Wolfe Tones- The Foggy Dew
Tom Clarke, Padraig Pearse, James Connolly, Eamonn Ceannt, Sean MacDermott, Thomas MacDonagh, and Joseph Plunkett gave their lives in the name of an Irish Republic. From the third of May to the twelfth, firing squads brutally murdered these men in Kilmainham Gaol as a direct act of violence towards the Irish people. Those Martyrs died carrying a message that many didn't believe in on Easter 1916. These men died with the Irish people in their hearts, and the Irish people carried their message out. These are the stories of those men.
Padraig Pearse
Patrick (Padraig) Pearse 10 November, 1879 - 3 May, 1916: Padraig Pearse was chosen to be the spokesman of the Rising. He read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic on the steps of the General Post Office on Easter 1916.
Prior to the Rising, Pearse founded St. Enda's School in an attempt to preserve the Irish language and culture. At the school, Boys were taught in both Irish and English.
Prior to the Rising, Pearse founded St. Enda's School in an attempt to preserve the Irish language and culture. At the school, Boys were taught in both Irish and English.
I am Ireland
I am Older than the Old Woman of Beare
Great my glory
I that bore Cuchulainn the valiant
Great my shame
My own children that sold their mother
I am Ireland
I am lonelier than the Old Woman of Beare
-Padraig Pearse
I am Older than the Old Woman of Beare
Great my glory
I that bore Cuchulainn the valiant
Great my shame
My own children that sold their mother
I am Ireland
I am lonelier than the Old Woman of Beare
-Padraig Pearse
This is one of Pearse's many poetic works. In December of 1913 Pearse was sworn into the top secret Irish Republican Brotherhood(IRB). He was later placed on the Supreme Council of the IRB by Tom Clarke.
Pearse was also the highest military ranking member of the Supreme Council, since he was the director of Military Organization of the Irish Volunteers.
Pearse was also the highest military ranking member of the Supreme Council, since he was the director of Military Organization of the Irish Volunteers.
Our foes are strong and wise and wary; but, strong and wise and wary as they are, they cannot undo the miracles of God who ripens in the hearts of young men the seeds sown by the young men of a former generation. And the seeds sown by the young men of '65 and '67 are coming to their miraculous ripening today. Rulers and Defenders of the Realm had need to be wary if they would guard against such processes. Life springs from death; and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations. The Defenders of this Realm have worked well in secret and in the open. They think that they have pacified Ireland. They think that they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half. They think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything; but, the fools, the fools, the fools! – They have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.
- Padraig Pearse 1, August 1915. Graveside oration at the funeral of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa.
Tom Clark
Tom Clarke 11 March, 1858 - 3 May, 1916: Clarke was stationed at the GPO during the rising. He is most known for his activity in the IRB from 1878 -1883. His involvement ended when he was sentenced to penal servitude for life on 28, May 1883. He was sentenced due to his involvement in the Fenian Dynamite Campaign. The goal of the campaign was to blow up London Bridge. Clarke was released in 1898. After his release, he moved to Brooklyn in the United States. He returned to Ireland in 1907. Clarke served as the Treasurer for the IRB. In 1915, Clarke along with MacDermott formed the Military Committee of the IRB in order to plan what became the Easter Rising.
"My comrades and I believe we have struck the first successful blow for freedom, and so sure as we are going out this morning so sure will freedom come as a direct result of our action...In this belief, we die happy." -Tom Clarke
This was the message that Clarke asked his wife to give the Irish people on the day of his execution.
Sean Mac Diarmada
Sean Mac Diarmada 27 January, 1883 - 12 May, 1916: Also Known as MacDermott, Sean Mac Diarmada was stationed at the GPO during the Easter Rising as a member of the Provisional Government. Since he was stricken with polio, he did not take part in combat.
In 1910, Mac Diarmada became manager of the radical newspaper Irish Freedom. He later became National organiser of the IRB and worked under Tom Clarke. In 1913 Mac Diarmada became one of the original members of the Irish Volunteers, and he worked to bring them into the control of the IRB. In 1915, he was arrested in Tuam, County Galway for speaking out against joining the Britsh Army during World War I.
Before his execution, Mac Diarmada wrote, "I feel happiness the like of which I have never experienced. I die that the Irish nation might live!”
In 1910, Mac Diarmada became manager of the radical newspaper Irish Freedom. He later became National organiser of the IRB and worked under Tom Clarke. In 1913 Mac Diarmada became one of the original members of the Irish Volunteers, and he worked to bring them into the control of the IRB. In 1915, he was arrested in Tuam, County Galway for speaking out against joining the Britsh Army during World War I.
Before his execution, Mac Diarmada wrote, "I feel happiness the like of which I have never experienced. I die that the Irish nation might live!”
James Connolly
James Connolly 5 June, 1868 - 12 May, 1916: James Connolly was the Commander-in-chief of the military aspect of the Rising. Connolly led the Dublin Brigade, which had the largest impact in the rising. Connolly was injured so badly during the fighting that he had to be placed in a chair before the firing squad.
Connolly thought of the Irish Volunteers as unconcerned for the economic independance of Ireland. Connolly attempted to get the ICA into fighting the British alone, if need be. In order to talk him out of it, IRB leaders, such as Tom Clarke and Padraig Pearse, met with Connolly to see if they could reach an agreement. The result of this agreement was that the IRB and the ICA were to act together on Easter of that year.
