Recently, our Third Year and Fifth Year History students went on a history trip to Dublin to visit Kilmainham Gaol and the GPO. Their first stop was a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol. They visited the courthouse, which was founded in 1820, then went to the chapel where Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford got married. After that they were shown various different cells, cells created in the time of reform, the cells of famous prisoners such as Joseph Plunkett or Páidraig Pearse, cells given to wealthier prisoners (typically debtors) and also cells built in more recent history.
Before the final stop in the museum they were taken out into the Stonebreakers’ yard where the executions of those involved in the 1916 Easter Rising took place. Those being executed were blindfolded and would have to stand up against the wall to be shot. Some examples of these victims were Páidraig Pearse and Joseph Plunkett. James Connolly was so unwell from previous gun wounds he had to sit on a chair to be executed. Their final stop, the museum had very interesting artefacts from various people and various times.
Their second and final stop was The GPO. Before the tour they were able to see the bullet holes engraved in the pillars outside from the 1916 Easter Rising. These were intriguing to see in person. Inside the GPO they were given a tour about the events leading up to the Rising, the events that took place during it, the role the GPO had during the Rising and the roles and lives of the people involved and innocent civilians. There were artefacts and artwork displays that depicted the frightening events and the brave actions taken by the leaders of the Rising.