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The Beautiful Grounds of the Museum
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Yesterday's group visited the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail). It is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe. it was involved in some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's history and its emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Over the 128 years it served as a prison, its cells held many of the most famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence.
Children were sometimes arrested for petty theft and held in the prison, the youngest said to be a seven year-old boy. Many of the adult prisoners were eventually deported to Australia after their stay. Men, women and children were imprisoned together, up to 5 in each cell, often with only a single candle for light and heat. Most of their time was spent in the cold and the dark as each candle had to last the prisoner for two weeks.
Kilmainham Gaol was closed as a prison in 1924, by the government of the new Irish Free State. Following lengthy renovation, Kilmainham Gaol now hosts a museum on the history of Irish nationalism and offers guided tours of the building. ( http://www.tourist-information-dublin.co.uk/). Students had the afternoon to tour the Gaol, ask questions and learn about the life during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The second group today visited the Irish Museum of Modern Art. It is known for its leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The Museum presents a wide variety of art and artists in the country. The students had the afternoon to explore the beautiful grounds of the Museum and enjoy the beautiful sunshine in Dublin.
After a busy afternoon of exploring, we had dinner at the Thunder Road Cafe and went to Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin! Words can not do justice to this spectacular show. The dancing, music and acting was incredible. It was a magical two hours in the Gaiety theatre. (Due to copyright, no photos or video were taken. See http://www.riverdance.com/ "The Journey" - this is the one we went to!)
Petty theft, modern art, imprisonment, delicious food, and Irish culture, Riverdance...
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| Mastering the Dublin Transportation |
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| The Entrance of Irish Museum of Modern Art |
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| Fish Eye View with Ben! |
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| Relaxing Before Dinner |
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| Inside the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin |
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| RIVERDANCE! |
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| Models of Dublin |
