1916 Signatory Series

How much do you know about Pádraig Pearse? “We stand at Rossa’s grave not in sadness, but in exultation of spirit… This is a place of peace sacred to the dead, where men should speak with all charity and all restraint; but I hold it a Christian thing… to hate evil, to hate untruth, to […]

11 years ago

A key, yet often unheralded, architect of the Rising. “The Irish patriotic spirit will die forever unless a blood sacrifice is made in the next few years.” – Seán Mac Diarmada. 1. He was born in Leitrim in 1883. Mac Diarmada hailed from Corranmore, close to Kiltyclogher in North Leitrim. The landscape was dotted with reminders […]

11 years ago

Arguably the biggest influence on the events of Easter 1916. “I and my fellow signatories believe we have struck the first successful blow for Irish freedom. The next blow, which we have no doubt Ireland will strike, will win through. In this belief, we die happy.” – Thomas Clarke. via Ireland.ie 1. The early years. […]

11 years ago

The life of an early 20th century ‘Algerian’ roller-skating champion. 1) He was born into wealth. Plunkett was born and raised on Fitzwilliam Street in Dublin, one of the city’s most affluent areas. His father, George Noble Plunkett, was made a Papal Count – one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on prominent Catholics […]

11 years ago

A man who believed that Irish freedom and socialism were inter-linked. In the first of our series about the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, we look at James Connolly. We will feature a different signatory every day up to Easter Sunday.  “Parliamentary democracy gives to the worker the right to a voice in the selection […]

11 years ago

Musician, leader, patriot. 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 […]

11 years ago