Dublin day

The National Museum is small (compared to other national museums, like the Smithsonian), but terrific (and free!). Celtic, Viking, Medieval objects dominate, including a Viking longboat. The best -- and most nightmare-producing -- were the bog people. About 3000 years ago it seems certain men (possibly kings) were treated, well, like kings, for a few months (including a hair pomade from France) then killed and their bodies put into bogs at the boundary lines between tribes. The bogs haven't got enough oxygen to support the microbes that decay things, so some of these bodies have been found. They look like flattened brown-leather people, but in at least one case, the face is still recognizable with its red hair and red stubble on the chin. Bog people have also been found in other northern European countries. Very eerie to look on a face that was a real live person nearly 3000 years ago.

We enjoyed a folk music concert in St. Stephen's Green, shopping (that would be my daughter's favorite), the 300-year-old Marsh Library (including cages where they locked students in so they wouldn't steal the books!). And we ended the day with the Guinness tour, including a pint in the 7th-floor bar with a 360-degree view of Dublin. Back to the house. Take-away fish and chips for dinner.

Love this house-swap!