Dublin, Ireland

Under mostly sunny weather today. We have been  lucky having 6 out of our 8 days without rain.


Our first stop was in the town of Avoca where we toured Ireland’s oldest weaving mill. The mill was originally set up as a co-operative in 1723. Here, local farmers could grind their corn, and spin and weave their wool for clothing for the local miners. Back then only uncoloured yarn was used in tweed for clothing and blankets for beds. It went through some ups and downs over the centuries and ended up being closed for extended periods but is now thriving. Both hand looms and mechanized looms are used today.

Hand loom

Mechanical loom

We then proceeded back to Dublin and were dropped off at Trinity College to have lunch and explore. Located in a beautiful campus in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, Trinity is Ireland’s highest ranked university founded in 1592.  It is home to 17,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across all the major disciplines. It is also the home of the “book of Kells”, the world’s oldest and perhaps most famous book. We wandered around, sat and watched the activities including the orientation for the undergrads who were being taken around by people in robes like days of old. We shopped at the bookstore as well. Outside the campus there are many downtown shops to explore. It is an extremely busy city with tourists and locals jamming the streets. To add to all the chaos there was a demonstration by taxi drivers on behalf of disabled children. 

Trinity College

Tonight we went out for some craic (Irish Fun) at Taylor’s Irish Cabaret. It involved dinner, Irish singers and dancers. Even a comedian. The program was very well done. This was the end of our enjoyable organized tour to Ireland.

Uilleann Pipes

Cast of show with audience volunteers

We will stay one more night in Dublin before flying to Bermuda via New York City.