Doon Literary and Historical Society Summer TripDún Bleisce Historical and Literary Society
Report for year 2016
For most groups and individuals interested in history and historical events - 2016 was taken as an opportunity to remember events of a century ago. Doon was no different in this regard. Preparations began a few months before the date of Sunday the 10th of April which was picked as the day for a public commemoration. Many people put in a lot of hard work in preparation for the day, none more so than Con Horrigan & Mike Holmes who created life size wooden representations of the 1916 signatories to the proclamation which are works of art. The Sunday itself turned out to be an awfully wet and windy day which meant that the proceedings had to be moved indoors to the Community Centre. This however did not take from the occasion at all and a great day was enjoyed by all.
The centenary also influenced our decision on where to take our annual tour. On the 10th of August a full bus load travelled to Dublin for a visit to Collins Barracks and Glasnevin Cemetary. This was a great day out and an account of the trip is elsewhere in this publication.
Lectures this year included (Micheal Cotter – on Gleanings & Landlords of the Doon Area & Environs, Michael Hassett – on Causes of the First World War 1914-1918, Dr. Noreen Higgins on - Limerick and 1916, Martin Mansergh on – the Northern Ireland Peace Process and Tom Toomey – on The Rescue of Sean Hogan at te Station of Knocklong) These were all very well attended and very informative as well as entertaining.
Admission to these talks is free of charge and open to all whether members or not. Membership of the historical society is €10 per year and there is a text service to keep members informed on all events and talks if anyone wishes to join.
Placename Plaques continue to be erected at various townlands in the parish and in time it is hoped that all areas will be covered.
Our annual table quiz will be held again this year in Moores in late December or early January.
We would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Great New Year.
Doon Literary and Historical Society Summer Trip
By Micheál Kennedy
Being the year of commemoration, it was decided that the theme of this year’s summer tour should be 1916. We had the biggest number yet with 47 people, reflecting the interest of people in the topic. On Wednesday August 10th 2016, we set off on "The 1916 Tour" arriving at Collins Barracks as our first stop. This is a former military barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin, which housed both British Armed Forces and Irish Army garrisons over three centuries, and is now part of the National Museum of Ireland. Here we attended their exhibition Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising, which took us through the build up and background to the Rising, the events themselves and the aftermath. We got a sense of the reality of Easter week through the everyday experiences of civilians, combatants and survivors, reflected through different media forms. There is a comprehensive collection of artefacts, including: weapons, uniforms, handwritten messages and memorabilia of all sorts. Also at the exhibition are the originals of the Starry Plough flag which flew over the Imperial Hotel and the green flag, with the words “Irish Republic”, that was raised over the GPO, in addition to an original copy of the Proclamation.
Within the exhibition a separate space has been set aside, where the last handwritten letters of those sentenced to death are displayed, providing an insight into the last thoughts, emotions and reflections of the leaders. Visitors can read these moving letters and also listen to dramatic modern-day readings. This has a chilling effect and impact on anyone experiencing it, and makes one realise the humanity and human tragedy that lay behind the 1916 story.
Following the tour, we had lunch at the onsite restaurant. An added bonus to visiting Collins Barracks, is that it is walking distance to Arbour Hill military cemetery, which is the last resting place of 14 of the leaders, who were executed in Kilmainham, including two Limerick natives, Con Colbert, and Edward (Ned) Daly. The two leaders not buried there are Roger Casement and Thomas Kent.
Our next and final stop was Glasnevin Cemetery, where on arrival we were met by our tour guide, Sean Hayes, grandson of John and Maura Hayes of Bank Place Doon, and son of JJ and Mary, who also joined us for the tour, as they live nearby. Sean has all the attributes of an excellent tour guide and as a consequence provided us with an informative and entertaining account of the cemetery and its history, accompanied with various anecdotes along the way,
The cemetery which was opened in 1832, at the instigation of Daniel O Connell, for all religions and none, now extending to 124 acres is the burial ground of over 1.5 million people and still in use. The landmark round tower in the centre stands over the elaborate and ornate crypt of Daniel O Connell, which we entered and viewed.
