Today was very special because I never thought we would have time to se any part of Northern Ireland. We set out for Dublin, which was about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) away. We drove on better and wider roads and ate on the way, buying lunch at gas stations.
Can you believe that Brenda set out to find a Harley Davidson store and actually found one? She bought John a gift there. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
We arrived at one of the prisons that Eamon De Valera was taken to after the Easter Uprising of 1916. Even though he was spared the execution that the other 13 commanders suffered, he was subject to this very primitive, severe prison. Originally, the cells in this prison (at the time of famine), were about 6x9 feet. There was no heat, no lighting; there was only a peephole in the door of the cell. After the famine, people committed crimes to get sent there so they could get a meal.
Sometimes men, women, and children were all kept in the same cell designed for only one person. The guide told us that prisoners were given a 3” narrow candle that had to last them two weeks. The walls were made of porous rock, as the dampness and moisture always permeated the cells.
We saw another area that had a main yard with three stories of cells. It was there on the second landing that we saw De Valera’s cell. At this time, because of his great leadership and position, they had his name above it. Later, after becoming a math professor, head of the League of Nations, Prime Minister, and later President of Ireland, he came back and dedicated the restoration of the prison. He re-entered his old cell on this occasion.
We also saw the exercise yard where the prisoners were able to get some air and sunshine. They had to walk in shackles one behind another in silence, heads bent, and eyes on the heels of the man in front of them.
We also saw the area where the thirteen commanders of the Easter Uprising were shot. The flag of the Irish Free State was proudly displayed. The firing squad that killed the patriots never knew which shot killed the prisoner, because there was always one blank in each volley.
This is the time I most regretted not having my camcorder. I would have liked to have a recording of our guided tour and share it with my family. I would have liked more information and pamphlets, but they were limited.
We did see machines of torture, menus of meals served, personal effects of money, patriots killed, uniforms…etc.
This was our final day in Ireland. We really covered a tremendous amount of territory and sights in such a short amount of time, but we did it proud thanks to Brenda’s planning and research. She did an absolutely beautiful job.
When we left Dublin we proceeded back to Bunratty Castle. We saw the castle the first day, but this time we came back at night for a medieval festival. We were ushered into the main hall where we were given stoneware cups of mead, which was delicious. Brenda and I were also offered cubed bread with salt to ward off the evil spirits of the castle. I thought they had said “sauce,” so I took quite a bit— ugh.
The attendants were all dressed in medieval garb and were very festive. They circled the hall and greeted everyone. They were accompanied by beautiful music from a violinist and harpist. They chose a newlywed couple to portray the Earl and his wife and they sat at the head table. The rest of us sat at the extremely long table with benches.
We were first served a thick soup in earthenware bowls without spoons— only bread to soak it up with. It was very good. Next we had pork and a huge platter of vegetables. This time we had a dagger. Finally a raspberry dessert of some kind, almost like a pudding (also mead).
The meal was delicious and the performance of songs by the musicians was excellent. At the end of a perfect night we were ushered out of the castle by a piper below.
It seemed like a dream, and a beautiful memory of our last night in the Emerald Isle.
Tomorrow we would be leaving for home, so we went back to the hotel and packed our things. What memories we had.
I hope, by writing this journal, to share a few of our precious moments with you, family and friends.
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