The most deeply moving part of experiemcing DUBLIN, IRELAND for a few days was visiting KILMAINHAM GAOL a former prison in Dublin, Ireland. It is now a museum that is a crucial site for understanding Irish history, particularly the struggle for independence, as it held and executed many leaders of rebellions, including the 1916 Easter Rising.
A few things that struck me the most was that they put starving men and women, including children begging for food in the streets, sometimes without parents, and one child was even three years old when put in this prison to clean up the streets. Heartbreaking stuff.
Prisoners of note were 14 rebels from 1916 Easter Rising, 7 of which signed the proclamation of independance of the Republic of Ireland. There were 4 eighteen-nineteen year old young men that revolted as Ireland was focused on fighting in World War I, that were executed in this prison (the exact spot is where there is a wood cross in my photographs) and when word spread on what happened this event was the catalyst for Ireland to fight and gain their liberty and freedom as a Republic in 1922.
Another interesting note is that Eamonn De Valeria, who was in there in 1920, was born in NYC so an American citizen. He was a rebel but not executed due to him being an American citizen. He went on to become President De Valera, President Of Ireland.
It was deeply impactful to sit in the prison Church Chapel where two inmates of Kilmainham Jail – JOSEPH PLUNKET and GRACE GIFFORD got married and were able to spend 10 minutes together supervised by guards, the day before JOSEPH PLUNKET was executed. I visited and took photos of Grace and Joseph’s cells from the outside. GRACE had a mural she painted of the Virgin Mary inside here cell that I tried to photograph through the cell door peep hole.
ROD STEWART sings a beautiful version of the song GRACE, written by The Dubliners, about this story of Joseph Plunket and Grace Gifford. Rod Stewart visited the jail before he recorded the song GRACE. Song Link: https://youtu.be/HQQ1LP5rCOM?is=N2FWVXx8bq45qjPa
Kilmainham Jail is singularly the most historic place in ireland. I am grateful that I was able to visit with my loved friend PAT BUTLER.
[billy lamont]
#kilmainham
