On Monday the 23th of November the TY class went into Dublin’s city centre for a historical tour. The following is a report of the day from TY student Jason Carroll.

“First we got a bus from outside our school to St Patrick’s Cathedral. At St Patrick’s Cathedral we did a guided tour of the grand building. The tour itself was very interesting and enjoyable, we learned lots such as where the phase “chance your arm” came from, and how the Normans build the cathedral over eight hundred years ago and how one Jonathan swift woke people up in mass. We then did a stain glass workshop and this was enjoyed by most people in the class. We sadly then had to leave the breath taking cathedral behind and go to see Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Long Room/Library.

Before we went to see The Book of Kells we first went for a well-earned lunch after are long walk from St Patricks Cathedral. We met up again at the large oak doors of Trinity College and then walked to the museum building and Long Library. We yet again got got a great guided tour of both the Long Library and the Book of Kells. We learned lots such as that it took four young monks to write and draw the illustrations in it. The Book of Kells used to be one book but was split into four to help preserve it and it took over one hundred and eighty five calf skins to create it.  In the Long Room we all got the rare chance to see one of the twelve surviving Irish proclamations from the Easter week. We then left the amazing Long Room and left for another library the National Library of Ireland.

We arrived at the National Library after a short walk up some very dark scary alley ways but we arrived at the library in near perfected condition. The library is right beside Leinster House. The library itself has the largest collection of books in the country. In the library we got to visit the very grand reading room. Which took most people’s breath away. At the time we went to the library there was an expedition all about the life of W.B Yeats some people found this very interesting while some people found it very boring.

Finally I speak on behalf of my class that everyone had a fantastic day in Dublin city. The class would like to thank all of the amazing tour guides for passing on their great knowledge on to use and for Breda, Michelle and Mr O brine for organising the great day and for putting up with all of use for the whole day”.

By Jason Carroll of 4 Burren

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