So much history, so many stories of the fight for independence. We learned the story of this amazing lady during our visit to the Kilmainham Gaol. And after visiting my Dads Aunt Liz’s grave and reading her obituary it gives me more reason to learn more. I just loaded her life story on my kindle. Looking forward to reading about the powerful women of the Easter Rising. I might need to do some rising of my own when I return to the 🇺🇸
Constance Georgine Markievicz
A founding member of Fianna Éireann, and the Irish Citizen Army, she took part in the Easter Rising in 1916, when Irish republicans attempted to end British rule and establish an Irish Republic. She was sentenced to death but her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on the grounds of her sex. On 28 December 1918, at the 1918 general election, she was the first woman elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, though, being in Holloway Prison at the time and in accordance with party policy, she did not take her seat. Instead, she and the other Sinn Féin MPs (as TDs) formed the first Dáil Éireann. She was also one of the first women in the world to hold a cabinet position, as Minister for Labour, from 1919 to 1922.
Markievicz supported the anti-Treaty stance in the Irish Civil War. She continued as an (abstentionist) Dáil member for Sinn Féin until 1926 when she became a founding member of Fianna Fáil. She died in 1927.
We didn’t walk far along the River Liffey when we came upon this tribute to the Famine, such a dark time, so much suffering, so much heartache and so much loss.
The famine of 1845 – 1852 caused millions to die and millions to leave their homeland. The stories and sadness will break your heart but also the stories of the horrible treatment by the British Empire that did nothing to help and everything to hurt the people of Ireland.
The cruelty and hatred in the world’s history is heartbreaking but also history that needs to be told. Ignoring it and whitewashing it, is wrong on every level of human decency and respect to those that experienced it and those that suffered and those that perished because of it. We must learn from our mistakes is much easier said than done…sadly!!
As we walked further we saw the EPIC – Irish Emmigration Museum.
You won’t find leprechauns or pots of gold here, but you will discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world. Discover Ireland from the outside in and find out why saying “I’m Irish” is one of the biggest conversation starters, no matter where you are from.
I love being here. When asked or given the opportunity to say my grandparents immigrated from Ireland. I always get a “welcome home.” It warms my heart 💚🤍🧡
At the heart of Ireland’s story is the movement of our people. The Irish identity has been shaped by migration. People left and still leave our island for many reasons, some pushed by circumstances at home, others pulled by opportunities abroad. Many emigrant stories are linked by common motivations and shared experiences.
Today, these emigrants and their descendants number over 70 million people, in all four corners of the globe.
The EPIC museum was established by the CEO of the Coca-Cola Company. He was proud of his Irish roots and decided to build this museum. It was the first time we were told if we didn’t finished or wanted to come back our ticket would allow reentry. What a concept.
It was our chance to get hands-on with Irish culture and its past with our fully interactive museum – swipe through video galleries, challenge yourself with motion sensor quizzes, dance in the footsteps of legends, listen to remastered audio from 100 years ago and watch videos that bring Irish history to life. We discovered the far reaching influence of Irish history and the impact that the 10 million Irish men and women who left Ireland had on the world.
And did you know Ireland was the first country in the whole wide world to pass marriage equality in 2015. 🌈
And to think this is being threatened in the 🇺🇸. So much in our world is angry and hateful. Haven’t we all had enough of that??? ENOUGH
We enjoyed the Irish history, the music, dancing, actors, poets, writers, advances made in medicine, saw their deep belief in the strength of education and belief in Christ and doing good around the world.
It wasn’t always easy or perfect in Ireland. Its’ had its wars and trouble and dark times. But there is so much to be proud of and I am proud of my Irish heritage and love my home away from home 🇮🇪
We saw decedents of Irish grandparent’s speak via videos, US Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, Obama & Biden. They spoke of peace and unity and the importance of immigration.
We saw the Queen of England when she visited Ireland, the first for a British Queen in over 100 years. She welcomed the crowd in the Irish language, surprising all.
Never pass up a photo opportunity
It was a fabulous museum. I wish I could sit with my grandmothers and hear more about their stories, their journeys and everything about their experiences. Sadly my Mom & Dad never spoke much about their parents and I was a kid when my grandmothers passed away. I never met my grandfathers. So I left thinking about the missing pieces and missing people in my life, and am a little sad about that.
Alas, we’re going to enjoy our last few days in Ireland hanging in Dublin after spending fabulous time with our cousins. It’s back to just us and we’re winding down JEllens adventures. We can’t believe it 😢
No feeling blue, Kermit wanted to stop for a grande coffee and it’s FIKA time.
