Took the light rail, LUAS, into Dublin City. Got off at St Stephen's Green and walked down Grafton Street, main shopping precinct.
 
First stop, after coffee at Starbucks, was Trinity College . James went to University here for a while before chasing his investments "Down Under"! The campus is lovely; so traditional and spacious, with its quadrangle and central bell tower.
 
We joined the queue to look at the Book of Kells , (the four gospels in Latin), from the early 9th century, associated with St Colum Cille who lived on Iona, off Scotland and then at Kells, in County Meath in Ireland. The book has been at Trinity College since 1661. The book is beautifully illustrated, and there is a really good interpretative display preceding seeing the actual book. Included info on two other books - the Book of Armagh and the Book of Durrow. 
 
Then walked through the Long Room of the Old Library, built in 1712-1732. Houses 200,000 books, with amazing architecture and a current display of children books of mythology. Barrel-vaulted ceiling and gallery bookcases reaching to the ceiling on all sides. Beautiful collection of marble busts of folk such as Jonathan Swift lined both sides, dating from 1743. Also the oldest harp in Ireland, dating from the fifteenth century. The whole library has nearly 3 million books.
 
Walked up to O'Connell Street, looked at The Spire of Dublin, an enormous needle like obelisk built in recent years, and now mainly a meeting place!
 
Took the light rail to the Guinness Storehouse. Had lunch, including "free" Guinness for John, before doing the self guided brewery tour. Apparently they brew 3 million pints a day!! So now we know all about whiskey and beer making! 

 Then a taxi home. Met up again with Paul who took us to dinner.
 
So great to be welcomed warmly by all my Irish relatives, some of whom I had not seen for years.