Kilmainham Gaol and Arbor Hill Memorial

Last week we traveled to Kilmainham Gaol and Arbor Hill Memorial. Both have significance in relation to Irish revolution, in particular the Easter Rising.

Kilmainham Gaol (jail) is one of the largest, unoccupied jails in Europe. It was founded in 1796, around the time the United Irish Men was forming. The biggest uprising in Irish history occurred in 1798 and fifty- thousand of the men involved were taken prisoner, many of them were sent to Kilmainham. The most significant prisoners were those held there after the events of Easter rising. The prisoners were given unannounced executions in the windowless courtyard. They were not given a proper trial and their deaths inspired a fire in the Irish Nationalist movement.

Life in the jail was purposefully unpleasant so that no one would deliberately be put there to escape life that might be worse outside the jail. The jail was run with the principles of the Three S’s: Silence, Separation, and Supervision. The prisoners were given a blanket, a bible, and a set of clothes upon arrival. Their cells held a single plank bed and a bucket for a toilet. They were made to be silent and they spent 23 hours a day in their cells. They were given two meager meals a day and at times the jail was so over crowed that prisoners couldn’t even sleep in their cells for lack of room.  Men and women were kept in separate wings and there was different treatment for poor prisoners and wealthy prisoners. Most notable was Charles Parnell, the most powerful man to ever be jailed at Kilmainham. He was given a large room as his quarters that he was allowed to furnish himself. He also had the privileged of coming and going to the jail as he pleased.

Public hanging were the preferred form of execution at the jail until they were outlawed, at which point they were done privately. The last man to be hanged there was Joseph Heffernon, who was executed for a murder that he didn’t commit.  Robert Emitt was also executed at Kilmainham. He is most remembered for the speech he gave at his trial that has influenced many historical figures including Abraham Lincoln. 

Today the jail has been restored and now stands as a memorial to those executed and it also houses a museum to educate the public about the conditions and importance of the site.

Our group was very touched at this site because the reality of the suffering and historical significance was palpable as we toured through the cells and dark corridors. Kayleigh found the whole experience very emotional. Max was fascinated by the museum where he got to read the proclamation and learn about the introduction of mug shots and criminal accountability. Deanna had fun creeping with security camera activity in the museum. Whitney and Elyse enjoyed the Last Word exhibit where the final letters of those executed are displayed. Jennie was touched by the tour guide’s prompting us to remember and pray for those executed at the jail.  Overall, our experience at Kilmainham Gaol was a touching and fascinating time that we will not soon forget.

After our visit to Kilmainham, we went to the Arbor Hill Memorial, which is a military cemetery that is the last resting place of 14 of the most important leaders of Easter Rising, including: Patrick Pearse, James Conolly, Joseph Plunkett, Edward Daley, Tom Clark, and John McBride. These men were originally placed in a mass grave, but it has since been made into a beautiful memorial for them. Present at the memorial is the proclamation written in both Irish and English for all the read and remember.  JFK even took time on his state visit to come to the memorial and place a wreath in remembrance of the revolutionaries.

We didn’t spend very much time at this site, but we all felt the deep significance of it. Whitney thought that the memorial was touching and fitting for the men buried here. Max and Jennie enjoyed getting to see and read the proclamation.

Arbor Hill Memorial is the resting place of many significant Irish figures and it is a touching tribute to their lives and deeds.