Today was an absolute blast for me because I absolutely love museums. No matter where I go I try and go into at least two, so I’ve accomplished that for this trip! The National Archaeology Museum and the National History Museum were both smaller than I’m used to but that made no difference on the quality of material. At the Archaeology Museum, I was particularly fascinated with the perfectly preserved seals and stamps – I have become increasingly interested in wax seals and it was a treat to see some fully intact. Also of note would have to be the beautiful pottery pieces and some of the clothing we looked at. In reference to the bog bodies – I wish I would have seen them in person! The preservation is absolutely incredible, especially the bright red hair! Seeing it in person might have creeped me out a bit, but it would have absolutely been worth it; I might swing back during our free day.

The National History Museum was small and quaint, but wonderful! I loved the Victorian feel (of course) and Shana, Nicole, and I particularly enjoyed the inventive names of the moths in that section of the museum. Especially after today’s class, I found myself thinking about the animals’ places and where they came from, what their life might have been like, since they were from all over the world. I thought the same thing at the National Archaeology Museum – what history do these pieces on exhibition have? We know what the jewelry is made out of – who were they on? What is their story? What were their “places” and “spaces”? I wish we could know – I’d never get out of a museum if we had all that information to learn.

Afterwards, the dinner at Foyle’s and some shopping was fabulous… until the absolute downpour! (Shana, thank you for saving my delicious tart!) We certainly had a typical Irish experience with that rain!