TY Art and Classical Studies tour of Dublin

On Tuesday morning at 10.20am instead of our usual TY Classical Studies class, the students, Ms. Mahon and I headed into town for our annual walking tour. This trip has become a highlight of the school year for me. The influence of Greek and Roman architecture is evident on almost every key street in our city. For those students who don’t continue with Classical Studies next year, I am delighted to have introduced them to the importance of ancient architectural features in Dublin. For those sophos (wise) students who continue to study Classical Studies for the Leaving Certificate, this trip is an excellent basis for Topic 10: Roman Art and Architecture. 
Ms. Mahon and I have combined the trip to look at significant pieces of art in the city. It was a learning experience for me to listen to the TYs describe in detail the expressions and techniques used to sculpt the famine statues on Custom’s House Quay. (Click on blog title for more photos.)

Students were divided into groups and had to fill in a worksheet on key buildings we visited. They were also asked to create a poster of photographs taken on the day. This work is part of their continuous assessment of TY.

It is always interesting to hear what buildings students preferred. This year College Green was the most popular. Very few students had ever gone inside and we spent longer than expected learning about the House of Lords, thanks to a very informative and friendly security guard. The model helped students to appreciate impressive architecture of the three sided plaza.

The main buildings we stopped at were:
•    Custom’s House
•    The GPO
•    College Green
•    Trinity
•    City Hall

We finished our tour with a visit to the Chester Betty Library, where Ms. Mahon explained some of the fine Eastern art on display. 

Thanks to all of the TYs and Ms. Mahon especially for a super day out. This trip highlighted how you don’t have to go far or spend any money to see beautiful buildings and the tremendous influence our classical ancestors have had on us today.
Ms. Donohoe

On Tuesday 13th of May, Ms Donohoe and Ms Mahon brought us around town to show us how modern buildings all over the world are inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. The number of classical references in well-known buildings such as the GPO, the custom’s house and  College Green was stunning and once you look at them in that way, you can really see the obvious inspiration, with columns, pediments and dentils on every other building in Dublin town. The trip was a real eye-opener and very interesting. 

Rory Murphy (TY)

On  the 13th May, the TYs went on our Classical walking tour. We went to town to look at neo-classical architectural buildings. It was fascinating to see buildings interpret Greek and Roman styles of architecture.

Leanna Morgan (TY)