Iveagh Gardens Fountain
Everyone head outside!!
St. Stephen's Green
Merrion Square
On Tuesday, Mark was back to Manchester England for another conference, leaving me to wander the neighborhood and find a bench in St. Patrick's Park for some plein air painting.
Wednesday was another beautiful day for a walk, and we headed back to the Grand Canal - - very different atmosphere from the last time we were there. Now that the weather has turned warm, there were literally hundreds of people gathered on the greens, drinking their beer and enjoying the sunshine. It made Broadripple on a Friday night look like a tea party!
Out of the sun, we visited the Marsh Library - Ireland's first public library - founded by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh and still housed in the original 1701 building in St. Patrick's Close.
Irish-Americans always supportive
Thursday Mark presented his final report to the faculty and students at DIT. . .
Professor Mark
Following that, we attended the premier performance of the newly re-opened Smock Alley Theatre, preceded by an awesome tour of the facility by the Director of the Smock Alley Players. . . fascinating history - see this link from their website: http://www.smockalley.com/downloads/History%20Introduction%20by%20Dr%20Christopher%20Morash.pdf
Smock Alley Theatre
Me and my new friend The Director
Friday we returned to our continuing history lesson with a visit to the Leinster House, the building that houses the National Parliament of Ireland.
Leinster House
An interesting note - in 1963 they constructed a mezzanine floor in the main part of the building so that John F. Kennedy could walk directly from the lift (elevator) to the Senate chambers for his speech without having to navigate the stairs. If you ever plan to come to Ireland, be prepared to walk up and down stairs!!!! They are unavoidable!
House Chamber - photo from website
A week from RIGHT NOW I'll be on my way home! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend America!!
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