Sligo Day 2: "The Lutherans are too nice to correct him."
Today was
possibly the most beautiful day I have seen—a sky completely clear, the perfect
temperature, just enough breeze. We saw the Sligo Abbey and then walked around
in the late afternoon sun to find some of the cathedrals here. A good day well
spent, I think.
The morning started
with classes until noon, and then we ate a quick lunch before heading the five
minutes to Sligo Abbey. Our tour guide Barry introduced himself and a little
bit about Irish history. He also explained that Abbey was a slightly misleading
name, since the structure was inhabited by Dominican Friars, not monks. Monks
would have been isolated in their own chambers at night, whereas at Sligo Abbey
the men all shared a public dormitory. It was a brotherhood rather than a
hermitage.
The existing
church dates to the 15th century, since the original 13th century one was made
from highly flammable, compacted soil and burned down soon after it was built.
The new structure was made of stone to prevent that from happening again. Some
of the only surviving stonework in Ireland rests inside the chapel, including
the altar and various stone grave carvings. One of my favorites we saw all day
was a series of religious figures like Michael, St. Patrick, John the Baptist,
etc. all lined up on either sides of Jesus Christ. Each character has an
identifying feature that differs from the rest, which helps to place this piece
in the Gothic period. Nothing in the Gothic can be matching—one must always be
alter for subtle differences.
We then walked
beneath the chapel to the entrance to the cloister, where we got to see a grave
that had been scratched out. This was done by a professional, for reasons
unknown. Barry suggested it could have been because it was an illegitimate
child, or possibly because the family did not end up paying the stonemason for
his work. Either way, it was interesting to see something so rare.
The cloister is
one of the best preserved in all of Ireland. Each pillar has a different design
so that the residents could think about and meditate on different things each
time they walked around on the path. There is also one specific archway with a
love knot, which has been rubbed smooth over time. This knot symbolizes the
love of Christ. It is accompanied by a signature skull, which is the mark of
the stone mason that made it. Kind of an odd installment on a church wall, but
fascinating nonetheless.
After a short
break and a stop in a local bookshop, we dropped our things at the hotel and
then took a break for awhile. When I got antsy again, I decided to go for a
walk around town to get to know it better. Our professors recommended that we
go walk by the two cathedrals in town, so we made our way toward the crosses
popping up between the buildings. The larger, more impressive structure was
called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We did not have time to go
inside, but even the outside was gorgeous to look at. We came in from the back
and then walked around to the tower in the front. After waiting a few minutes
and walking around, the bells at quarter to six started chiming. Pretty neat!
After a short
break and a stop in a local bookshop, we dropped our things at the hotel and
then took a break for awhile. When I got antsy again, I decided to go for a
walk around town to get to know it better. Our professors recommended that we
go walk by the two cathedrals in town, so we made our way toward the crosses
popping up between the buildings. The larger, more impressive structure was
called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We did not have time to go
inside, but even the outside was gorgeous to look at. We came in from the back
and then walked around to the tower in the front. After waiting a few minutes
and walking around, the bells at quarter to six started chiming. Pretty neat!
Back to the
hotel for dinner, than homework and bed. It has been a pretty simple day, but
we have a big one planned for tomorrow: class in the morning at the City Hall
(!!!), then a trip to Carrowmore Cemetery, Knocknarea and the tomb of Queen
Medb, and Strandhill beach. I hope the weather tomorrow is as good as today!
Mountain climbing and beach going is always more exciting and enjoyable when
the sun is shining. I’m hoping to see rays coming through my window come morning
time!
♥
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