A chilling place to visit.
The Easter Rising of 1916 was pivotal to the eventual emergence of an independent Ireland. At the time support for independence was not strong, indeed many thousands of Irish men were wearing British army uniforms and fighting in the trenches of Europe. However the events surrounding the seizing of the General Post Office on Sackville Street and the response by the British authorities changed opinions.
The British army crushed the rebellion within a few days. Large areas of the centre of Dublin were obliterated by shelling and hundreds of innocent civilians were killed.
In the weeks following the Rising, hundreds of Republican sympathizes were arrested and imprisoned without a civil trial. The leaders of the Rising were doomed. Following court martials, several were executed by firing squad.
The deaths of Eamon Ceannt, James Connolly, Joseph Plunkett, John Macbride, Roger Casement and others had a profound impact on public opinion. Support for Irish independence grew.
Most of the executions took place in the Stonebreaker’s yard at Kilmainham Gaol.
If you want to feel the power of Irish history then visit Kilmainham Gaol and stand against the wall in the Stonebreaker’s yard.
You can also find out so much more about Irish history by joining one of the many walking tours of Dublin. I joined two of them and they were both excellent.
Gordon's Gubbins. 