Chillin in the Country

Yesterday we ent to Kilmanham Jail. It was built in the last 1700s and closed in the 1920s. The jail was very interesting and had a unique presence while we were there. It was really cold and damp and in a was kind of eerie. The jail was used to hold many of the leaders for Irish independence in the early 1900s. We got to see the hanging room, the Victorian Wing (which was amazing and spooky at the same time. In a way it reminded me of a giant birdcage), we saw the stone yard where the prisioners worked, and where the main 14 leaders of the IRA were executed. That part of the trip was very somber for me. There was a light rain while we were at the jail which added to the mood of the whole compound. In the museum part of the jail there was a section called ''Last Words'' which had the last words written down by the 14 leaders of the IRA.

After that we went to the Guinness Storehouse and went on a tour. The tour was self guided and ended up in the 'Gravity Bar' on the 7th floor of the building where you got a free pint of Guinness. mmm-mmm, it was good! Later that night we went on a literary pub craw to three different pubs that were famous for being mentioned in famous Irish works or where famous Irish authors spent their time. It was really fun. The two leaders acted out different parts from different works outside of the pubs. They were really good at what they did.

Today we went to Glendalough out in the country. The scenery there was breath taking. Glendalough is an ancient monastic city by two lakes in a beautiful valley. We went on a tour of the small city then had 45 minutes to walk around the trails. I took so many pictures of the lake and scenery. After that we went on a tour of the country side on our way back to Dublin. We stopped at this one spot at the top of a very very steep cliff that looked out over a lake which was surrounded by mountains. We were very high up. I walked as close to the edge as I could with out slipping to get some nice pics. Some of the girls on the trip really did not like that some of us guys were getting so close to the edge. After looking at the pictures, I think it was worth hearing them yell out that we were going to slip and fall down the side of the mountain.

Tomorrow we leave for Cork and are making a stop at Waterford to look around and rest. Waterford is famous for their crystal. I am glad to say that right now there is no cyber pervert in the cafe trying to meet women, which in a way I am glad for and also wish he was here so I could hear some interesting conversation.