We began the day with a tour of Kilmainham Gaol, one of the scariest places we have seen, mostly because the incarcerations and executions there are not in the distant past. It was where the organizers of the 1916 Rising were executed by a bullet to the heart (where the British Govt overplayed its hand, causing the rebellion to gain support and popularity). Kilmainham Gaol is also where the Irish patriot Robert Emmet spent his last night before being executed--hanged and then beheaded. The place holds some additional significance as being the last place in Ireland for many of the "convicts" transported to Australia. In some ways we are following a similar path (although we didn't do nothing, honest!).
Bear with the tough transition to...Trinity College for a look at The Book of Kells, an eighth-century illuminated manuscript of the four gospels and possibly the oldest book in the British Isles. It is magnificent.
Most of you are wondering, are the children enjoying themselves on these excursions? I mean, what 6-year-old doesn't love an ancient book, a walk through a university campus, and lectures on republicanism? Ok, I admit there might be some rebellion afoot.
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