On the afternoon of Monday
10th last week John, Chris and I flew from Southampton to
Dublin. Though it was a little grey and
miserable we still went for a walk along the river before dinner. I had totally come focused on really doing the
touristy thing and of course, just around the corner from the hotel was a bead
shop! I don’t think John or Chris were
that impressed as they kept walking. I
did manage a very quick peek though. On
the other side of the river Chris pointed out a fabric store and, though they
rolled their eyes, they did let me have a quick look around in there too. Of course the fact that every time we go anywhere
I try and suss out where the fabric and craft shops are beforehand and then
really struggle to find them had no meaning on this trip. I had forcibly not chosen to look for
any. Perhaps I shouldn’t bother in the
future at all then they will leap out at me!
Our first port of call on Tuesday
morning was Trinity Collage to see the Book of Kells. The first exhibition was very in-depth and
well worth spending the time over.
 |
| Please bear in mind that there were no cameras allowed, even phones had to be switched off. Photo from Wiki. |
A large group of Americans
arrived just after us and hardly had time to stop before their guide was
ushering them through to the next room.
Mind you the guide was very loud and telling everyone of all her past experiences
visiting the book and what to expect. I
was on the verge of pointing out to her that I had waited 35 years to see this
and I didn't really need her version spoiling it when she marched them all off
waving her umbrella! Though it was finally
peaceful again I did feel for them all missing out on so much information.
We were just about
finished in the first hall when John noticed that a large group of students
had just arrived and it would be a good idea to visit the book now. He is a genius when it comes to avoiding
crowds! We moved on to the next room and
there it was! The security was pretty impressive, but not as much as the
illumination on one of the pages. In 1953
the whole book was divided into four volumes, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, to
better preserve the whole thing. This
means that every two months they rotate two of the volumes on display and every
week they turn the pages.
I do love artisanship and
the stunning ability of past ages to create with the barest of materials and
tools. I have seen photos and have
several books on the Book but to actually be within inches of the velum and
ink, to actually see the precision of the pen strokes and the glow from the
gold was wonderful. I was almost sad to
move on upstairs to the Long Library as the group of students started coming
into the room.
I was more than grateful
to have seen it without having to jostle for a position and a glimpse!
.
