Dublin Day Three

Culture Overload

Our fourth day in the Emerald Isle held culture, and lots of it. First thing after breakfast we visited the Irish National Gallery, where we spent a few hours (trying to) absorb the richness of modern Irish art.  We then visited the museum’s must-see exhibit on Caravaggio and his followers.  This ranks among my favorite exhibits that I’ve seen in Europe, with interesting renderings of biblical characters such as David & Goliath and Cain & Abel.  The taking of the Christ, by Caravaggio himself, headlines the exhibit. 

After spending a good chunk of the morning in the company of priceless, one of a kind works of art, we made our way to the Irish National Library.  The National Library boasts a detailed exhibit on the life and work of William Butler Yeats (which rhymes with gates, not sheets). 

After having our fill of culture for the time being, we walked to Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, which is to Ireland as Harrods is to England.  After a few minutes of glorified window shopping, we retraced our steps back to the hotel to relax until our evening activities. 

Friday evening we saw Jane Eyre at the Gate Theatre.  Martin and Dad were not pleased, but I loved the rendition of my favorite book.  I thought it true to both the plot and characters, and it held my attention better than any play or musical that I’ve seen in recent years.