Kilmainham Gaol

Today we went to the Kilmainham Gaol.

It was a great opportunity to delve into the history of Ireland and their quest for independence from British rule. 

Unlike the United States declaration of Independence, anyone who signed the freedom proclamation was executed.

As Jan explained, if people rebelled and lost they were considered anarchists.

If people rebelled, and won they were renamed patriots.

I never thought about that before but our perception of history is heavily influenced by the outcome of the battle.

The tour guide was an engaging public speaker and kept our interest with the tragic love story of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford. Joseph Plunkett was a member of the 1916 Easter Rising rebellion who was captured and executed on May 4, 1916 (at age 28).

The night before his execution, the government allowed Joseph to exchange wedding vows with his betrothed Grace Gifford. Later in the night they gave the couple ten minutes as a farewell. They were forbidden from touching one another and spent the entire time in silence. 

What a tragic love story.

Here is the jail cell for Grace Gifford - she was sent to jail seven years after Joseph's capture for her own plans of rebellion against the government. Even though they refused her to touch her husband before his execution, they allowed her water colors to paint her cell.

She painted Mary and baby Jesus.

The day concluded with a group dinner by Temple Bar. It was one of the most delicious meals I have had in awhile. I had seafood chowder and lamb stew (soup is one of my favorite meals).

I am looking forward to tomorrow's trip to Trinity College. Apparently the library scene in Harry Potter was filmed here.