Our tour started at the grave of O'Donovan Rossa, where an actor in uniform, gave us a rousing and powerful rendition of the oration given by Patrick Pearse, at his funeral, ending in the famous lines
"They 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"
We also visited the grave of Michael Collins, which is the most visited there. The grave is adorned by flowers on a daily basis from female admirers, some of which are from abroad. Kitty Kiernan is also buried nearby, as was her wish, granted by her husband! Our guide, Sean, mused if some of the attention might be confused with the actor, Liam Neeson, who played the role of Michael Collins in the film.
We visited the grave of Éamon De Valera, his wife Sinéad and son Brian. In the context of a president, this is a very simple headstone amongst many on a grand scale. Brian had predeceased his parents, and apparently they considered if it was good enough for their son, it was also good enough for them. We also visited the grave of Roger Casement, one of the two 1916 executed, not buried in Arbour Hill, referred to earlier. There are many other famous graves there, Charles Stewart Parnell, Kevin Barry, Maud Gonne and Countess Markievicz to mention but a few.
After some refreshments at their restaurant, we set off for home, stopping at Hayes’ in Cappamore for dinner, before finally arriving in Doon, after a most enjoyable day. Thanks to Margaret Franklin and Marie Moore for all the background work in organising this successful and memorable event. 
Comóradh an Chéid i nDún Bleisce
The famous Scottish poet Robbie Burns wrote the lines:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
So it was for our 1916 Commemmoration Ceremony. The day before it was a glorious sunny day and it was all systems go for a comprehensice programme of events.
Unfortunately, the designated Sunday was cold, windy and wet so holding the celebrations out of doors was out of the question. Luckily, Plan B: to hold them indoors in our spacious Community Centre worked a treat and the audience could enjoy the programme while seated in a warm hall. Thanks to all who made this possible.
Volunteers Students
Pakie Ryan (Hotel), Doon Bob Purcell 3rd year
William Mccarthy (Yank), Gurtavalla David Butler 5th year
Con Bourke, Doon Gerry O’Brien 5th year
Jack Ryan (Mahony), Doon Pádraig Ryan 5th year
Paddy Ryan (Mahony), Doon Jack Ryan 3rd year
Mick Clancy (Dr), Doon Eoin Doyle 3rd year
Dan Allis, Cooga Ben O’Dwyer 3rd year
John Morrissey, Bilboa formerly Glengar Rowan Treacy 3rd year
Mick Morrissey, Bilboa formerly Glengar Oisin Treacy 3rd year
Michael McCarthy, Gurtavalla Michael Slattery 3rd year
Mick Ryan (Minor), Gurtavalla Laura O’Riordan 2nd year
Rodge Moloney, Croughmorka Laura Murphy 2nd year
Brian Ryan (Frank), Croughmorka Laura Flanagan 2nd year
Paddy Shanahan, Lisowen Therese o’Dea
RIC Officer Jack Ryan
Doon’s part in the 1916 Rising
By Dr. Noreen Higgins McHugh
Background
The 1916 Rising took place mainly in Dublin city against the background of the First World War, which had begun in August 1914. As Belgium’s neutrality has been compromised by the Germans at the start of the war, some 35,000 to 40,000 Irish Volunteers answered John Redmond’s call to fight in the British army for the freedom of small nations. However, a small group of the Irish Volunteers believed that Irishmen should only fight for Ireland. They believed that Home Rule, promised after the end of the war, was too limited in its terms. They wished to break the political connection with Britain and believed that the best way to do so would be to have a rebellion.
