What Trim, Ireland taught me.

As many of you know I stayed in Trim, Ireland for 5 weeks total, what you do not know is that I felt at home in this town and I felt as if I had lived there.

1. History- Aside from the obvious learning dates of when places of interest were founded and by who. It was amazing to actually be in that area and seeing the past and present stand together as a collective unit. To see massive structures that had been built by human hands without the machines we have today. Allowed me to see the innovation and ingenuity of humans and of our ancestors. I am now empathetic to my ancestors who lived in the middle ages. I was always told that Ireland and UK were cold and wet, especially their castles. This was no lie.
   
2. Culture - Movies and TV shows are big fat liars. There is no old man who gives you superstitious advice, the only thing they give you is HORRIBLE directions (and it is not a set of cultural directions). I literally got pointed in the wrong direction. The drunks I encountered were the Americans and Canadians I was with, the Irish in the pubs were not drinking excessively nor were they loud and obnoxious. I learned quite quickly that #publife is only meant for socialization not excessive drinking (the pubs made a ton of money off us).
   
3. Hospitality- This could be defined with culture but Irish hospitality is not unlike Southern hospitality where the visitors are very welcomed. This is perhaps why I felt very at home, because I felt welcomed and their definition of hospitality is somewhat like mine. We both serve tea and cookies to guests, well sometimes I serve coffee but mostly it's sweet iced tea. I really missed iced sweet tea, A LOT. I tried to make some and I failed miserably.
4. Pride - I learned to accept my quirks and where I come from. 
5. Dreams - I found my true passions and found my direction in life, where I would like my career path to lead. 
6. Weather - Despite me living in Fl and everyday is a 30% chance of rain, I learned how to prepare for weather in Ireland and UK. It is cold up there for a Southerner like myself, I will never use an umbrella in Ireland again; only raincoats and rain boots and don't bother with the umbrella. Trust me, it'll just end up inside out. RIP Mr. Purple.
   

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Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland churches

They are both named St. Patrick's and the only word that differs is the name; whether it is a 'church' or 'cathedral'.

 St. Patrick's church-

(As seen from Trim Castle)

                                It was built in the 19th century and is Roman Catholic. 

I attended a mass here and it was fastest mass I have ever attended. Instead of being an hour is was between 30-45 minutes, there was no singing and no homily. Also instead of walking up in single file to the priest for the Eucharist, everyone just walked up in any manner they chose and up to the fence in front of the altar while the priest walked left to right.

 Commemorating St. Bernadette and the Virgin at the grotto.

St Patrick's Cathedral-

  

It is Anglican and is the Church of England, unlike in England where it is the Church of England. I did not attend mass here but I imagine it is similar to the Anglican churches I have attended.

The tower was built in the medieval ages and is a remnant of the Church of Trim

Ceremonies to become bishops have been here since the early 1500's

On this land supposedly St. Patrick originally founded his church. It did not survive most likely because it would have been wooden and if it was stone it was rebuilt during the medieval ages. There are several stories about this, some say it was his nephew but others say it was the famous saint.

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Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland cont

To continue on this town.
 In 1202 Simon de Rochefort, Bishop of Meath, attempted to build a town near Trim, Ireland called Newtown Trim. He wanted this town to rival Hugh de Lacey's up and coming town that was becoming one of the most powerful medieval cities in Ireland. Simon de Rochefort failed but in the outskirts of Trim are 3 ruins that showcase his failed attempt.

Priory of St. John the Baptists
First built as an monastery to house the Augustinian order but also had a portion that was built to house the sick and was used as a hospital. In 1539 the order was dissolved and was used as a private residence before falling into ruin.

The tower house which was used as a house for the Prior.

The chimney of the tower house.

The nave and chancel -

Nave - where the congregation would have stood for mass (Western end)

Chancel - Eastern end of the church - where the high altar would have been.

This was a defensive enclosure that protected the priory. On the North side of the priory was the banks of the River Boyne which acted as a natural defense.

A portion of the prior as seen from the top of tower.

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Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland

I was living in this small town about an hour away from Dublin for 5 weeks. I am going to have to make a couple posts about this town. To begin County Meath is the heritage capital of Ireland, within the county there are so many historical sites and you can find/ see ruins everywhere amongst the modern buildings.

To begin I was in an archaeological dig in Trim excavating the Blackfriary built in 1263.

But some sights around town were Trim Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Simon de Rocheforts Cathedral, St John's Priory, Yellow Steeple, Medieval bridge.

Trim Castle

Building began in 1172 by Hugh de Lacy who was granted the lands from the English King Henry II. It is the largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland. It sits in the middle of town which still maintains its medieval street layout. The town was at the height of power during the middle ages and was the place to be. When discussion of where to place Trinity College began, the other option was Trim. Imagine if things had been different how Trim would be currently. Also an interesting tidbit about the castle, Braveheart was filmed here and was used as the castle double for York castle. Anyways here are some pictures of the castle.

Within the gatehouse

 Where the sacraments were kept in the castle chapel

The view from the window where the Prince's lover was thrown from in the movie Braveheart

At the top of the castle

The River Boyne and view from the top of the castle

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