Friday June 7th

Today we walked to Christ Church Anglican Cathedral via St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral. Christ Church was originally built by King Sitric Silkenbeard the Viking King of Ireland on the mid 11th century. The remains of his church can be seen in the grounds of the present building which was built in the 12th century and added to several times. The roof collapsed in 1562. partial repairs were carried out but the building wasn't finally rebuilt until the 1870s. There are now two Protestant Cathedrals in Dublin, Anglican and Church of Ireland.

St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral

St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral

Monkey Final on one of the arches.

The floor of the cathedral is covered in a large variety of tiles. These include some that depict Foxy Friars, a Christ Church icon.

Foxy Friars

Christ Church has the largest crypt in a church in Ireland and the UK. It hold such treasures as a copy of the MagnaCarta, gold plate given by William the Conqueror following his victory at the Battle of the Boyne, along with displays of Tudor clothing, etc.

The Crypt

William III gold plated communion vessels

Thursday June 6th.

Today we walked to Trinity College via Merrion Square, which is surrounded by renovated Georgian residences, mostly now converted into offices. This square was the home of various famous residents included Oscar Wilde, who lived at 1 Merrion Square as a child, while WB Yeats lived at No 82, and Daniel O’Connell (one of the influential figures in Irish separation form England) at No 58.
Our visit to Trinity College was to see the Book of Kells Exhibition. This is a a 9th century manuscript that documents the four Gospels. Also on the floor above is the Long Room, the Trinity College Library that houses 200,000 of Trinity College’s oldest books.

St Stephen's Park

Fountain St Stephen's Park

  

Sculpture: Famine

 

Sculpture: Famine

Merrion Square

Merrion Square

Merrion Square

Oscar Wilde, Merrion Square Park

Image from the Book of Kells

Image from the Book of Kells

Irish Linen Display

Trinity College Library - Long Room

Book of Kells Volume

Brian Boru Harp - oldest existing Irish harp

Wednesday June 5th:
We arrived in Dublin after 17 or 18 hours travelling including an hour's delay at SingaporeAirport for some unknown reason. Grey sky, drizzle and 13 degrees is quite a contrast after Singapore! Oh and it's summer apparently. 
We visited the Chester Beatty Library this afternoon at Dublin Castle. The library houses Beatty's personal collection of books, manuscripts, & artwork. Beatty made his money as a mining engineer/ mine owner and he and his second wife spent 60 years or so collection texts and art work form around the world with a particular interest in oriental and middle Eastern works from 200AD through to the 19th century.
 

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle Coach House

Chester Beatty Library Atrium

Singapore Day 2

Dinner at a Turkish restaurant in the Arab St quarter last night, then today back to look at Haji Lane which has been renovated then decorated with street art and lots of modern shops - pop art clothes, food.
Parkview Tower is a recent building in Art Deco Style.

Sultan Mosque 

Haji Lane

Haji Lane

Haji Lane

Haji Lane

Haji Lane

Park View Tower

First entry for several years.
We're in Singapore for a couple of days en route to Ireland. Staying at the Mercure Bugis in the smallest room I think we're ever encountered outside a country motel.
Pouring rain and lightning in the afternoon today. The latter discouraged us from swimming! But in the morning we visited the amazing Gardens by the Bay across the road from the Marina Bay Sands hotel - which looks like an ocean liner sitting on top of two high rise buildings. 
We went into the shopping centre behind it to have some lunch but when I suggested we could have tea at the tea room in the photo after first visiting Cartier, Di told me our budget didn't match either establishment - so we ate at the food court instead.

Dragon Flies

Super Trees

Natural Rock Sculpture

Natural Rock Sculpture

Camphorwood sest

Camphorwood Sculpture with Ants

Camphorwood Sculpture

Lily Pond

Tea Room Marina Bay Shoppes