Easter Reprising in Dublin

And because of the weekend that’s in it we pause for an Easter Reprising in Dublin.

Dubliners will walk like they do daily today by the Daniel O’Connell statue.

On the city’s most famous street, named for the Liberator and still with the bullets embedded from 1916.

And pass with a nod of the head or polite meaningless words.

Many, like the Irish-born picture editor I worked with who didn’t know the names of the Easter 1916 rebels.

But who could rattle off the Manchester United team.

The ideal guides

Like many of our cities around the world.

The knowledge and enthusiasm for those who did great deeds on our streets is kept alive by tour guides.

As ever we rely on ourselves and the recommendations of Visit Dublin for the best Easter 1916 tour to take.

And that would be The 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour.

Led since 1996, on the 80th anniversary by Lorcan Collins, author of The Easter Rising and of James Connolly.

Of course no historical event is ever in a vacuum and Lorcan and his colleagues will walk you through the years from 1798.

Dwelling on the Dublin of 1916 and right up to today.

You’ll meet at the International Bar on Wicklow Street, off Grafton Street, 11.30am Mondays to Saturdays and 1pm on Sundays.

The tour costs €23pp and €14 for children 8-16 and free for under-8s and is a gentle two hours.

Stamp of approval

You’ll visit arguably the most significant working post office in the world.

The GPO (General Post Office) in the centre of O’Connell Street where Padraig Pearce made the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

Dublin Castle, the headquarters of British rule where the first casualty of the rising fell.

Gaolhouse rock

Kilmainham Gaol where the leaders were executed.

And fellow Scot James Connolly was gunned down strapped to his chair with a gangrenous leg.

Film buffs will recognise the prison too from the opening scene of The Italian Job and In The Name Of The Father.

And the Custom House, central to the Civil War, among other landmarks.

Footsteps of legends

In truth, evidence of the Easter Rising is all around you on the streets of Dublin.

And in my 13 years an Irishman, living, working and influencing the direction of the country I love.

The nation of my Dear Old Mum and my Dad’s people.

And for my erstwhile colleague who doesn’t appreciate the sacrifices whose deaths allowed him to be a free Irishman.

Words of history

I write it out in verse.

MacDonagh and MacBride   

And Connolly and Pearse

Now and in time to be,

Wherever green is worn,

Are changed, changed utterly:   

A terrible beauty is born.

And more of this and much besides in your Easter Reprising in Dublin.