholic Church forbid it. This restriction was not fully lifted until 1970.

Within this complex you can see the Book of Kells one of Ireland’s treasures. It has been in Trinity College about 300 years. One of a dozen or so remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic is on display here

St Stephen Green

Oldest of Dublin Squares it is a quarter of a mile each side. In 1877 Arthur Guinness put through an Act of Parliament to open the park to the public

Lakes, Fountains, Flowers and trees were laid-out at his expense

Dublin has many famous writers Sean O’Casey, Oscar Wilde, Yates, Shaw, Behan and James Joyce. James Joyce was born in Brighton Road Terenure Dublin in 1882 and died on 13^th January, 1941 in Zurich well known writer of Ulysses it was first banned in US and Great Brittan but not here

Freedom of City of Dublin

· The first person to receive the Freedom of Dublin City was Isaac Butt 1876 there are over 60 holders. Most recent Paul McGuiness & U2 ,Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Jack Charleton  Stephen Roche to name but a few. It is the highest award the City can offer and is conferred very rarely. There is no financial award, but a very unusual entitlements it offers is the right to graze a herd of sheep in St Stephens Green one Bono reminded the City Councillors when he won it

The best fed swans and ducks in Dublin Ballymount Park 1st Nov. '10

Nuala & Gerry on the recession

Nuala doesn't remember the recession.

Gerry doesn't mind the recession.