Week number five in Dublin started out like any other with our weekly class held by Professor Wilck, followed by a trip in the afternoon. This week’s trip was to Kilmainham Gaol, an old prison turned museum found within Dublin. The prison is most famously known for holding high-ranking Irish political activists who were opposed to British rule. On the tour of the prison, the guide tells a story of the only escape from Kilmainham Gaol, in which one prisoner Patrick Moran stays behind. He does this because he believes that he would be found innocent in court, but ultimately is found guilty. This experience really opened my perspective on some of the persecution the Irish faced under British rule.
On Thursday evening we went to the Irish House Party. This was essentially a three-course meal in a hotel restaurant, followed by a show performed in a separate theatre-like room. The show had four performers who each played a unique instrument, this allowed the performers to play an array of different songs that had distinct sounds. Along with playing an instrument, one of the performers was also a step dancer who could dance to the beat of a song or to no music at all. This whole experience gave me insight into the performing arts and musical background of Irish culture.
This weekend we were responsible for getting to our excursion on our own since it was within Dublin. Unfortunately, this weekend was the Taylor Swift concert and the Pride Parade in Dublin, which made trying to get around the city a nightmare during the day. Somewhere it normally took me ten minutes to travel to in the morning took over thirty on the weekend. Ultimately, we were able to make it to the Gaelic Games, our excursion, only a few minutes later than we were supposed to be there. The first game that we were introduced to was hurling. The game is played with a wooden hurl or stick and a rubber-like ball, where the two teams attempt to score in the opposing team’s goal by hitting the ball with the hurl in the air or on the ground. In my opinion, the game is essentially just a combination of lacrosse and field hockey. The second game we were introduced to was Gaelic football. The game is played with a ball similar to a volleyball, the objective of the game is similar to hurling, except you are just trying to kick the ball into the goal with your foot. The game is a simple combination of soccer and handball.
Week five in Dublin was filled with historical exploration, cultural immersion, and sports. Our visit to Kilmainham Gaol provided a unique view into Ireland’s troubled past, highlighting the resilience of Irish political activists like those from the Easter Rising. The Irish House Party further explored the country’s vibrant musical and performing arts traditions, by showcasing the talents of its artists. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing city events, our weekend excursion to the Gaelic Games offered an intro to Ireland’s traditional sports, blending elements of different sports.
