Day 6 - Dublin Bound!
Trip Start
Sep 09, 2012
1
7
31
Trip End
Nov 24, 2012
Where I stayed
Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Upon arrival into Dublin, we checked into our accommodation then headed into the city and saw Kilmainham Gaol, which was more interesting than most jails. Many of those kept there were victims of poverty and desperation, or political prisoners. In the mid to late 1800's, many were jailed including women and children for crimes of poverty as the potato blight and other economic pressures drove many to desperate acts and begging (which was also a crime at this time). The youngest prisoner recorded at this jail was a 5 year old boy who was jailed for stealing a necklace.:(
That night we enjoyed a evening of story telling, folklore, music and food at the oldest pub in Dublin, The Brazen Head. We shared a table with English, Americans and Canadians who were great company. We learned about the history of ordinary Irish folk - the suffering during the potato blight/famine and the effects of emigration. We enjoyed hearing about the Faerys, folklore told to young children to explain life and instill a healthy fear of wrongdoing. These stories gave children a moral compass and discipline.
