Farewell to Ireland

Blessings and greetings from Ireland. Leaving tomorrow morning for Rome to continue my journey and Sabbatical. It has been a wonderful experience being here in Dublin and visiting the many sights of Ireland. This week I had an opportunity to visit Trinity College and to see the Book of Kells - Gospels illustrated by the monks in the 6th century. Visited Christ's Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral - Catholic churches before Henry VIII took over Ireland and became the Church of Ireland (Anglican). Vespers service were inspiring with "high church music". Yesterday visited Kilmainham Jail where many prisoners were held; some of them going on a 12,000 miles journey to Austalia. During the Easter uprising of the Irish people in 1916 against the British army, 14 of the leaders were captured and imprisoned at Kilmainham and executed by the British. These events united the Irish to gain their independence in 1922. Another fascinating historical site was New Grange; burial grounds of the farmers in 3200 BC; before Stonehenge and the building of the Pyraminds of Egypt.