Mission Blog #11

Tis The Season

Dublin:

Dublin is a bustling major city. After our District Council on Tuesday, we went downtown towards the Spire. Passed several pretty cool buildings. This is the Four Courts building built in the late 1700's, housing the main courts of Ireland. It sits adjacent to the River Liffey.

The River Liffey is lined on either side by busy streets and paths.

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland, set in the province of Leinster on the east coast. The city has a population of 1,350,000 and the Greater Dublin Area as of 2016 was 1,905,000. It was founded as a Viking settlement, and became Ireland's principal city following the Norman invasion.

There are some interesting murals, here near Smithfield Market. Old, new, eccentric, all coming together.

Smithfield Square has shops, pubs & restaurants, with a cobblestone plaza that hosts concerts, or public events throughout the year. 

This old smokestack was converted into an observation tower. You can pay 5 Euro for the privilege of walking up 259 steps (elevator has been out of service for 10 years) to see the 360 degree view of the city. I told the admission clerk that I know my limits and they are 258 steps so we'd have to take a pass. 

In our wanderings we stumbled into this great souvenir and gift shop. One of the distilleries of some renown here, Jameson's on Bow Street, is a neighbor to Carrolls.

Jameson Distilleries

When we were assigned to serve in Ireland, (as compared to Scotland), we didn't know if we'd have any opportunity to discover Irish family history. We do have some events (birth, marriage, deaths) that occurred in Ireland, but these were family of English origins and over a brief period.

By accident, I found this business, McMurray Tractors, while on one of the Map apps. I poked around and found out about the owners (McMurrays) of the business and that they are based in Royal Hillsborough - about 45 minutes up the M1 towards Belfast. I then checked out the Belfast phone directory for any McMurrays and found about 50 listings. I've also found that there are some McMurrays in the west, in Galway. I'm on the scent and we'll be looking to make some enquiries to see if we have some real family connections on the McMurray line in Ireland. 

Dundalk:

Tina was pretty happy to get a knock on the door Friday - it was the landlord's handyman Seamus, and he delivered and installed a brand new double wall oven. A bit of a Christmas miracle. We thanked him and on his way out, we gave him a poinsettia plant. He lit up when he received it, as it was unexpected.  It's fun to brighten someone's day. He sure brightened ours!

The Irish love celebrating the Christmas season, evidenced by their amazing light displays. It's great to feel the enthusiasm here for the season that celebrates the birth of our Savior, and the kindness and generosity that goes along with it. That's why it's the best time of the year - the light of Christ is more abundant and evident than at any other time of the year.

On P-day we went down to the town center and walked around all the shops and displays. 

Dundalk's city core really comes alive. Gift shops, boutiques, salons, take out, some fine dining. We enjoyed getting a feel for our city during this Christmas season.

This is one of many murals in Dundalk - they host an art festival here every year known as SEEK attracting artists from around the world. This mural is by Mariana Santos of Portugal.

Edward Bruce, a Scotsman, was the last High King of Ireland and reigned between 1315-1318. Edward, the brother of the King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce, led a military campaign known as the Bruce Invasion against the Anglo-Norman lordship of Ireland. This invasion ultimately gave rise to the two nations we recognize now as Ireland and Scotland.

In 1318, the invasion came to an end when, after marching south from Ulster for one last push, Edward risked open battle with an English army north of Dundalk at Faughart and was killed.

That's some of the history - and this mural depicts Edward Bruce on the march.

St. Patrick's Cathedral is built of Newry granite and designed in the style of King's College chapel, Cambridge. Completed in 1847 after 12 years of construction.

We were on the hunt for some Christmas poinsettias that we could give away as wee gifts for our neighbors. 

And so it's beginning to look alot like Christmas..... we love this time of year. But, we know that it is very difficult for many people; those who have suffered recent loss and will be missing a loved one; or those who are otherwise lonely, or shy of the necessities. Look around and find someone, one, or maybe more, who with a phone call, a visit, an invitation, could be lifted and given that boost that they need to get through a tough time. Bring the magic of Christmas, love, to someone this Christmas season. 

We're grateful to be on the Lord's errand and taking this pause in our lives to serve. We see His hand in our lives and the lives of others daily and count ourselves so blessed. May you all feel loved, and blessed and warm and full of the spirit of giving and forgiving this Christmas season.

With love. Elder & Sister McMurray