Irish Heritage Sites and a Small, Small World

Good morning!  Hope you had a good weekend.

We have a long list of "Heritage Sites of Ireland" which we have been working away at since we've been here. . . two of the last ones in the immediate Dublin area were Rathfarnam Castle and the Pearse Museum and St. Enda's Park.

Our nearby bus took us directly to the entry gate of the Castle in Rathfarnam.  We walked the grounds first, then went inside to view the costume and toy collection from the from the 18th. and 19th. centuries.

The Castle dates back to the Elizabethan period (16th. Century) and had a long history of English ownership up to the period when the Jesuits owneship and protected it during the period of the Irish Civil war. . . we had a very engaging guide, and the buiding was as interesting to us as the costumes and toys (which were also very interesting but no photos allowed).

Rathfarnam Castle

It was a beautiful day, so rather than getting back on a bus, we walked the 30 minutes or so to the next stop . . . I'm glad we did because the walk took us by some lovely areas. . .

Abbey in Rathfarnam

Enda Park which surrounds the Pearse Museum is described in the brochures as "charming and atmospheric" - - I think that's what they say anytime thy have left trees undisturbed.  We enjoyed the "atmosphere"!

Into the woods

Out of the woods

Before Patrick Pearse became wrapped up in revolution (the Easter Rising of 1916), he and his brother started a boarding school on these grounds for the education of young Irish men  AS Irishmen.  They taught classical languages AND Irish, and placed emphasis on the arts, languages, and natural sciences (hence, their location inside a lovely park land).  Unfortunately, both brothers were executed after the uprising, but the school continued until the 1930's.  Their sister left the school and grounds to the Office of Public Works to preserve the legacy.

Pearse School now Museum

Sunday took us back to Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane for a Sunday noon concert by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland.  This was their final stop on their Spring tour, but lacked nothing in energy.  The program was contemporary Irish music. . . most enjoyable.  Sixteen voices (including a male alto) . . .the perfect size!

Here's where the small, small world comes in - - the conductor had formerly been the Director of the Early Music Institute at Indiana University!  AND, two of the composers were past Fulbright Scholars. . . one at Columbia University, and one at the University of Wisconsin.

Small world indeed!