Maidin mhaith
My favorite photograph of the Saint Patrick steeple.
By the 19th century, the Cathedral was on the verge of collapse following years of neglect. In 1845, Dean Henry Pakenham attempted to raise funds to restore the Cathedral. However, his attempts coincided with one of Ireland's greatest tragedies, the Famine, which made fundraising impossible. Finally, in 1860, a solution presented itself. At his own expense, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness restored the Cathedral. Under his direction, the walls were strengthened, new stained-glass windows were added, and some internal partitions were removed, a style which Guinness felt was more in keeping with worship at the time. Sir Guinness had a keen amateur interest in architecture and funded the restoration of the Cathedral himself on the condition that he had full control of the architectural decisions made during the project.
The cathedral was built around 800 years ago at a time of great change in Ireland. A new wave of settlers, called the Anglo-Normans, established themselves as the new ruling elite. They were excellent stonemasons and developed Saint Patrick's Church into an impressive Gothic-style cathedral. Construction began in 1220, and the Cathedral was consecrated on Saint Patrick's Day in 1254.
Saint Patrick, originally Welsh, came to Ireland as a slave. He became deeply religious during his captivity and managed to escape and return home. After training as a priest, he returned to Ireland to spread Christianity among the pagan Irish.
The phrase "to chance your arm" is often used to describe someone taking a risk. Yet many people do not know the role this medieval door played in its origin. In 1492, two feuding families, the Butlers of Ormonde and the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, fought. Fearing defeat, the Butlers fled the battlefield and took sanctuary in the Cathedral's Chapter House. The Fitzgeralds followed in pursuit, but instead of fighting, proposed a truce. Calling to the Butlers through the Chapter House door, Gerald Fitzgerald, head of the family, guaranteed them safe passage from Dublin. However, the Butlers refused, believing it to be a trap. To prove his sincerity, Gerald Fitzgerald ordered 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.
What fascinated me about this photo were the helmets above each seat.
So many beautiful stained glass windows.
I went to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, or the IMMA, and had lunch. I had this scrumptious bowl of potato and leek soup. It came with four crumpets. Delicious.
I will be the first to tell you that I do not always get modern art. For instance, this piece is called “Woodpile.” Just doesn’t look that hard. I would have called it sticks. Maybe that is the difference.
Here is another. "Geo-Political Cheese & Onion Crisps” that looks like I emptied my backpack.
Okay, I sorta liked this one that was etched on tin.
I definitely liked these two fiber arts pieces.
Liberty on the Barricades reminded me of Les Misérables and the French Revolution.
And I will go out on a limb, even though this is kinda weird, I kinda liked it.
And of course, I had to find the start of the official start of the Irish Camino de Santiago. Unfortunately, the church was closed to visitors. Only the Camino office was open.
For dinner, I decided to go old school and eat at Darkey Kelly’s Bar. It was dark and crowded, and the later it got, the louder it got. I only stayed until about 8:30. What a party girl I am!
I ordered Guinness Beef Stew. It was good, rich, and filling. Wasn’t like I could order French food here.
We had a lively Irish Folk Singer, and the crowd was really getting into it. He sang Molly Malone.
So Tomorrow, I hit the trails again.
Good Night and God Bless
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