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Tuesday Travels

Today we went to see the Jeanie Johnston tall ship. It served as a famine ship during the height of the potato famine. We were able to experience first hand what it was like to leave your country on a cramped ship and head for opportunity. It was a solemn experience, but it was important to see how things were during one of the worst times in Irish history.
  
Jeanie Johnson ship

Real looking children aboard the Jeanie Johnson

Afterwards, we went to the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) that was conveniently across the road from the ship. The museum is set up in stages that are sorted by subject. The museum touched on everything from why the people left to how they have contributed to our world. This had a deep rooted message for most of our boys, as many have Irish heritage. This museum also taught us that no matter how bad something may get, good can come from it. It was a remarkable museum.


EPIC museum 
- Henry Hayes



After all that it was time to lunch. The weather became more drizzly and windy, and we got briefly lost on the way, but eventually we made it to Gallagher's Boxty House. Before we ate, a chef gave us a demonstration of making boxty, an Irish dish made from grated potato, flour, and mashed potatoes.  He went through the whole process in minutes and gave it to us as an appetizer first, filled with salmon and relish, which was followed by delicious lunch of chicken boxty or Irish stew.

Then it was time for our next big event; the Book of Kells exhibit. The Book is an Irish production of the four gospels that has very ornate and detailed imagery painted in its pages. The Trinity College exhibit described other similar ancient manuscripts, and there was a room that had them and the book available for all of us to see. The exhibit ended with the Trinity College Library, which was massively tall and long. Thousands of books were stored along the walls, and the area was breathtakingly enormous. 

Trinity College 
Book of Kells
Trinity College LIbrary

After a brief excursion through the gift shop, our group went to Grafton street to do some shopping around for about 45 minutes. Some familiar brands like Subway, Burger King, and McDonalds were present as well as a variety of unique stores. 

Despite the dreary weather and the long walks, today was a great experience as we saw more parts of Dublin and learned about Irish culture.

-Ryan Golemme

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