Kilmainham Gaol

You must be puzzled at what the title means. Honestly when I was leaving to visit this place enthusiasm in me was a little below nothing, but now after having being there I feel that I should have visited this place much earlier. I have a new sense of respect for the Irish, I feel more connected not only due to our flag appearing similar but also to the agony and struggle our forefathers faced. Listening to what the tour guide has to say actually struck a chord in me because India and Ireland both have undergone the same kind of history thanks to the "Empire". For hundreds of years Irish have strived to get a republic and finally when it was given in 1912 they did what they did to India; split the nation and hand it over so that peace will never remain. The loyalists and Unionists of Ireland do engage in constant conflicts.

Kilmainham is Ireland's oldest prison. Built in 1700's and closed down in 1912. It was reopened as a museum in 1962 by the then president of Ireland who was an inmate in the same prison.

In 1916 the Easter rising was a land mark event in Irish history where fighters occupied key buildings in city center which was nerve center for British control in Ireland. But they were subdued and many of the freedom fighters were sent to this Prison. Out of them fourteen of the leaders were executed. Everyone this death is the end of everything but i now believe it is the start. The news of the execution spread like wild fire which motivated every single Irish soul to fight for a free Republic.In 1922 the glorious day did arrive, the day the flag unfurled symbolizing the green unionist and the Orange Loyalist living in harmony with peace as pristine as White in between. Outside the prison in commemoration tot he 14 great souls of Ireland you can find an artists impressions with holes on the chest. Those 14 lives were taken by a firing squad!

This prison left its mark in 50 Hollywood movies and Ireland's own son Bono made an early video of his song 'celebration' here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TLkbrQBhaU

For More pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/badri.nair/KilmainhamGaol#