The IRB, also known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood, had infiltrated the Irish Volunteers from its inception in November 1913. After the split in the Irish Volunteers in September 1914, the IRB became the dominant force in the remaining 2,000 - 3,000 Irish Volunteers. Unbeknownst to the leader of the Irish Volunteers, Eoin McNeill, the IRB controlled the executive of the Irish Volunteers and key positions among its personnel around the country. Throughout the remainder of 1914, 1915 and 1916, Sean MacDiarmada and others travelled around the country to build up the numbers of the Irish Volunteers. Consequently, it is estimated that Volunteer numbers had risen to 8000 -12000 by the time of the Easter Rising.
By May 1915, a secret military council within the Irish Volunteers had been established at the Dublin headquarters. It comprised of Pádraig Pearse, Joseph Plunkett and Eamonn Ceannt. They had been given the task of planning the proposed rebellion. Later, they were joined by Thomas Clarke and Sean MacDiarmada. James Connolly joined the military council in January 1916, having been persuaded to co-opt his 400 strong Citizens’ Army to the Volunteers’ rebellion. Eoin McNeill was not aware of the IRB involvement or of the secret military council within his Volunteer organisation or of their plans for rebellion.
A countrywide plan
The military council decided that the rebellion would start on Easter Sunday, 23 April 1916. The rebellion was to start across the country on this date. Joseph Plunkett drew up the country-wide plan. All Volunteer companies would mobilise on Easter Sunday, 23 April 1916 and travel to agreed locations and proceed to attack small rural RIC barracks to get arms and ammunition. They would also destroy telegraph and telephone lines and dig up railway lines to prevent the RIC and British troops from getting reinforcements from other areas of the country. Once successful, they would then attack the larger RIC and British army barracks in the towns and cities across the country, eventually converging on Dublin city. Meanwhile, the Dublin brigades were to rise in Dublin and hold strategic buildings in the city until they were relieved by Volunteers from the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, Roger Casement travelled to Germany to secure both men and arms for the proposed rebellion. Although he failed in his attempts to attract large numbers of Irish POW in German army camps to join his Irish Brigade to fight in the forthcoming rebellion, he succeeded in getting 20,000 rifles, 10 machine guns and a million rounds of ammunition from the Germans. These arms were transported on board ‘the Aud’ which arrived in Tralee Bay on Good Friday, 21 April 1916. However a series of mishaps led to the arrest of Casement on Banna Strand later that day and the capture of the ‘Aud’ on Holy Saturday. As the ‘Aud’ was escorted by the two British vessels into Cobh harbour, the captain scuttled his ship, sending its cargo to the bottom of the sea.
McNeill’s countermanding order
On learning of the sinking of the ‘Aud’ and the capture of Casement, Eoin McNeill decided that a rising would be futile. After yet another argument with Pearse, he decided to issue a countermanding order to prevent the mobilisation of the Irish Volunteers on Easter Sunday and thereby prevent the Rising. McNeill sent the O’Rahilly down with his countermanding order to Tipperary and Limerick city on Easter Sunday that all parades and meetings of the Irish Volunteers were to be cancelled.
Confusion on Easter Sunday
Consequently, there was much confusion throughout Limerick that Easter Sunday morning. Commander Charles Wall mobilised 150 men near Glenquin Castle, west Limerick at 3pm that Easter Sunday. They were eventually disbanded at 7pm that evening. Limerick Area Commander Michael Colivert and 200 Volunteers mobilised in Limerick city and marched out to Killaloan where 100 Volunteers camped overnight until Easter Monday. However, on learning that the rising had happened in Dublin, Colivert disbanded his men in view of their small number and the capture of the ‘Aud’.
Thirty Volunteers also mobilised in Doon that Easter Sunday, travelling by cart and bike to Castleconnell where they meet other Volunteer companies from Killaloan, Caherconlish, Cappamore and Murroe. It is estimated that about 150 to 400 men were assembled at Castleconnell that day. Although they waited for further orders from the Commander Colivert, they were demobilized by the evening time and returned to Doon.
