Every Stone one lifts by day
becomes ones heart by night
In 1798 the rebellions of Ireland began. Unsuccesful attempt after unsuccessful attempt to emancipate themselves from british rule sent many of their tyrannic political leaders to the Kilmainham gail.
built of stone
limited warmth, food, and light
disease was rampant, especially during the great famine in the 1840s and 50s when overcrowding the the jail became an issue because food was provided to prisoners.
However, in the early 1800s the second wing was built with modern ideas and design.
the prisoners only exercise used to be walking in a circles outdoors once a day for about half an hour.
with the new design of the prison, and the 1860s theory of the silent association system to "cure" the badness in imprisoned individuals, men were assigned the hard labor of smashing rocks by day, and women cooking and laundering. everyone was returned to individual cells at night where they could pray and repent, alone, in silence.
the building is designed (by John Howard) with the kitchen and laundry room below the main room, which has large holes for heat to raise up into the cells, as well as a pulley system to lift food and linens directly to your cell where you should be praying.
it is round, so one guard can stand in the middle and see every cell by just turning around. the guard can also hear if anyone is not respecting the silent rule due to the fabulous acoustics of the domed roof.
the domed roof is also open. this is to let the light of god spill over the prisoners, but, this also kept them much healthier because they were exposed to vitamin d.
many political prisoners were imprisoned there. men and women. and 14 famous individuals were executed. martyrs.
writers
educators
scientists
activists
their stories are real. they are my friends that sat in the occupy movement. executed
they are my ex-patriot self. excommunicated.
from 1916-1924
when america was flappin the charleston, the prison was filled with ONLY political prisoners
Patrick Pearse carved into the wall of the prison
Beware of the risen people
that have harried and held
ye that have bullied and bribed
more here:
http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/53064-ireland-dublin-kilmainham-jail-museum/
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