Connolly thought of the Irish Volunteers as unconcerned for the economic independance of Ireland. Connolly attempted to get the ICA into fighting the British alone, if need be. In order to talk him out of it, IRB leaders, such as Tom Clarke and Padraig Pearse, met with Connolly to see if they could reach an agreement. The result of this agreement was that the IRB and the ICA were to act together on Easter of that year.
Following the surrender of the Provisional Government, James Connolly said to other Prisoners. "Don't worry. Those of us that signed the proclamation will be shot. But the rest of you will be set free."
Thomas MacDonagh
Thomas MacDonagh 1 February 1878 - 3 May 1916: Thomas MacDonagh was a late addition to the provisional government. He did not join the council until April 1916. Before the Rising, He was the commandant of the Dublin Brigade, which was later taken over by James Connolly. The other leaders were hesitant to place him in such a high position, nevertheless, MacDonagh became a signatory of the proclamation.
During the Rising, MacDonagh's Battalion was stationed at the complex of Jacob's Biscuit Factory. The British avoided the factory as they took more strategic positions in central Dublin. MacDonagh received the orer to surrender on the 30th of April and was court martialed and executed days later on the 3rd of May.
MacDonagh became a teacher at Pearse's School, St. Enda's School for boys, in 1908. He was an English and French teacher, and he was also assistant head master. MacDonagh's love for the Irish language led him to becoming the tutor of a young member of the Gaelic League named Joseph Plunkett in 1910. They shared a love of poetry and Irish Theater and became good friends.
MacDonagh along with Plukett attended the inaugural meeting of the Irish Volunteers and joined the provisional committee in 1913. He later joined the IRB around the summer of 1915.
During the Rising, MacDonagh's Battalion was stationed at the complex of Jacob's Biscuit Factory. The British avoided the factory as they took more strategic positions in central Dublin. MacDonagh received the orer to surrender on the 30th of April and was court martialed and executed days later on the 3rd of May.
MacDonagh became a teacher at Pearse's School, St. Enda's School for boys, in 1908. He was an English and French teacher, and he was also assistant head master. MacDonagh's love for the Irish language led him to becoming the tutor of a young member of the Gaelic League named Joseph Plunkett in 1910. They shared a love of poetry and Irish Theater and became good friends.
MacDonagh along with Plukett attended the inaugural meeting of the Irish Volunteers and joined the provisional committee in 1913. He later joined the IRB around the summer of 1915.
Joseph Plunkett
Joseph Plunkett 21 November 1887 - 4 May 1916: Joseph Plunkett was one of the original members of the IRB Military Committee, and it was largely his plan that was followed on Easter 1916. Despite having surgery days before the rising, Plunkett was at the GPO with other leaders such as Padraig Pearse and Tom Clarke. His personal assistant was Michael Collins.
Plunkett joined the IRB in 1915 and was sent to Germany to meet with Roger Casement. Casement was in Germany to negotiate with their Government on behalf of the Irish people. Since he was not a member of the IRB, they sent Plunkett to establish a connection between them and the German Government. Plunkett got the Germans to send a shipment of arms to Ireland.
Seven hours before Plunkett's execution, He married his sweetheart Grace Gifford in the prison chapel. She was a protestant who converted to Catholicism, and her sister, also a Catholic convert, was married to Thomas MacDonagh. Plunkett was the youngest signatory of the proclamation to be executed.
Plunkett joined the IRB in 1915 and was sent to Germany to meet with Roger Casement. Casement was in Germany to negotiate with their Government on behalf of the Irish people. Since he was not a member of the IRB, they sent Plunkett to establish a connection between them and the German Government. Plunkett got the Germans to send a shipment of arms to Ireland.
Seven hours before Plunkett's execution, He married his sweetheart Grace Gifford in the prison chapel. She was a protestant who converted to Catholicism, and her sister, also a Catholic convert, was married to Thomas MacDonagh. Plunkett was the youngest signatory of the proclamation to be executed.
Eamonn Ceannt
Eamonn Ceannt 21 September 1881 - 8 May 1916: Eamonn Ceannt was the Director of Communications. He was the Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Volunteers, which were stationed at the South Dublin Union during the Rising.
In 1907, Eamonn Ceannt became a member of Sinn Fein in Dublin where he grew a larger yearning for a free Ireland. In 1912, He was sworn into the IRB by Sean MacDiarmada. In May 1915, The IRB Military Council, consisting of Plunkett MacDiarmada as well as Ceannt, made plans for the Rebellion. .
"I leave for the guidance of other Irish Revolutionaries who may tread the path which I have trod this advice, never to treat with the enemy, never to surrender at his mercy, but to fight to a finish...Ireland has shown she is a nation. This generation can claim to have raised sons as brave as any that went before. And in the years to come Ireland will honour those who risked all for her honour at Easter 1916." Eamonn Ceannt's last message written only a few hours before his execution from cell 88 of Kilmainham Gaol.
In 1907, Eamonn Ceannt became a member of Sinn Fein in Dublin where he grew a larger yearning for a free Ireland. In 1912, He was sworn into the IRB by Sean MacDiarmada. In May 1915, The IRB Military Council, consisting of Plunkett MacDiarmada as well as Ceannt, made plans for the Rebellion. .
"I leave for the guidance of other Irish Revolutionaries who may tread the path which I have trod this advice, never to treat with the enemy, never to surrender at his mercy, but to fight to a finish...Ireland has shown she is a nation. This generation can claim to have raised sons as brave as any that went before. And in the years to come Ireland will honour those who risked all for her honour at Easter 1916." Eamonn Ceannt's last message written only a few hours before his execution from cell 88 of Kilmainham Gaol.