Ties that bind, issues that divide

Today I visited a jail, called Kilmainham Gaol, that housed thousands of Irish prisoners over its 128 years in commission, and was a site of critical events in Ireland's fight for Independence.

Kilmainham Gaol was a prison built in 1796, and featured a new style of detainment. Past jails were generally housed all of the convicted in one or a few rooms, but the extensive fighting and deplorable conditions often led to the ex-cons leaving worse than they’d arrived. Instead, the new style of jail was designed to reform the convicted through silence, separation, and supervision. One cell was to contain one person who silently pondered their misdeeds for 22 hours per day. The “supervision” part was achieved physically and psychologically; cells were arranged in a panopticon style where the guard could readily see into each cell (and even sneak up on them via carpet-quieted footsteps). This jail was used from 1796 until 1924, including imprisonment of the destitute during the 1840s Great Famine, who committed crimes so they could enjoy the guaranteed food and shelter of jail.

Eye-like carving around the peephole on the inner-side of the door
reminded convicts that they were always being watched.

There had been independence movements since the 18th century that had varied levels of support from the ethnic Irish. On Easter of 1916, a group staged a rebellion by proclaiming the secession of the Irish Republic (called the Easter Rising) that was initially lacked the support of the Irish; the people considered this group adventurers. But the English-led army quelled the rebellion in six days and ordered the execution of most of the leaders in Kilmainham Gaol following court martial. This swift

Site in the jail stone-crushing yard where the 16 leaders were executed.

and rash action by the British actually served to change public opinion of the rebellion, and these men were seen as martyrs rather than foolhardy.

W.B. Yeates wrote of the events,
“Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born”

Many Irish consider Easter 1916 as their Independence Day, the beginning of the Irish Republic.

Notes written by those hours before their execution are sobering. In this one, Michael Mallin reflects on his hope to be reunited with his family in heaven. Also, he exhorts his children to enter church service to "be away from the cares and trials of the world." His daughter became a nun and two of his sons became priests.

Public sentiment had changed and now strongly supported Irish self-government. Many of the insurgents were sent to internment in England, where they forged a closely-bonded group with single-minded determination. To cap it off, England attempted to implement conscription, which deepened the mood of alienation. The Free Irish State movement gained traction and fighting continued in earnest until 1922, when the English granted partial independence. In short, Ireland could have its own parliament, but would still answer to the British Crown. Oh, and the six northern counties would still be part of England. [The English had been planting English landowners in Ireland for centuries (see: reasons for Irish resentment) and there was a large Anglican population in northern Ireland who wanted to remain English.]

This treaty was met with polarized responses. The Pro-Treaty Irish thought that this was a pretty good deal, and that they could continue to work for complete independence within those constraints. However, others who were anti-Treaty thought that this was a slap in the face of their sacrifices and that England would continue to control them by puppet strings.

At this point, I think about other groups (from the U.S. feminist movements to Mormons) that are bonded together in a cause, but then the members have rifts in their approaches to achieving objectives. This division is often messy and tragic.

As it happened, the two Irish factions divided, and civil war followed. The Pro-Treaty group (who had come into power) imprisoned many who were Anti-Treaty—whom they had just fought beside—in Kilmainham Gaol, and executed their former brothers-in-arms for treason.

These events are heartbreaking. I’m sure it was difficult for those who were pro-treaty, and that they felt like justice bound the hands of mercy; if they wanted a new State where law prevailed, they had to uphold the law at all costs. But were these actions justified or effective in the long run?

I believe that ultimately we’re all on the same “team”, though that’s difficult to remember when issues often divide us. By learning about the Irish’s war for independence, and the infighting that followed, one thought comes to mind: how can I best navigate divisive issues, when they do arise, to avoid casualties while achieving objectives? I think a good guiding light is for me to remember that at the root of it all, we are brothers and sisters. It may sound trite or cheesy, but trying to approach difficult issues with fellow humans—albeit flawed—in mind, rather than which side they’re on, will help me to be more compassionate, fair-minded, and understanding. Hopefully this leads to objectively better resolutions.