As we laughed at her wit, Mike remarked:
“I have always objected to having a monkey tied on to my family tree.”
Mr. O’Neill took us to the Viceregal lodge, which is in Phoenix Park, where the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland lives in the summer time, and we had a brief audience with His Excellency. He professed to be much pleased to see us, and was greatly interested in our aerial exploits in the Irish atmosphere.
We also visited Dublin Castle, the center of Irish history for centuries. We saw there the tower in which Robert Emmet and Lord Edward Fitzgerald were confined, over a century ago, after their ill-fated rebellions. Oliver Cromwell resided in this castle for a time. William III. visited it in 1690. The Castle is at present the scene of many gay social events during the winter months, when the Lord Lieutenant resides in it.
Stephen’s Green is an aristocratic suburb of twenty-two acres in the heart of Dublin. It is a big square, surrounded by the mansions of the rich and titled of Dublin’s citizenship.
We motored also a little to the south of Dublin and visited Clontarf, where the famous battle was fought on Good Friday in 1014 between the Irish and the Danes. In this battle Brian Boru was killed. Brian marched his army that day from Phoenix Park, where he was encamped, and defeated the Danes, but one of the fleeing Danish generals slew the aged Brian.
There are two famed Cathedrals in Dublin. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Dean Swift formerly preached, is a fine cruciform church, in the early pointed style. In it there are monuments to both the Dean and “Stella” his wife. This Cathedral was founded in 1190 but had varied experiences in history. It was “restored” in 1865, at a cost of over $800,000, by Sir Benjamin Guinness.
The Roman Catholic Pro-Cathedral is in Marlborough Street, and is built in Doric style. The magnificent altar is of white marble. The music in the services is especially fine.
We planned to leave Dublin the first of the next week and continue our way southward. We spent a quiet Sunday at “Shaneville” attending divine services with the O’Neills.
The next morning Edith obtained permission from her father and mother to take her much anticipated flight over Dublin. The ascent was made at ten o’clock. Edith was dressed in a neat-fitting white dress, with white gloves and veil to match, when she appeared on the lawn, ready to start. She looked so charming as she seated herself in the aeroplane, that I could not help exclaiming.