History in a room

My apologize for the double posting of the pictures of Molly malone. I could not delete them after i put them on. ARGH. . I want an american keyboard.
Be prepared this is a long post but worth the history lesson. So those at work, read it at lunch.
The Shelbourne hotel where we are staying plays a huge part in the history of ireland. we didn't know this when we booked it. this is a marriott property so we are using frequent use points. It just looked like a swanky downtown hotel to us. Little did we know.
Here is a quick timeline. Ireland came under english rule in the 1500's. The irish people were conquered, repressed and enslaved. english lords were given irish lands as gifts for loyalty to various Kings through out the years. During the so called potatoe famine, ireland had a population of 8million after the famine it dropped to 4 million. Between death/emmigration/prisons ships, the irish people left the land.
In 1916 an irish uprising began and by 1922 a declaration of independence was completed and the Republic of Ireland was created. Not all of ireland wanted to severe ties with England. Thus after the vote nothern ireland stayed with England.
OK. . .Got all that? Now for the cool part. The hotel we are styaing has a room they call the constitution room. This is the very room where the irish rebels drafted and signed the constitution of Ireland from 1916-1922. We got a private tour of the room which had several of the original chairs and the drafts of the constitution. it was typewritten and with an old ink ribbon so it was in blue/black color. So this hotel was a pivotal place for the Republic.
Earlier in the day we passed by some buildings not really paying attention to what they were. now we know. our hotel is NEXT DOOR to the national Museum of Archeology and History. this equals the Smithsonian or the Duetsches Museum. Next door to it is the Prime Minister & Parliment. That is right our hotel is in the same block as the equivalent of the White house and Congress. There are no rolling green lawns like the White House. There is an Iron fence and Garda=police. And now it makes sense what we saw on Saturday.
Here is a sound bite listen into it at least 20 seconds. . .it is loud but you can hear them chanting.
http://gallopinggobets.googlepages.com/WS320141.WMA They are saying Free the Weed. it is a legalize marijuana protest in front of the Prime minster & Parliment buildings. I have attached a pic. Also of a parade for Peace that happened that same day with these chinese fan dancers.

Now you understand the history behind this spot we are better equipped to appreciate all the struggles this island country has over come. And why the people are very independent and outspoken. they are tired of repression.
I will end this blog on a "To be continued. . ." note. We leave for home tomorrow morning. We just got an email today that our 6th grandchild (Christian) has decided to join all of us. and it looks like she may do this today which is Jerry's 58th birthday. What a nice treat. I will not be around a computer for the next 36 hours so you will have to wait to hear "The rest of the story." And believe me there is much much more. Like the jail & the vikings & the Book of Kells. .. . .
cheers
Mary & Jerry