Team Wadas: Day 6: Irish Freedom & The Dublin Cup (7/29/2016)

Our first full day in Dublin, Ireland started off immersed in the history of Ireland's independence. Our tour director, John Higgins, was absolutely fantastic in sharing the rich history of the areas we have visited. We had a really true treat in our coach driver, Mike, though. He was able to give us a bit more history and share the actual route those who fought for Ireland's freedom took when they retreated from the General Post Office.

Our first stop was the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin. The gardens are located on the Northern end of O'Connell street and is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the cause of Irish freedom. The site of the garden is where the Irish Volunteers were founded in 1913. It is also where several leaders of the 1916 were held before taken to Kilmainham Goal. The garden is a very somber site. The garden includes a sunken cross-shaped water feature which has a tiled bottom that appears to have golden shields and weapons at the bottom. This symbolizes a Celtic custom which is upon the conclusion of battle the weapons were broken and thrown in to the river. This action is to symbolize the end of hostilities. Above the sunken water feature is a beautiful statue of The Children of Lir, an Irish legend, which symbolizes rebirth and resurrection.

Garden of Remembrance - Dublin, Ireland

Tiled bottom of the sunken cross water feature symbolizing the broken weapons thrown in to the river ending hostilities.

Children of Lir Sculpture

The harp, which was symbolized in so many places, was everywhere within Dublin.

"We Saw a Vision" by Mac Uistin

The photo is the poem "We Saw a Vision" which was written on the walls of the garden by an Irish author, Mac Uistin. It reads:

"In the darkness of despair we saw a vision,

We lit the light of hope and it was not extinguished.

In the desert of of discouragement we saw a vision.

We planted the tree of valor and it blossomed.

In the winter of bondage we saw a vision.

We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it.

We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality.

Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance.

O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision."

After the garden we headed over to see the route that the rebels took in retreating from the General Post Office (GPO) in 1916.

The route is lined by tiles of lilies. These can be found on the walls of buildings.

Along the route is a plaque with a copy of a letter written by a dying revolutionary to his wife. The O'Rahilly took the letter from his son out of his pocket and wrote a letter to his wife on the back in pencil.

The letter reads...

Written after I was shot - Darling Nancy, I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street took refuge in a doorway. While I was there I heard the men pointing out where I was & I made a bolt for the lane I am in now. I got more [than] one bullet I think
Tons and tons of love dearie to you & to the boys & to Nell & Anna. It was a good fight anyhow.
Please deliver this to Nannie O'Rahilly, 40 Herbert Park, Dublin.
Good bye Darling.

Prior to all of this fighting the Irish Proclamation was read on the steps of the General Post Office on Easter Sunday on April 24th, 1916. The Proclamation is the only declaration of independence where a country calls out equality for men and women.

Lego display of the GPO during the rising.

We took a walk over the O'Connell bridge on our way to the coach to head over to the first match of the Dublin Cup.

Before hopping on the coach, we took a quick walk over to statue of Molly Malone.

GAME TIME!

Around lunch time we headed over to the AUL Complex for the team's first match in the Dublin Cup.

Brad exiting the coach before their 1st match

The pitch (field) was beautiful - especially compared to some of the fields we have played on in Texas!

The first match we played an Irish team named Palmerstown FC. It was an exciting game. The boys started off really strong. Unfortunately, about a third of the way through the first half one of our boys was fouled after the ref stopped play. A player from Palmerstown pushed and kicked one of our players after he fell down. The boy was red carded and sent off the pitch. Our boys never really got their fire back after the drama. Because we had multiple keepers, Brad started and played the first half. He had a strong game and made some great saves. We ended up in a 0-0 draw against Palmerstown when all was said and done.