By late afternoon on Easter Monday, news of the Dublin Rising had reached Volunteer companies in counties Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork. Despite the best efforts of Sean Treacy and William McCarthy of Doon to persuade both the Limerick and Tipperary Volunteers to come out in sympathy with their Dublin comrades, there was no further mobilisation of the Volunteers during Easter Week.
Conclusion
The Dublin Rising lasted six days. It began at noon on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916. A number of prominent buildings were taken across the city, including the GPO, Boland’s Mills, Jacobs’ Biscuits’ Factory, the Four Courts, City Hall, the College of Surgeons, the Mendicity Hall, the Jamestown Distillery and the South Dublin Union. Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation in front of the GPO announcing the founding of an Irish Republic. The tricolour of green, white and orange replaced the usual Union Jack flag on the flagpole on the roof of the GPO. Also fluttering on another flagpole at the GPO was a green flag with the words ‘Irish Republic’. The starry plough flag of the Citizens’ Army flew from the top of the nearby Imperial Hotel.
Limerick men were prominent among the 1916 Commandants. Eamonn De Valera and Edward Daly were Commandants of Boland’s Mills and the Four Courts respectively while Con Colbert was in charge of Volunteers stationed at the Jameson’s Distillery on Marrowbone Lane. By Saturday 29 April 1916, Pearse, Connolly and McDonagh had signed an order for the unconditional surrender of the Volunteers across the city. This led to the surrender of all garrisons across Dublin and the subsequent court-martials of the leaders of the 1916 Rising and the execution of fifteen of its leaders. These executions would eventually ignite the desire of the Irish people for a full and independent republic which would find expression in the subsequent War of Independence, 1919-1921.
Well done to Con Horrigan for the wonderful window display of his memorobilia of immense historical interest. It captivated all onlookers and greatly added to the occasion. On June 17 a plaque to Patrick Ryan Hotel was erected on the wall of Jack Hotel’s premises. It reads as follows: 
1916 BIRTHS
Mary Hayes, Lisowen – 04/01/1916
William Joseph O’Brien, Clonteen – 12/01/1916
Thomas English, Gurtnageire – 25/01/1916
John Connell, Gurtavalla – 01/02/1916
Hanora Power, Gurtavalla – 10/02/1916
Michael Bowles, Coolbane – 11/02/1916
Bridget Mary Fox, Carnahalla – 13/02/1916
Bridget Mary Ryan, Doon – 23/02/1916
Patrick Reale, Clonlusk – 26/02/1916
Patrick Ryan, Cooga – 29/02/1916
Michael Joseph McNamara, Gurtnageire – 03/03/1916
Patrick Power, Kilmoylan – 17/03/1916
Denis Kennedy, Kilmoylan - 28/03/1916
John Grady, Doon East – 27/03/1916
Patrick Ryan, Doon – 01/04/1916
William English, Lacka – 05/04/1916
Hanora Mary Quirke, Carnahalla – 02/05/1916
Bridget Mary Deere, Doon – 09/05/1916
Hanora, Mary Bradshaw, Glengar – 11/05/1916
Mary Quirke, Carnahalla – 18/05/1916
Margaret Mary Ryan, Doon – 21/05/1916
Daniel Connors, Lacknagoneeney – 26/05/1916
Michael Ryan, Gurtnageire – 26/05/1916
Martin Connors, Foilacleara – 30/05/1916
Johanna Carey, Castlegarde – 07/06/1916
Edward Peter Hayes, Cooga – 27/06/1916
Miles Shanahan, Foilacleara – 11/07/1916
Thomas Hayes, Doon – 14/08/1916
Patrick Lonergan, Kilmoylan – 11/09/1916
William Cunningham. Ballycushowen – 16/09/1916
Anastasia Moore, Doon – 20/09/1916
Ellen Mary Hayes, Toher – 7/10/1916
Denis O’Donnell, Kilmoylan – 10/10/1916
Catherine Buckley, Cooga - ?/10/1916
Mary McNamara, Gurtnagarde - ?/10/1916
Bridget Mary Dee, Doon East – 24/10/1916
Bridget Murphy, Kilmoylan – 06/11/1916
Bridget Harding, Carrigbeg – 08/11/1916
Catherine Hammersley, Carnahalla – 30/11/1916
Nora Ryan, Doon – 11/12/1916
Margaret Mary Ryan, Reenavanna – 11/11/1916
John Christopher Madden, Kilmoylan – 15/12/1916
On April __ the day we in Doon commemorated the centenary of the Rising of 1916. At mass that morning a list of those who were born in 1916 in our parish was read out as were the marriages that took place in Doon that year.
