The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher, located on the western coast of Ireland in County Clare, are among the country’s most iconic and breathtaking natural landmarks. Stretching for about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) along the Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, reaching heights of up to 214 meters (702 feet) at their highest point.

Like many tourists, I embarked on a 13-hour day trip from Dublin to see the Cliffs of Moher. The tour bus departed from a stop right outside Trinity College at 7 a.m., and after a 4-hour journey, including a bathroom stop, we arrived at the cliffs. We were given 2 hours to explore the trail and take in the stunning views. Unfortunately, two hours was barely enough to walk one way (towards the south), leaving the other direction unexplored. This limitation is why I’m not fond of organized tours—I prefer the freedom to explore at my own pace rather than adhering to a strict timeline. Despite this, walking along the trail and taking in the cliffs was a special experience.

On the bus ride, I was seated next to a 24-year-old young man from Georgia who was on his first vacation to Dublin. We talked almost non-stop and ended up walking the trail together. This is another reason I love traveling: you always meet people from different countries who broaden your perspective. I learned a lot from him, and although I was traveling alone, I never felt lonely.

The Book of Kells Experiences

The Book of Kells is one of the most famous and intricate examples of medieval illuminated manuscripts. This exquisitely decorated copy of the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) is written in Latin and is believed to have been created around 800 AD, though some scholars suggest it may have been started earlier.

The Book of Kells is currently housed at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where it is on permanent display. Due to its delicate nature, the manuscript is kept in a controlled environment, with only a few pages displayed to the public at a time, which are periodically turned.

Trinity College is currently hosting "The Book of Kells Experience" on campus, a popular attraction that draws a large number of tourists daily. The experience begins at the Old Library, where visitors first enter an exhibit detailing facts about the book, including its illumination and artwork, script, materials, and history. (See some of the photos I took in the exhibit area.)

Afterward, we enter the room where the Book of Kells is kept. The manuscript is displayed in a glass case in a very dimly lit room. Photography is not allowed.

Following this, we proceed to the Long Room. Most of the books have been removed from the Long Room for restoration, except for the first two rows upon entering the room.

After visiting the Long Room, we exit the library building and walk into a tent set up across the way. Here, we are shown a 360-degree film related to the historical stories of the Book of Kells.

From the Exhibit Room

The Long Room

Proclamation of the Irish Republic

Gaia

The Brian Bor Harp

About the Book of Kells

Illumination and Artwork: The Book of Kells is renowned for its elaborate and detailed illustrations, which include intricate interlacing patterns, mythical creatures, and symbolic representations of the evangelists (Matthew as a man, Mark as a lion, Luke as a calf, and John as an eagle). The colors are vibrant, and the level of detail is astonishing, considering the tools and materials available at the time.

Script: The text is written in a style known as "insular script," which was used by monks in the British Isles. The script is highly stylized, with the letters often intertwined with the artwork, making the text itself a part of the visual experience.

Materials: The manuscript is made of vellum, which is a type of parchment made from calfskin. The pigments used for the illustrations were derived from a variety of sources, including minerals and plants.

History: The origins of the Book of Kells are somewhat mysterious, but it is generally believed to have been created by monks in a monastery on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. The book was likely brought to the monastery of Kells in Ireland following a Viking raid, hence its name.

Relates to the Book of Kells Experience:

Trinity College Dublin

Before I came to Dublin, I researched online and learned that Trinity College is the oldest college in Ireland, steeped in history, and home to the Book of Kells. Its central location made it an ideal place for me to stay. On the way there, the taxi driver informed me that it is still a functional college, even though it is open to tourists.

During my stay, the only students I noticed were playing tennis on the court right under my window. Each day, there were large groups of tourists on campus for tours, with the Book of Kells Experience being the main attraction.

Only in the early morning did I find the campus quiet and empty, allowing me to take some photos in peace. Here are some photos taken both with and without tourists.  Unfortunately, right now its center piece, the iconic bell tower Campanile is under scaffolding.

The campus is quite small; it takes less than 10 minutes to walk from the main entrance to one end, and another 10 minutes to walk around and back.

Bridges over the River Liffey in Dublin

Over the course of one day (early morning to sunset hours) I walked along the River Liffey to photography Dublin's many bridges. Here are 14 bridges that I have photographed.  Enjoy!  

1. Samuel Beckett Bridge - A modern, cable-stayed bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, resembling a harp, which is a symbol of Ireland.

2. Ha'penny Bridge (Liffey Bridge) - A famous pedestrian bridge dating back to 1816, known for its unique curved design.

3. O'Connell Bridge - A wide road bridge that connects O'Connell Street to D'Olier Street and the south side of the city.

4. James Joyce Bridge - Another bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, named after the famous Irish writer James Joyce.

5. Millennium Bridge - A pedestrian bridge opened in 1999 to mark the new millennium.

6, Loopline Bridge - a Railway bridge 

7. Talbot Memorial Bridge - A road bridge named in honor of Irish nationalist Matt Talbot.

8. Rosie Hackett Bridge - A relatively new bridge opened in 2014, named after labor activist Rosie Hackett.

9. Grattan Bridge (Essex Bridge) - A road bridge connecting Capel Street to Parliament Street.

10. Rory O'More Bridge - A road bridge that connects Ellis Quay on the north side to Victoria Quay on the south side.

11. Father Mathew Bridge (Dublin Bridge) - A road bridge originally constructed in 1818, known for its three arches.

12. Mellows Bridge (Queen Maeve Bridge) - The oldest surviving bridge across the Liffey, dating back to 1768.

13. Seán O'Casey Bridge - A pedestrian swing bridge named after the famous Irish playwright Seán O'Casey.

14. O'Donovan Rossa Bridge - The bridge was renamed O'Donovan Rossa Bridge in 1923, in honor of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, an Irish Fenian leader and nationalist who was deeply involved in the struggle for Irish independence.