Journeys on Screen: One Million Dubliners

One Million Dubliners is very well done documentary about Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, affectionately referred to as the National Cemetery of Ireland, the resting place of many of Ireland's rebels and heroes, writers and musicians, mums and dads. It is a fascinating look into not only the history of the cemetery and its cultural legacy but the day to day business of running such a place, of providing such an important service to families. This is a beautifully shot film, respectfully made. As you'll learn from the film, Glasnevin offers tours through which ages of Irish history is told in a profound and engaging way. This documentary helps tell its story. 

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Ireland - Land of Saints and Scholars

Trinity College Dublin - www.tcd.ie

Ever fancy moving to Ireland, enrolling at Trinity College and studying some Irish History? Well, you can have a little slice of that dream from the comfort of home if you wish. Trinity College Dublin has offered a FREE online course "The Book of Kells: Exploring an Irish Mediavel Masterpiece."  The course is super easy to join, did I mention free, and it has just begun - available until Nov. 18th.

Page from Book of Kells - www.tcd.ie

It is a self paced 4 week course. I've already been through the course material for week one. It is fascinating and well presented with articles, videos, and interactive media. The course is offered through www.futurelearn.com which offers tons of other free online courses (also of note Irish 102: An Introduction to Irish Language & Culture). So go sign up, sharpen you pencils and your wits for a journey through Medieval Ireland. Grab a scarf and a hot cuppa tea as you imagine with me - strolling through the Autumn grounds of Trinity College, into the Long Room Library to learn in the land of Saints & Scholars.

The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin www.tcd.ie 

The Secret of Kells

Blog of Kells

Arguably one of Ireland's greatest treasures, the 9th century illuminated manuscript, The Book Of Kells, is an ornately decorated edition of the four Gospels in Latin. Highly skilled scribes produced a book so full of vibrantly colored inks and stunning gold leaf that it is still an object of beauty and awe after so many years. It also illustrates the convergence of Christianity with the culture of Ireland, which you can see by the use of Irish motifs like knotwork interlacing, spirals, and zoomorphic designs. It is on display (well, two pages of it at a time) at Trinity College Dublin. After all these years it is still a source of inspiration.

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Created in 2009, the Irish animated film, The Secret of Kells, tells the story of the famed book. It also displays a vibrant tapestry of Irish Christianity and ancient customs that have endured in Ireland. It tells the story of the creation of the Book of Kells through Brendan, a young monk living at the Abbey of Kells. It is a charming, historical, yet highly creative look at medieval Ireland and the story behind one of the most famous books in the world. The stunning animation mimics the artistry of the Book of Kells, with spirals, knotwork, arches, and mystery. And true to the culture of Ireland, it also intertwines the ancient ways and beliefs of Ireland by way of mystical woodlands and mythical creatures. It has the essence of a fairy tale but so much more. If you've yet to see this stellar film it is surely worth watching for the knowledge it provides, the mesmerizing artistry, and the magic that Ireland does so well.   

Saint Patrick

Below is a useful graphic (click link to see larger version) I ran across for those of us less informed about Ireland's Patron Saint, Patrick. Did you know...his real name was Maewyn ? He wasn't Irish at all !! Brush up on a little Saint Patrick history then head over to Tourism Ireland to test your knowledge with a QUIZ.

SOURCE

The Story of Ireland

If you are interested in learning more about Irish History, its far reaching ancient roots, its tangled political roots, or a little bit of your own roots, there is not shortage of materials out there. Documentaries are a great resource though not all are created equal. Some aren't historically accurate, some are boring, but some are beautiful, some are deep and thorough and engaging. While The Story of Ireland is long, it's split into 5 parts and I enjoyed this one done by the BBC and learned a tremendous amount. Cozy up with a cuppa tea on these cold winter days and learn The Story of Ireland, if you are so inclined. 

The Story of Ireland : Part One

The Story of Ireland : Part Two

The Story of Ireland : Part Three

The Story of Ireland : Part Four

The Story of Ireland : Part Five

Anatomy of a Castle: Castle Walls

Harlech Castle Walls, Wales

The first line of defense for a castle was location. The lucky ones are perched atop volcanic crags where they can see miles in all directions. Many are on ocean cliffs or along rivers, all serving strategic purposes. After location, the well defended castle has a wall, sometimes called a curtain wall. Later some castles, called Concentric Castles, would have a set of two concentric walls, one inside the next. These walls could be from around 2 meters and 8 meters thick!

