BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913
I used a Sigma 14mm lens and unfortunately lens flare can be a problem and this was evident when I photographed this much ignored memorial.
Google Maps describes this as “1916 Site Of Rotunda Rink” but on the copper plaque the date is 1913. Of course the plaque is correct. The Irish Volunteers were indeed founded at the Rotunda Rink in 1913. This is a crucial date in Irish history, marking a pivotal moment in the nationalist movement.
![GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229741-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/2024PhotoBlog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GOOGLE-MAPS-DESCRIBE-THIS-AS-THE-1916-SITE-OF-THE-ROTUNDA-RINK-BUT-ON-THE-MEMORIAL-PLAQUE-THE-DATE-IS-1913-229741-1-1600x900.jpg "GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229741-1")
![GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229742-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/2024PhotoBlog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GOOGLE-MAPS-DESCRIBE-THIS-AS-THE-1916-SITE-OF-THE-ROTUNDA-RINK-BUT-ON-THE-MEMORIAL-PLAQUE-THE-DATE-IS-1913-229742-1-1600x900.jpg "GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229742-1")
![GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229743-1](https://excellentstreetimages.com/2024PhotoBlog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GOOGLE-MAPS-DESCRIBE-THIS-AS-THE-1916-SITE-OF-THE-ROTUNDA-RINK-BUT-ON-THE-MEMORIAL-PLAQUE-THE-DATE-IS-1913-229743-1-1600x900.jpg "GOOGLE MAPS DESCRIBE THIS AS THE 1916 SITE OF THE ROTUNDA RINK [BUT ON THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE THE DATE IS 1913]-229743-1")
The Rotunda Rink: Birthplace of the Irish Volunteers
Dublin’s Rotunda Rink holds a unique place in Irish history. The site, located within the grounds of the famous Rotunda Hospital, wasn’t merely a skating rink but a pivotal location in the lead-up to the transformative events of Ireland’s early 20th century.
In 1913, tensions were high across Ireland. The prospect of Home Rule (limited self-governance) had brought divisions to the forefront, particularly between those who supported the idea and those vehemently opposed it in the North. Eoin MacNeill, a scholar and Gaelic League leader, recognising the need for a nationalist counterbalance to the newly formed Ulster Volunteer Force, published a seminal article titled “The North Began”. It ignited a wave of support for the creation of an Irish nationalist volunteer force.
On November 25th, 1913, the Rotunda Rink, then the largest hall in Dublin, became the stage for the inaugural public meeting of the Irish Volunteers. Thousands of men, inspired by MacNeill’s call and the prospect of defending Irish interests, crowded into the rink.
The meeting was a resounding affirmation of the nationalist spirit of resistance. Speakers like Arthur Griffith, Tom Kettle, and Sean MacDermott passionately articulated the vision of a self-governing Ireland and the need for an organised force to defend those aspirations.
Legacy
The Rotunda Rink witnessed the birth of a movement that would profoundly change Irish history. The Irish Volunteers, although eventually splitting in the lead-up to World War I, played a crucial role in the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent fight for Irish Independence.
The site of the Rotunda Rink, while no longer standing, retains a powerful symbolism. It serves as a reminder of a pivotal moment when the Irish people took concrete steps towards self-determination – a journey that would bring both struggle and ultimately, the birth of an independent Irish state.
Additional Notes:
The Rotunda Rink was part of the Rotunda Gardens, a pleasure garden attached to the Rotunda Hospital.
Some notable figures like Countess Markievicz and Dr. Kathleen Lynn, both associated with the Easter Rising, worked within the Rotunda Hospital complex.