1916 MARRIAGES
Thomas Bourke and Katie Ryan, Doon – 29/02/1916
Timothy Whelan, Doon and Katie Dwyer, Doon – 01/03/1916
Stephen Tierney, Doon and Mary K. Moloney, Doon – 01/03/1916
Michael Buckley, Cappawhite and Alice Harrigan, Doon – 04/03/1916
Daniel Kehoe, Oola and Mary Cummins, Doon – 04/03/1916
James Ryan, Doon and Mary Landers, Doon – 07/03/1916
Michael Ryan and Katie Hayes, Doon – 07/03/1916
Edmond Bibby and Bridget Maher, Doon – 17/03/1916
Denis Cronin, Doon and Ellen Walsh, Doon – 21/05/1916
Thomas Carroll, Kilcommon and Catherine Quigley, Doon – 03/09/1916
Edmond Duggan and Nora Dwyer, Doon – 13/09/1916
William Cunningham, Doon and Julia Keating, Doon – 16/09/1916
Thomas Dea, Kilmoylan and Ellie Clancy, Doon – 12/10/1916
William Ryan and Elizabeth Hammersley, Carnahalla – 18/10/1916
Michael Malone, Doon and Mary Ryan, Lacka – 29/11/1916
Michael Wall and Mary Ryan, Doon – 29/11/1916
Born in 1916
Though not born in Doon the late Fr. John McGrath, former P.P. of our parish was born in 1916 and when he died the following tribute to him by Fr. Tom Ryan P.P. appeared in Foundations a Diocesan magazine.
Fr. John McGrath, R.I.P.
By Tom Ryan P.P.
Fr John McGrath was born in Turaheen in the parish of Clonoulty-Rossmore on December 28 1916. He attended Rossmore National School and after his early education there, cycled to the C.B.S. Doon. Pushing a bad bike from Turaheen, or his aunt’s house in Annacarty to Doon on primitive roads for five years could be regarded as a hard bought education but a great preparation for a life in the priesthood.
When he left Doon in June 1934 little did he know that he would one day return as Parish Priest, make his home here for over twenty-one years and await the resurrection in the shadow of the Parish Church.
He went to St. Patrick’s College, Thurles for a year and entered Maynooth in September 1935 to begin a seven year course of studies. He was ordained there on June 21 1942 and was to serve God’s people as a priest for the next fifty-five years.
His first appointment was to Glastenbury in the diocese of Clifton where he served during the remaining war years and into the following year, 1946. He was then recalled to our diocese and sent to Ballinahinch – Kiloscully where he served for two years. From there he moved to Ballingarry and ministered there until 1965 when he moved to Gortnahoe for the next ten years. Finally, he arrived back in Doon in 1975 as Parish Priest.
He was fortunate to have been sent to Ballingarry as a young priest. There he met John Coady who was to have a big influence on his life. John introduced him to classical music, art and painting. Together they visited Dublin regularly to attend the opera and first exhibitions of young artists. So began Fr. John’s collection of paintings and his interest in classical music. He had no interest in hurling or football but his interest in music and painting he tried to share with as many as possible.
Apart from his musical evenings at home he endeavoured to interest the pupils of the schools in art and classical music. For some years he gave lectures to the students in St. Patrick’s College on his favourite subjects – classical music and art – as well as to other interested groups. He donated his collection to the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery which is the property of the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee. There they will be well looked after and open to the public.
