Cill Mhaigneann / Páirc na Fionn Uisce 03/05/14

Bhí turas againn go Chill Mhaighneann ag an deireadh seachtaine. Tá an príosún sáite i stair agus é oscáilte ó bhí na 1796 ann gur druideadh na doirse i 1924. Bhí bunús na pearsantachtaí móra i rith an tréimshe sin i ngéibheann ann am éigin idir Robert Emmett, Parnell, ceannairí Éirí Amach na Cásca agus mná as Cumann na mBan lena n-áirítear Grace Gifford agusCountess Marcowitz.

                Bhí turas treoraithe againn thart ar an phríosún agus bhí sé an spéisiálta ach an bhrónach agus muid ag tabhairt cuairt ar “The Rock Breakers Yard,” an áit a rinneadh na basú lena n-airítear ceathrar déag na Cásca. Deirfinn go bhfuil sé brónach ar lá ar bith a tugtar cuairt ar an áit ach go háirithe de bharr gur comóradh báis de chuid MacPiarais, Ó’Cléirigh agus MacDonnacadha a bhí ann – 98 bliain!

                Tar éis an turais threoraithe, chuaigh muid thart ar an iarsmalann agus rinne muid ár mbealach go Páirc na Fionn Uisce ina dhiaidh sin. Threoraigh Matt turas deas thart na páirce sular bhuail muid isteach go “The Hole in the Wall” do ghreim bia sula pilleadh go Bhéal Feirste. Lá den scoith a bhí ann agus bhí breis is 30 Feirsteach ag pilleadh na bhaile breá sásta.

                Ár mbuíochas le ghach duine a bhí ann, cur sibh go mór leis an lá! Buíochas speisiálta le hOrla agus ár saineolaí eolais Matt.

We had a trip to Kilmainham gaol at the weekend. The gaol is steeped in history; it opened in the 1796 and didn’t close its doors until 1924. A lot of the big names of that era spent team in prison there between Emmett, Parnell, leaders of the Easter rising as well as Cumann na mBan members including Grace Gifford and Countess Marcowitz.

                At first, we had a guided tour around the prison which was a special experience but very poignant, especially when we visited “The Rock Breakers Yard,” where executions were carried out including those of the fourteen at Easter 1916. I’d assume that it would be sad on any given day you visited, however it was especially sad as we visited on the anniversary of the executions of Pearse, Clarke and McDonagh – 98 years!

                After, the guided tour, we had a nosy in and around the museum before making our way to Phoenix Park. Matt provided us with a lovely tour of the park before we headed off to the “The Hole in the Wall” for a bite to eat before returning to Belfast. Needless to say, more than 30 Belfast natives returned home happy campers.

                Thanks to everyone who took part, you made it a great trip! A special thanks to Orla and our resident knowledge expert Matt.