We have had three busy days. On Monday we were treated to a walking tour by Larkin who was PASSIONATE about Ireland's history and independence from England. We started our tour at Trinity College. We learned about the "window tax", and saw it first hand with the lack of windows in the Bank of Ireland. We saw Dublin Castle (the first of many castles, we are sure), City Hall and the General Post Office (GPO). It was very interesting to see the bullet holes in the cement at the GPO from the Easter Rebellion of 1916. We have crossed the River Liffey many times and most can find their way around the central part of the city. Monday afternoon we toured St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. What an amazing work of art!

Monday evening we were treated to dinner at the Arlington Pub. We stayed for Irish singing and step dancing. Some of the students even got on stage and tried their "feet" at step dancing. We hope to post that video clip later!

Tuesday and Wednesday students explored on their own, visiting sites both in and out of Dublin. One student found where ancestors were laid to rest. How exciting! Other points of interest have been The National Museum, Kilmainham Gaol, the Dublin Zoo, the Guiness Factory and Talbot St (for great shopping). Those who have visited Kilmainham Gaol (jail) have commented on how interesting it was. It is massive in size, and has housed many political prisoners since the 1800s. It is best known for housing and then executing 12 patriots who participated in the Easter Rebellion of 1916. During the Great Hunger it housed up to 9000 prisoners in 188 cells. After all, there was food in prison. It also housed women and children as young as 5 years old according to the tour narrator. It was disturbing seeing the cells, exercise yard, and sites of the executions. Certainly it stands as an important piece of Ireland's history.

Today some of us met with 3 students who recently graduated from medical school at Trinity College. Each had spent at least one month doing an internship at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira over the last two summers. It was very interesting to discuss differences in medical education between the two countries, and the health care delivery system in general. Both systems are certainly feeling the economic strain.

Thursday morning we will leave Dublin at 8:00 am sharp for Cobh. On Friday we will tour Blarney Castle and experience Queenstown. Saturday we leave for Tralee. We are not sure when our next post will be due to internet access. When we have access we will post more pictures, and perhaps a clip of our own step dancers! We learn more about Irish history and Ireland every day.