His pessimism about the job prospects of school leavers sometimes caused him worry. He felt that not enough was being done to give young people interests and pastimes. He tried his best to give them his ideas of leisure enjoyment in the hope of saving them from the pubs as the only centres of recreation. For this reason, he gave very full support to the building of the Doon Community Centre, part of which is known as “The Father McGrath Hall”.
He was above all a gentle human being, a man of prayer who did his holy-hour after mass every day, serving God and his people in his quiet, humble way. May God have mercy on his gentle soul.
“We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10)
Died in 1916
8th January
Brother John Arsenius Ryan (1872-1916)
Baldoyle Nec.1917
Br. Arsenius Ryan was appointed the third Provincial of India after sudden death at sea of the much revered Br. Fabian Kenneally in 1914.He was baptised in Doon Parish 22nd December 1892 son of Daniel Ryan and Eliza Maher Carrickbeg sponsors John Maher and Hanna Ryan. Arsenius joined the Congregation in 1888.He accompanied Br. Fintan Lillis to India in 1894 and was never confortable when the story of their missing the boat in Madras was recalled, much to the amusement of the other Brothers. This mishap was an aberration, for Arsenius was highly organized person, thought out his plans for the coming day and kept strictly to them. This quality, together with a thorough knowledge of the subjects he taught made him an outstanding teacher. He spent the first few years in India in St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Calcutta, the latter under the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, Br. Stanislaus O’Brien. When he was appointed director of the CMO, his first task was to improve the living quarters of the Brothers, see that the sick were well attended to and that the Lay Brothers who supervised the boys and servants and worked in the kitchen had adequate time for rest and recreation. With the skil of a shrewd financier, he reorganized the running of the CMO Raffle, which had been started by Br. Poeman Hyde, and greatly augmented the income on which the 200 orphans depended. A few years later, he took charge of St. Joseph’s Calcutta. Here, once again, his innovation was put to practice with the introduction of the Cambridge Examinations in place of the local Bengal Board which was described as being `as changeable as the shifting sands of the Hoogly River`. In a couple of years, the Anglo-Indian community noted with pride and satisfaction that its youth were able to excel in that much hyped and over revered “home” examination. Throughout his stay in India Arsenius proved to be a great administrator and educator. It was the Director of Public Instruction of the United Provinces who invited him to attend the All India Conference on Education held in Simla. After a display of sound judgement and wisdom in his interventions, several of the delegates were eager to be introduced to the `smiling Irishman`. It was in 1910, when Arsenius was representing the Indian Province at the General Chapter in Dublin, the first symptoms of cancer appeared. If he brought his ample stock of wisdom and common sense to bear on the external life of a Christian Brother, he was no less zealous in employing it in his spiritual life. “By their fruits you shall now them”. Right through his sickness and several surgeries all spoke of Br. Arsenius` fortitude, unostentatious sanctity and resignation. Nature had endowed him with a happy and optimistic disposition. So, it is no wonder that despite his medical condition he was appointed Director of St. Jospeh`s college, Naini Tal, where he organized a fitting celebration for the College’s Silver Jubilee. He held his office till 1914 when he was appointed Provincial to the delight of the Brothers who saw in him a fitting successor to Br. Fabian. But the cancer reappeared and it was finally decided that Arsenius should go to England for radio therapy. After more than a month in Middlesex, England, the doctors felt they could do no more for him and he was sent to Baldoyle. A Sister from the Middlesex hospital wrote to a Brother in India,” Brother Ryan is the holiest man ii ever met. His strength is from above.” Arsenius tendered his resignation as Provincial. He wrote to a Brother: `God has been very good to me indeed, to give me timely notice of the end…. True, I would like to go home to die in India among the Brothers I love so well, but Got has decreed otherwise, and blessed be His Holy Name`. Arsenius passed to his reward on January 8th, Just short of his 44th birthday. May he rest in peace.
