Dublin, Ireland
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””
John 13:34-35 NKJV
Going back in history we learned that Queen Victoria of England of conquered and deeply disdained the Irish forbidding harps and the playing of harps in order to erase their culture. The English were brutal to the Irish. They called the island their “plantation” using it for growing crops and enslaving the people to work the fields. During the time of the “potato famine”, they did not share the crops with the enslaved locals who tended them instead they allowed the Irish only to have potatoes which were no good.
In 1916 Ireland declared its independence. This is a point in time they relish to this day. In 2016 they celebrated 100 years since their declaration and during that special point in time every day at 11am for 2 weeks they closed the city streets and the people gathered in the town square in silence watching as 2 brave soldiers marched out of general post office as they did on that faithful day in 1916. This declaration began a season of war for the Irish. In 1920 British soldiers suddenly raided a soccer match and started shooting people at random. The event came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.” When the British caught rebellion leaders they would execute only 1 per day each day at 6am. One of the leaders had a wounded, damaged leg, but the doctors deemed him fit to stand trail so he was tied to a chair and shot on the day of his execution.
There is an emblem marking the crest of the parliament building and also seen in other places like the castle chapel depicting a lion representing England and a unicorn representing Scotland (another nation conquered by England) The unicorn was considered the only creature that could beat a lion, and it is depicted in chains. Our guide expressed to us that the Irish still hope today that soon those chains will be removed.
An interesting side note is that Liam Nisan was a forklift driver in Guinness before he became an actor. There is a live portal in the heart of Dublin that reveals people in Times Square, New York City. We waved and even played rock, paper, scissors with those standing on the other side. (I’ve included a photo)
The Irish absolutely adore America and Americans. No matter who you are as an American in Ireland you will be welcomed with compassion and love. This sentiment was passionately expressed to us by our guide.
Together we enjoyed an amazing lunch in a local pub and, feeling strongly compelled by the Spirit, I quickly excused myself to the ladies room where I threw my hands up and worshipped God, forever marking that place for His Kingdom. I thought of the churches we toured filled with images depicting Jesus and His life. They know an old version of Him and some of the things He did then but so many do not know that He is alive today and doing even greater things in our lifetime!
