After standing on the ground that the 1916 risers were executed on, and then looking up at the flag...the flag that they were fighting for, it was really emotional. Ireland exists as it is today because of what those men started--they gave up their lives so that the Irish people could rule their own country. When the rising occurred most of the Irish people despised the risers. They thought that they were taking to drastic measures when they were not needed. Dublin was almost destroyed after the several days of fighting that took place after Easter Monday. The leaders of the rebellion surrendered only so that no more people would have to die. As they were brought through the streets people were spitting and throwing rocks at them. However, after they were executed the attitude of the people changed. The executions ignited a fire in the people and was the one of the catalysts that brought about the changes that were about to take place. Charles Parnell was so badly injured from the fighting when he was brought to be executed that he had to be strapped to a chair...the whole thing is just horrendous.
So being able to go to the place that holds so much Irish history was really important to me, and it was definitely a memorable experience.
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