I am determined to finish this day's entry before starting Day 7, so I am up extra early. Lots to do this morning before we hit the road. Is this "thing" getting too long to read? I could go on and on about everything we are seeing here on the Emerald Isle! I always write a journal when we travel, (remember boys when you teased me so about writing the one when we went to California?) and usually do not fill up a book. This time I may have to buy a second book, and I am not even writing in complete sentences!!
to finish from yesterday....
After St. Patrick's we ate the best lunch I've had at the Bulls and Castle pub. I had the MOST delicious BLT. Phil got "wanting Irish stew" out of his system--if you know what I mean! The pub was recommended by our bus driver. Directions were too confusing, so he detoured the entire bus to drop us off because, "We've got 2 people here that are starving, and I must feed them!" See how hospitable these Irish are? I don't think a bus driver in the US would dare leave his route for 2 hungry tourists! On now to Kilmainham Goal, or the Jail, first opened in 1796 as a county jail. I had been told by others here that this was a "must see". Not so sure, or maybe I was just pooped by now! Did get an excellent history lesson here about the Famine and also about the Easter Rebellion of 1916 which was the foundation of the Irish fight for Independence in 1922. About 200,000 people, EVEN children went through this jail with about 15% being political prisoners. During the famine you could see entry after entry of women and children who spent a week or more in jail for stealing bread.
We first toured the old, original part of the jail. Horrifying it was. 23 hours of isolation in a tiny cell. No glass on the windows or heating of any kind in the place, so in the cold and rain it must have been miserable! Then 1hour out to walk in a circle, head down, hands either in your pockets or clasped in front of you. During the famine they would house up to 3,500 prisoners at a time, often as many as 7 in a tiny cell. Often they must remain in that cell for more than 3 days, with only a bucket or 2 for toilet facilities. Can you imagine the filth? But, some would commit offenses to get into the jail to at least have some meager rations, better than nothing! Just walking through the halls gave me the chills! We stood where the 16 leaders of the Easter Rebellion were executed by firing squad.Upon leaving the jail we rode our beloved Emerald Isle bus down to O'Connell Street for photos of the Millennium Spire, offically named the Monument of Light---unofficially named by the Irish, "The Shaft for the Daft", the "Stiletto for the Ghetto", or the "Rod to God" and a few more I can't mention. The shiny piece of metal rises 390 feet straight up! Looks a tiny bit out of place to me among all the old beautiful architecture. What do you think?
After getting my photo of the Spire, we walked down some side streets, doing some shopping, and just enjoying a beautiful day among the Irish!
Now I am caught up for Day 6 and time to get ready for Day 7! Our rent car arrives at 10:00 so I must repack, and prepare to be navigator to a crazy man! We are driving south to Kilkenney to see Kilkenney Castle and then on to Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel and then on to Cork where we will spend the night. Supposed to have internet service there, so keep the fingers crossed that I can post tonight.
More and more in love with the Emerald Isle every day!...d
No comments:
Post a Comment