Pembroke Castle, Wales

Some castle walls adjoined walls that encircled the entire town such as Conwy Castle, Wales. Conwy Castle was a built for English King Edward I in Wales in 1283 to quell Welsh Rebellions against the crown. Walls were extended to envelop town, where only English settlers & soldiers were allowed. Many castles such as this were built in Wales at this time (Pembroke, Harlech, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, etc).  The walls contain many defensive elements that make up the castle's battlements. Learn more about these in my next post. Until then, enjoy your walk upon the ramparts.

Map of Conwy Castle and complete Town Walls, Wales  (source)

Stretch of Conwy's Town Walls which you can still walk.

Atop Conwy Castle, Wales

Kidwelly Castle, Wales

Anatomy of a Castle

Cahir Castle, Ireland

Perched quite high on my list of travel destinations are castles. We prefer the wild, deserted, partially ruinous ones to the overly restored, museum-like, antique filled ones but there are many gems (like Cahir Castle, Ireland) that fall in the middle. It has been thoughtfully restored to it's medieval might in a way that you can imagine the history around you. Castles have inspired the contents of July's Issue of Emerald Post. In addition, I'm starting a series of posts here, digging into the parts of the castle.

Note - I am not a historian or any sort of architectural expert on castles but I did study Medieval History in my college days and continue to be entranced by these grand monuments of the past, their role in history, and their continuing presence throughout Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales. So join me here for my blog series "Anatomy of a Castle" as we explore Medieval fortresses of the Celtic Isles.

My Webster's defines a castle as "a large fortified building or group of buildings." The web adds "fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat." And fortified is the key here. Castles were not just palaces or royal residences. In many cases, royalty did indeed live within the fortified walls and often, these castles showcased power and wealth but they were built to be strongholds. The fortified castle from the Middle Ages (5th-15th century) is where we will journey, touring the massive walls, great halls, and all the nooks and crannies of these Medieval marvels. We'll begin, in my next post, with Walls & Battlements. 

http://thehelpfulartteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/medieval-castles.html

Castles Coming

Castles will be featured in the July edition of Emerald Post. Get yours HERE.

Incredible Stories, Expertly Told

Photo from www.abartaheritage.ie

If you have an affinity for Ireland, for histories, for stories, or have any inclination to travel to the Emerald Isle, you must meet Abarta Heritage and Audio guides. Abarta Heritage offers many easily downloaded audio guides to listen to while traveling or while in the comfort of your own home sipping a hot cuppa tea. Best yet.....most are FREE. That's right. Whisk yourself away to other lands and other centuries with an expert audio guide (Abarta is run by archaeologists and historians). Abarta also runs a gorgeous Instagram account and blog. Abarta is a great resource for travelers but just as enjoyable and informative for those who dream of "one day" hopping the pond to Ireland. Neil Jackman, from Abarta also runs Time Travel Ireland, a great website featuring archaeological site around Ireland.

An Irish High Cross - Carvings Explained

www.abartaheritage.ie

The Names Upon the Harp

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite books of Irish myth. The Names Upon the Harp is a spectacularly illustrated edition of 9 well-known Irish myths such as The Children of Lir and Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge. It is written by Marie Heaney (more on her husband Seamus Heaney's poetry another time) and illustrated by PJ Lynch. This book is great for children and adults alike. The myths are abridged for length but still quite poetic and the illustrations absolutely bring the stories and the land of Ireland to life. Both author and illustrator are Irish and these stories are certainly in good hands here. Also, there is a handy pronunciation guide in the back for that tricky Gaelic.  Heaney and Lynch both have other, quite spectacular works. Lynch, in fact, is Ireland's Laureate for Children's Literature. Heaney has written may books of myth including Over Nine Waves: A Book of Irish Legends (for adults) which is on my list to read this March.

I think this may be out of print here in the US and on amazon but you can find a hardback here at The Book Depository with free shipping. And I actually first found this at my local library.

Ireland of the Welcomes

Today I'd like to share on of my favorite magazines. Ireland of the Welcomes is one of the most exciting things to grace my mailbox. It's a treat that only arrives 6 times a year, but well worth the $33 (for US). This magazine is a gorgeous full color journey through Ireland's history, culture, & folklore as well as in depth pieces on the modern Ireland of today. The photographs are always gorgeous and the stories and articles top notch. Almost all content - only 6 pages of ads out of 65. You can read a free issue online HERE. And if you are so inclined, you can subscribe HERE.