The amusement park and the memorial

Use this forum to discuss the March 2020 Book of the month, "House of Eire" by June Gillam.
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Songjohn007
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Re: The amusement park and the memorial

Post by Songjohn007 »

A better place to have a memorial is always the amusement park and think as the character indicated it in this interesting book is good enough to show it was valued.
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Post by Gifted Soul »

ElizaBeth Adams wrote: 05 Mar 2020, 09:51 I think if it was designed just right, the memorial and the amusement park could co-exist. People drawn in for the fun of the park may take the time to view the memorial and exhibit and have their eyes opened to Ireland's past. This may help educate people who wouldn't typically dig into the history on their own. The exhibit may even inspire people to dig into the history more on their own, and visit other museums.
I agree that the geographical location of the monument has a psychological impact on the tourists and visitors that will visit the amusement park. Like someone said, they will be reminded to appreciate all that they have.
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Post by djr6090 »

I sensed that Bridgett was just fed up with the fairyland look at Irish history as embodied in the proposed amusement park. Her insistence on a famine memorial might not have been out of line, but the death-to-all-comers resistance by the developer was quite irrational. He should have embraced the idea and then hidden the memorial in a less fanciful part of the park. After all, it's not like his Irish-American visitors don't know about it.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

djr6090 wrote: 20 Mar 2020, 09:56 I sensed that Bridgett was just fed up with the fairyland look at Irish history as embodied in the proposed amusement park. Her insistence on a famine memorial might not have been out of line, but the death-to-all-comers resistance by the developer was quite irrational. He should have embraced the idea and then hidden the memorial in a less fanciful part of the park. After all, it's not like his Irish-American visitors don't know about it.
I agree, the developer was irrational, wanting the memorial stopped regardless of the cost. I think it became a power struggle between Dermot and Bridget, but Dermot wanted Seamus to do his dirty work for him.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

Songjohn007 wrote: 20 Mar 2020, 00:59 A better place to have a memorial is always the amusement park and think as the character indicated it in this interesting book is good enough to show it was valued.
I agree the memorial was valued. It definitely needed to be on display, I just don't feel something as somber and serious as that type of memorial would be a good fit in an amusement park. However, each of us has our own opinion. That's what makes these discussions so interesting and fun! :D
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Post by Miercoles »

I also agree with you. Having such a memorial within an amusement park seems quite incongruous. One would think that such a memorial would be important enough to stand on its own as a place of interest for visitors.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

Miercoles wrote: 23 Mar 2020, 19:48 I also agree with you. Having such a memorial within an amusement park seems quite incongruous. One would think that such a memorial would be important enough to stand on its own as a place of interest for visitors.
Exactly! Personally, I wouldn't enjoy the rest of my day at an amusement park if I started it on a sad note. And, I would be too tired to really appreciate the memorial after I had been walking around an amusement park all day!
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Post by freshbook »

I don't think it should have been put in a theme park. Maybe as a memorial off to the side near the entrance, but not in the heart of a theme park.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

freshbook wrote: 24 Mar 2020, 17:37 I don't think it should have been put in a theme park. Maybe as a memorial off to the side near the entrance, but not in the heart of a theme park.
I agree whole-heartedly! To me, the two just weren't a good fit. I think the memorial was a great idea, just not the right place for it to be!
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Post by Kaitlyn Canedy »

No, I think that it should have been put someone that people will appreciate it. Now, I cannot say for sure that this may not have worked. In Disney World, there is much history throughout the parks where they tell you how others suffered to get where we are now. It is sort of secluded though; it is not the focus. But, indeed, most people do not even glance at these parts and it would probably have been appropriate to put the memorial in a place outside the park but is still close enough for people to visit.
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Post by Songjohn007 »

Though many are of the opinion that park is better than the amusement park, but remember the author's view shows it's valuable, and most valuable heritage materials are kept well for next generations to see.
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Post by Leyla Ann »

Indeed a memorial in an amusement park sounds off. I definitely agree with your idea.
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Post by Kenesha Latoya Fowler »

I completely agree with you. While I was reading I couldn't get why she was so adamant that the memorial be erected in the amusement park. It just didn't seem like the right place. I think it would have gotten the attention and reverence it deserved in a place of its own.
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Post by Raycheal+2020 »

Yes, it wasn't really appropriate for it to be there. I wouldn't want to see sad faces at the place where I want to go relax and have fun. I mean I wanted to have fun in the first place so why dampen my mood?
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Post by Fazzier »

Having a memorial in an amusement park, especially for those who have suffered, seems odd. However, maybe Bridgett was thinking about the publicity of an amusement park, and hence, the popularity it might give to the memorial establishment. That, having it in the park may make many people aware of it since it is a new idea and concept to the Irish people.
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