So, today was spent touring in Dublin. The Guinness family did a wonderful service to the country and the world in creating their product. To support the local economy, we have purchased a few of the Guinness products this week.
Jenny and I have tried to integrate into the Dublin community, and the best way to do that is through the local pubs....
But, between pubs, we visited the Dublin jail and took a tour. What an emotional visit - learning about the Irish quest for independence from the British. Struggle after struggle ensued during the 1800's and early 1900's and all were squelched by the British and those responsible for the rebellions were executed at Kilmainham prison. In total, 14 men were executed here through the early 1900's. Very sad. Death by hanging (some on the two-foot rope, which was reserved for the political prisoners) or firing squad. The rebellion of 1916 finally found a stronghold for the Irish and in the mid-1920's they were able to sign a treaty with the British for independence (economic, not complete political independence). It was not until the 1940's that the rest of the world took the Republic of Ireland seriously as a country.
Kilmainham was eventually closed, but the memories of the struggles with the British are still very much alive in Ireland. And, in the "north" there are still six counties under formal British rule (including Belfast) where the Irish still hold UK passports.
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