July 31: Hop On Hop Off Part 2

 Our second morning began with a tour of Kilmainham Gaol.  We arrived just in time for the start of the tour.  Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and discussed the struggle for Irish independence as he conducted the tour of the prison which was built in 1796.  The history of the prison was closely linked with the story of Irish nationalism and many of the leaders of the Irish rebellions were imprisoned there.

West Wing where prisoners were held before execution

The walkway between West Wing cells

East Wing has been used in movies and music videos

The tour guide

Name plates identified political prisoners 

The cross marks where leaders of the 1916 Uprising were shot

The bus drove through Phoenix Park, one of the largest walled  city parks in  Europe.  The park includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth century has been home to a herd of wild fallow deer.  There are also bike trails, sports fields and Dublin zoo.  The bus headed back to O'Connell Street and our second day came to an end.

President's house in Phoenix Park

Wellington Monument

Beautiful flowers

Daniel O'Connell Monument 

Spire of Dublin or Monument of Light

Interesting names for shops

Lots of vines

The Temple Bar District was our favorite place to have dinner and enjoy live music in the pubs.  

Temple Bar

Quay's Bar

Great music