On the ride back to the hotel from the Henna Night Party for Joel and Roja last year in Dublin, the cab driver pointed out the window and said, “There’s the Five Lamps.”
We looked and sure enough, there stood a lamp-post with five lanterns. One of us asked about why the lamp-post had significance.
The cab driver said, “Because it has five lamps.” A true answer, but somewhat obvious.
We asked again and he replied, “It is the only one in Dublin.” Not so obvious, but hardly a significant increase in information.
We tried once more and learned no more. I for one gave up. It was dark so I did not get a photo. I guess that is a reason to return.
Tonight, because the 1 Train was crowded, I opted to walk part way home. On Broadway, where I have been before, I noticed the Five Lamps Tavern.
I figure there is a connection. Some Internet searching has proven about as helpful as our Dublin cabbie.
However, from the Dublin City Libraries, I have learned about the lamp-post in Dublin:
The Five Lamps were put up around 1880 as a memorial to General Henry Hall from Galway who had served with the British Army in India. They were originally a water fountain with four basins at their base. Water gushed from the spouts in the shape of lions’ heads. Cups hung from chains over the basins, so that the locals could have a drink. At that time people were poor and had no running water in their homes. The fountain was probably also used as a watering trough for horses to have a drink as well.
Some mystery remains:
Some people think that the name “five lamps” comes from the five streets which meet at this point; others believe that they commemorate five major battles fought in India during the days of the British Empire.
But I know more than I did before. And someday I can learn about the Five Lamps Tavern and possible connections.
See you along the Trail.
I bask in the Manhattan sun,
warm against my face
and remember Ireland a year ago
with Tricia and with friends,
and rejoice with Joel and Roja
whose promises drew us across the water,
and ache for Joe who joined us there
and today grieves his brother’s death.
Disparate feelings stir, mix, tug,
today, as every day. Life.
27 April 2013
Shire near the Hudson
On our final day in Dublin,
for this trip,
we visited St.Stephen’s Green
where we saw ducks,
busts of Joyce and Markievicz
a Boer War arch,
a statue of Tone,
reminders of the Famine,
and purple flowers.
St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin, Ireland
4 May 2012
Along the cliffs they stand
in silence:
watchers,
greeters,
sentries.
30 April 2012
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
After the wedding, we visited the Dublin Zoo.
It was cold.
It was cloudy.
We did not stay all day.
But we had a good time.
And there were purple flowers,
including these with their
little yellow helmets.
29 April 2012
Dublin Zoo
Ireland
We arrived at the
Garden of Remembrance in Dublin
almost a year
after Queen Elizabeth II,
our visit a bit less historic.
No wreath we brought,
still flowers greeted us
as we remembered
past people and events,
as we reflected on
courage and freedom,
and the costs of violence,
and the possibilities of nonviolence.
28 April 2012
Garden of Remembrance, Dublin
Ireland
Along the Graybeard Trail 