The Mother
By Pádraig Pearse
I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge
My two strong sons that I have seen go out
To break their strength and die, they and a few,
In bloody protest for a glorious thing,
They shall be spoken of among their people,
The generations shall remember them,
And call them blessed;
But I will speak their names to my own heart
In the long nights;
The little names that were familiar once
Round my dead hearth.
Lord, thou art hard on mothers:
We suffer in their coming and their going;
And tho' I grudge them not, I weary, weary
Of the long sorrow - And yet I have my joy:
My sons were faithful, and they fought.
I See His Blood Upon The Rose
By Joseph Plunkett
I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice-and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
The following story is from an old School Reader called Road to Reading – Intermediate. Published by the Educational Co. of Ireland in 1952 and illustrated by Eileen Coghlan. We think it is appropriate to include it on this the centenary of 1916.
The Story of Pearse
Pádraig Pearse, one of the greatest of Ireland’s heroes, and perhaps the best-loved of them, was a man of peace. He fought but one battle, and he died in it.
From his earliest youth, Pádraig Pearse made up his mind that he would live and die for Ireland. He loved his country with a great love.
To prepare himself for his great mission, he read the old stories and poems of Ireland, and learned all he could of her heroic past. Later, he went to Connemara year after year, and learned Irish there from the lips of the children.
Pearse set three great aims before him, and he lived to attain them. He wanted to publish a paper in Irish and English, so that the language of his country might live and prosper. He wanted to found a college where Irish boys would learn to love their country and glory in its past. Finally, he wanted to do one man’s part in setting Ireland free.
In his paper An Claideamh Soluis, he preached the doctrine of freedom. In his college of St Enda, at Rathfarnham, in Dublin, he taught his pupils to be loyal to God and to Ireland. In all things he was a teacher, and the lessons that he taught stirred the hearts of his countrymen.
Easter Monday, 1916, dawned bright and clear, and the people of Dublin were early astir. Soon the trains and trams were filled with holiday-makers eager to spend a day in the country or by the sea.
But in some Dublin houses, men in green uniforms were packing haver-sacks, not lunch-baskets. History was in the making and Pearse’s hour had come.
Presently, the tread of marching feet was heard in the streets, and the green-clad Volunteers were seen making their way towards the General Post Office. But, nobody paid much heed to them, until the sound of breaking glass was heard from the Post Office and the muzzles of rifles showed from its sand-bagged windows. Only then did Dublin realise that the rising had begun.
On that Easter Monday morning, a Proclamation was read by Pearse on the steps of the Post Office. “In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her tradition of nationhood,” it began, “Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.” This was the moment for which Pearse had worked and planned. The dream of his boyhood had come true.
For one short week, the crack of rifles and the spatter of machine guns was heard in the streets of Dublin. Then the big guns came into action, and shells from a gunboat on the Liffey set the Post Office on fire.
There was no point now in further resistance, and so, to avoid needless loss of life, Pearse decided to surrender. He and fourteen other leaders were sentenced to death, and the other Volunteers were sent as prisoners to England.
The Rising had failed, the world said; but the Rising was only beginning, and for every Volunteer imprisoned in England a dozen came forward. It was as if the voice of Custume had called again from the Bridge of Athlone. Pearse had not died in vain.
We can think of him as a child, hearing for the first time the history of his country, and vowing to serve her. We can think of him as a young man, learning Irish from the children of the west, and writing his stories and poems. We can think, too, of the gentle scholar and the iron-willed soldier, the man of peace and the man of war, standing erect and proud before the firing squad and giving thanks to God that his dream had come true.
He was the gentlest of Ireland’s heroes, and the bravest, and Ireland will never forget.
Convent Primary School Magazine
The following is an extract from Doon Convent National School’s Magazine. Each student describes a signatory of the Proclamation.
