This morning we got up and drove back to Dublin.
We decided to spend it at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology.
We started with prehistoric Ireland.
These are Bann flakes from 4,300-3,900 BC from the River Bann (Northern Ireland).
Various food vessels from 2,000-1,800 BC from all over Ireland.
Also two Halberds from 2,000-1,700 BC from County Mayo.
This is a two-piece mould for dirks or rapiers from 1,700-1,300 BC from County Cork.
A rapier from 1,400-1,000 BC from County Derry.
Horsehair tassels from 900-500 BC from County Antrim.
Crotal bells (the hanging things) from 900-500 BC from County Offaly.
And side-blown and end-blown horns from 900-500 BC from County Kerry.
Gold dress fasteners from 800-700 BC from various counties.
Gold Torc from 1,200-1,000 BC from County Mayo.
Gold Torc from 1,200-1,000 BC from County Galway.
Gold Earrings from 1,200-1,000 BC from County Roscommon.
Gold and Amber beads from the Later Bronze Age from County Kilkenny.
Ear-spools from 800-700 BC from County Westmeath.
Gold dress-fasteners and gold ear-spools from 800-700 BC from County Wexford.
Gold collar from 800-700 BC from County Tipperary.
A little boat!
Torc from Broighter Hoard.
Silver chalice from the 9th century AD from County Tipperary.
Two silver brooches from around the 9th century AD from Counties Kilkenny and Cavan.
The Tara Brooch from 8th century AD from County Meath.
This is a bronze and silver belt shrine from the 8th century AD from County Sligo.
Two sliver annular (closed ring) brooches from around the 9th century AD from County Limerick.
Penannular (open ring) brooch from 10th century AD from County Limerick.
Silver penannular brooch from the 10th century from County Kildare.
Also 9th century silver ingots.
Silver brooch from 9th century AD from County Antrim.
Also 9th century silver ingots.
St. Patrick's Bell from sometime in the 6th-8th century AD from County Armagh.
And now, several photos of the Shrine for St. Patrick's Bell; it's from 1100 AD.
The Clonmacnoise Crozier from 11th century AD from County Offaly.
The River Laune Crozier from 11th century AD County Kerry.
The Lismore Crozier from 1100 AD from County Waterford.
And now the Cross of Cong from early 12th century AD from County Mayo:
A Romanesque Door from a church - 12th century AD.
Antler, bone, and stone motif pieces from between the 5th-11th centuries AD from various counties.
Oh, remember the harp that doesn't belong to Brian Boru? Well, here's more info about him.
Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh (The War of the Irish with the Foreigners). This is James Henthorn Todd's edition and translation from 1867. It represents the first print version of this text that probably originated in the early 12th century.
Hoard of silver and brass artifacts from the 10th century from Dunmore cave in County Kilkenny.
Copper alloy seal matrix of the episcopal town of Kilkenny from the 13th century.
The Latin inscription reads "Common seal of the town of Kilkenny of Ossory."
Random fact: A large portion of Ireland's towns were founded by the English in the short period from 1170 to 1290. No further towns were founded until after 1550.
Locks and keys from the 12th and 13th centuries.
How the locks work.
The museum also had several bog bodies, which I saw, but did not take photos of. Like the body casts from Pompeii, I found them very upsetting and didn't feel comfortable taking photos of them.
We stopped for some snacks at the museum cafe and a random thing happened. While waiting in line, the guy behind me asked if my name was Maura. I said yes, but I was very confused because I did not recognize him. It turns out he used to take karate with my brothers and me when we were younger and is still, at least, Facebook friends with my one brother. He was visiting Ireland with his girlfriend. I, apparently, still look like I'm 10, because I'm pretty sure that's the last time he would have seen me. Anyway, small world!
We meandered around Dublin for our last night and in the morning headed back to Italy.
This concludes our adventures in Ireland.
