Early morning on the 31st March, we set off from school on our history trip to Dublin. Spirits were high as we arrived at the first stop on our itinerary, Glasnevin Cemetery. We met our guide, who escorted us around the graves, enlightening us with his knowledge. We were shown the resting places of numerous key figures we have come across in our studies of Ireland 1900 – 1925, including Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins and Countess Markievicz. Glasnevin Cemetery was a brilliant experience and well worth the visit. Even in their death we saw how pro-treaty republicans were separated from anti-treaty figures. In total, 1.5 million have been laid to rest there.
The next stop was the General Post Office (GPO) in the city centre. This building was significant as the IRB headquarters during the 1916 Easter Rising. We were given an engaging, interactive tour with fresh information not included in our course. After a quick pit stop for lunch on O’Connell Street, we were back on the road to our last destination – Kilmainham Gaol. Our very enthusiastic tour guide, Adam, led us around the jail, beginning at the courthouse. He informed us of many key figures who’d been held there, including many involved in the Easter Rising and the dreadful conditions they experienced. Viewing the small, dim jail cells was truly eye-opening. The temperature in most of the cells was colder than outside. Learning of the many, many children who’d been detained there over the years was particularly emotional, most arrested for begging during the famine years. Our guide was able to share emotional stories of political individuals such as Joseph Plunkett who got married to his wife Grace in the prison chapel, only a few hours before he was taken to be executed in the courtyard.
On the site of the jail there is also a museum filled with artefacts which we were able to observe, including handwritten letters from inmates. This added to the experience and to our history course, a human element to the political events of Ireland before partition. Another highlight of the day was discovering that the central part of the jail was used as the prison in Paddington 2!
We had a fantastic day in Dublin, learned so many new things and would recommend to anyone!
By Olivia W and Lucy S
