I did what is becoming routine this morning: wake-up, eat breakfast and walk into the city centre. Today's goal was to first go to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, but my Google directions led me nowhere since I was following "user created content." I found the appropriate address but it seemed so far away. So I went to the next place on my itinerary, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, but since they close at lunch I decided to go back to Lower Camden where there had been a ton of little eateries.
I was on the prowl for something more my taste since last night's chicken and gravy on fries--I mean chicken curry--(you can see the pics on Flickr) left me wanting. I found a great lunch at... Shoot, I forgot the name but I think I'll be back... Anyway I had a lamb steak with a mint cream sauce, sautéed sweet potatoes and ratatouille for only €10. I would have taken a photo but it was dim and I didn't want to draw attention to myself. So good.
Afterward, with renewed spirits I decided to take the hike to the museum. I found some great streets along the way like Francis Street which is the antiques and tiny art gallery street. I'll go back there... I didn't take any pictures there because my battery was getting to the halfway point.
Same with the museum which is kind of hidden away. They had a Terry Winter's show that was very good. They displayed many of his sketches which were awesome. I also saw a great Ann Hamilton and a typical but still good Kiki Smith.
Then back to Marsh Library which is through a little archway behind St. Patrick's Cathedral. I highly suggest looking it up to read more about it, I'd include more now but I'm keeping an eye on my battery power. At the top of the stairs is a big door and a little bell to ring. Once I rang, a little Irishman peeked out and asked, "Would you like to visit?" His tone was of pure curiosity, as if once I was presented with the choice there was a possibility I might not want to. "Absolutely!" I responded, I couldn't wait! There was a few people who rang after me who said "no." I think they were from Ohio (the doorman asks everyone where they come from)... Even after he offered them a discounted rate of €1 they turned around and left. Right after them, however, was a mother and three little boys chomping at the bit to see books with chains and the skull. (The skull is from the head of Stella, Jonathan Swift's longtime 'friend'.) In the back of the library are the cages where scholars were locked in with books (um, where can I get in that line?). But after looking at the titles I can see why they had to look scholars in: Commons Journals, State Trials, British Statutes.... Blah!
Actually, the postcard in the picture is of the over 300 year old library (no photos inside) and the rest, well the brownie disappeared a few paragraphs ago and the coffee is getting cold. I'm on my way to Christ Church Cathedral to check out the choir before I head back to home base...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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