I’ve been
blessed with the ability to enjoy the Golden Years by doing a good deal of
traveling, and adding to my badge collection. I’ve been at it close to 50 years.
I have learned that “travel” is a great way to make the wife, if not totally
enthused about my hobby, to be at least “Tolerant” of my passion.
This year
(2016) she wanted to go to Ireland. Without argument I whipped out the old “Visa Card,” and started doing a little research.
Heck, I didn’t even know if they had a Police Dept. or any type of crime problem
in Dublin. I did know that is where they make Guinness Beer. Yes, this would be
a good trip.
It wasn’t
easy working out side trips with the wife planning my walks around Dublin in
order to cross paths with sites I that interested me. I planned it so I’d have
a free day, but I also needed some real guidance. The International Police Association (IPA) responded to my request for
help. It took a little while, but a couple of weeks before departing for
Ireland, I was given a name and email. That was all I needed. The IPA hooked me up with an Officer in
Dublin. We were “matched” because of our similar interest in collecting Law Enforcement
Memorabilia. My wife said, "she was happy" I made this connection.
H S. emailed back and forth with me, prior to my travel date, so we got to
know each other’s history and collection interests. Dinner at a Dublin
Restaurant managed to work its way into our plan. The wife thought a good meal
would be a great way to start enjoying Dublin so she was agreeable. She noted
that we sounded like a couple kids talking about “the job.”
Of course we
exchanged some items that built a wonderful “Memory” of the Garda, and Dublin. I
brought some patches for Harley and his Station House. Most were from US Towns
that were named “Dublin.” Finding them was an interesting hunt for me. Watching Harley’s face while he perused them was a joy
too. He was happy. My wife was happy we got them through Customs. She was stressed a little, but she also did a
great job packing them!
Well, when
it was time for dessert H. presented me with a few trinkets including a
fine current Dress Uniform Hat. It’s now on a perch just over my head and keeping
an eye on me as I type. Harley also had some Uniform Patches, Buttons and Badges.
I was impressed, and so happy I almost had a few tears fall into my Guinness.
Next we
talked about travel time for my next day’s trip. H. was handing me off to
Officer Stephen Moore. He would meet at the “Pearse Street Station.” It is the
oldest Station in Dublin. It literally sits on a thousand years of history.
Thank God there were no Vikings swinging axes on our visit. The wife really
would not approve of that (Me too).
At the
Station all the Garda’s that I encountered asked, “If they could help me.” They
really meant it too. They knew I was to
see Stephen Moore, as he is the one that does the private tours and takes care
of history.
Moore
greeted the wife and I. He got right to it asking, “If we knew what Garda’ s meant.” We thought it was police or protectors.” That
was a decent start. It didn’t take long to have the full translation. “An
Garda Siochana” means: Guardian of the Peace. They are an unarmed
force that came into existence in 1922 following a treaty with Great Britain
wherein The Irish Free State was created. In 1925 the Dublin
Metropolitan Police amalgamated with An Garda Siochana.
Stephen then
walked us through History. The Station
House that we were in was originally opened as the Great Brunswick Police
Station in 1915. It later became known as the College Station due to
its proximity to Trinity College. I promised the wife we would visit the
College after our tour on Pearse St.
In 1916 the
Station was very active as there were political problems. World War II was in its early stages. The
Irish wanted Independence from Britain, and really had no interest in fighting
Germans. They were fighting the British for “their own” Independence. They agreed to put off their difference with the Crown to fight the Germans, with
the understanding that After the War
there would be a free Irish State.
Some of the locals
were not united with this plan for Irish Independence. They wanted there
“Freedom” now. Others could wait as the Law was in fact on the books granting
the Irish their State, but in London it implementation had become delayed, and
delayed, and delayed.
In some
quarter it was believed that Independence after the War was British rhetoric.
From these beliefs came the birth of the Irish
Republican Brotherhood, One of its’ leaders was a young Irishman named Padraig
Pearse.
On Easter
Monday 1916, Pearse gave the order for what has become known as the Easter
Rebellion. Pearse wanted to chase the British out of Dublin. After six days of
bloody fighting and heavy casualties his fighters were badly beaten. Pearse had
no choice, and He gave the order to surrender. He was quickly tried and
executed, but he became a National Hero.
In 1924
Dublin renamed the Street, where College Station stood, to Pearse Street in
honor of Padraig Pearse. In 1965 College Station was renamed “Pearse Street
Station” as part of the Celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of
the Easter Uprising that started just outside the doors of the police station.
Now I am sure a got a couple of mistakes in this history of
War, Riots, Treason, and Nationalism, but it was fascinating. I could tell Stephen Moore certainly enjoyed
explaining “his” history. I enjoyed it myself. Even the wife learned a tad and
got herself involved taking a picture of Garda Moore and me.
Last but not least was a large medal hanging on the wall
issued to the force for winning a major Tug Of War Championship. I took a picture of it, and then said my
goodbyes to Stephen, who in a couple short hours revealed himself to be a man
captured by his job and its history. I am Glad to call him friend. I also am
glad to call H. S. a friend
too. He and the International Police Association (IPA) went the extra mile to
make sure the wife and I enjoyed our visit to Dublin. We hope you enjoyed sharing the "memories" we collected, and the pictures below.
(Display
Case holding items given myself, - Dennis Beyer Photo)
(Garda Hat
Badge similar to the one Spackman presented as a gift. Modled by authors Grandson – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(Medium size
Garda Uniform Badges that adorns Dress Uniforms. – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(Vest Patch,
equivalent of our “POLICE” markings on vests. – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(International
Police Assoc, Ireland Patch. The organization is very much involved with the Garda, and was a most valuable asset in planning this trip. – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(Stephen
Moore outside main entrance to Pearse Street Station – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(Sculpture
carved above door to Pearse Street Station – Dennis Beyer Photograph)
(Second
Sculpture over entry to Pearse Street Station
- Dennis Beyer Photo)
(PC NEWS,
Staff Writer, Dennis Beyer at Front Desk – Lois Beyer Photo)
(Tug Of War
1894 Championship Medallion – Dennis Beyer Photo)
(A relic
from The 1916 Easter Uprising. This Grenade was one of ten found in a sub floor
of the Station. They were discovered in 1985 with this one being, one of two
presented to the Pearse Street Station for display. – Photo by Dennis Beyer)
(Stephen Moore
presenting Dennis Beyer with a book he authored, titled “100 Pearse Street, A Centenary
Celebration of Policing in the City” – Lois Beyer Photo)
(Pearse
Street Station - donated picture)
(Pearse
Street Station, side view – donated photo)
*****
