Gr8at: Kilmainham Gaol

These are some of my favourite shots from my recent trip to Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. First built in 1796, it was known for its dreadful conditions. There was no segregation of prisoners by gender or age, there were often five adults or children in 28 square metres cells with little light or warmth. It is most famous for imprisoning activists from the Easter Rising in 1916, when Irish republicans tried to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic. Have you ever been? Are you much familiar with the history of Ireland and how it became segregated?

Advertisement

Travel/Photography: Kilmainham Gaol

Taken at the Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. The place has a notorious history as many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed here.

Travel/Photography: Colourful Ivy

This was the façade of one of the restaurants when I was in Dublin. I really liked how the colourful ivy changes an ordinary wall into something so eye-catching.

Gr8at: Memorable figures from the Wax Museum

I had planned on doing a wider description of Dublin’s Wax Museum, especially after I previously did an introductory style piece. But although the museum includes information about Irish history, its politics and its many famous writers, it will always be a very visual place and so my post will focus on that too. Below are a mix of musicians and very fictional entertaining characters, including the fifth James Bond, a boy wizard, the King of Pop and a very hairy Wolfman. How good do you think they are?

Things to See: Guinness Storehouse

Guinness is one of Ireland’s most famous and long-standing exports, brewed in almost 60 countries and available in over 120 countries. No surprise then, that the Guinness Storehouse, filled with history of how “dark stuff”, is Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. There was no way I was going to Dublin without seeing it.

Travel/Photography: Guinness Storehouse

I went to the Guinness Storehouse when in Dublin, where they explain the whole process of how they make their unique drink. This was taken on the ground floor.

Gr8at: National Wax Museum (now with answers)

I’m back from the wedding in Dublin and can tell you that everything I’d heard about the charm of the Irish was true. Everyone I met and spoke to was warm, kind and friendly and added to the wonderful time I had at the wedding. I’ll be putting up loads of posts soon on the places I visited, but looking through all the photos I realised how many I had taken at the National Wax Museum. Before I write up my description of it, I thought I’d test you to see how many of these eight waxworks you can guess. I’ll put the answers up tomorrow so feel free to make your suggestions below. As a final note, a reminder that not all of the famous people are Irish, and are a mix of artists, sports stars, writers and film characters.

Film Quizzes – Ireland

I’m off to Dublin for a few days to go to a friend’s wedding. I’ve never been to Ireland before so really looking forward to seeing more of the Emerald Isle. I’ll be making sure I take loads of photographs and seeing the local sites while I’m there. I also thought a themed quiz would be nice. Have you been to Ireland? Are there any other Irish films you really like?

 (1940s)

 (1950s)

 (1970s)

 (1970s)

 (1990s)

 (2010 +)

Answers below