My name is Joseph Mary Plunkett, I signed the proclomation. I live in Dublin. I love to write poems and I am a journalist. My two brothers helped me in the war. I am a champion at roller skating. I go to the meeting at Eamon Ceannt’s house – By Avril Crowe
My name is Eamon Ceannt, I signed the proclamation. I love Irish. We had a plan at my house. I brought guns to Ireland on the Asgard. I died on May 8 1916 at the G.P.O – By Kyle Conway
My name is Pádraig Pearse. I signed the proclamation. I was born in Dublin. My brother Willie stood on top of the G.P.O. I love Irish. We went to Thomas Clarke’s house for meetings. Iam a teacher. I set up a school. I was executed on May 3 1916 – By Cian Hanrahan
My name is Thomas McDonagh. I signed the proclamation. I love Irish. I like poets. I am a teacher. I live in Tipperary. I was born in Cloughjordan. I work in Jacob’s biscuit factory. I died on May 3 1916 – By Grainne Ryan
My name is Seán MacDiarmada. I signed the proclamation. I was born in Leitrim. I made my own newspaper. I have polio. I need a cane to walk. I helped to plan the attack. I work in the G.P.O. I got executed on May 12 1916 – By Orla Hayes
My name is James Connolly. I signed the proclamation. I go to Eamon Ceannt’s house for secret meetings. I live in Scotland. I died May 12 1916. I got executed when I was blindfolded and tied to a chair – By Caimin Lynch
My name is Thomas Clarke. I signed the proclamation. I was born in England. I am against my Dad in the war. I am a shop-keeper – By Darren Kennedy
Comóradh an Chéid i nDún Bleisce
The famous Scottish poet Robbie Burns wrote the lines:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
So it was for our 1916 Commemmoration Ceremony. The day before it was a glorious sunny day and it was all systems go for a comprehensice programme of events. (See the brochure in the Colour Section).
Unfortunately, the designated Sunday was cold, windy and wet so holding the celebrations out of doors was out of the question. Luckily, Plan B: to hold them indoors in our spacious Community Centre worked a treat and the audience could enjoy the programme while seated in a warm hall. Thanks to all who made this possible.
Volunteers Students
Pakie Ryan (Hotel), Doon Bob Purcell 3rd year
William Mccarthy (Yank), Gurtavalla David Butler 5th year
Con Bourke, Doon Gerry O’Brien 5th year
Jack Ryan (Mahony), Doon Pádraig Ryan 5th year
Paddy Ryan (Mahony), Doon Jack Ryan 3rd year
Mick Clancy (Dr), Doon Eoin Doyle 3rd year
Dan Allis, Cooga Ben O’Dwyer 3rd year
John Morrissey, Bilboa formerly Glengar Rowan Treacy 3rd year
Mick Morrissey, Bilboa formerly Glengar Oisin Treacy 3rd year
Michael McCarthy, Gurtavalla Michael Slattery 3rd year
Mick Ryan (Minor), Gurtavalla Laura O’Riordan 2nd year
Rodge Moloney, Croughmorka Laura Murphy 2nd year
Brian Ryan (Frank), Croughmorka Laura Flanagan 2nd year
Paddy Shanahan, Lisowen Therese o’Dea
RIC Officer Jack Ryan
Doon’s part in the 1916 Rising
By Dr. Noreen Higgins McHugh
Background
The 1916 Rising took place mainly in Dublin city against the background of the First World War, which had begun in August 1914. As Belgium’s neutrality has been compromised by the Germans at the start of the war, some 35,000 to 40,000 Irish Volunteers answered John Redmond’s call to fight in the British army for the freedom of small nations. However, a small group of the Irish Volunteers believed that Irishmen should only fight for Ireland. They believed that Home Rule, promised after the end of the war, was too limited in its terms. They wished to break the political connection with Britain and believed that the best way to do so would be to have a rebellion.
The IRB, also known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood, had infiltrated the Irish Volunteers from its inception in November 1913. After the split in the Irish Volunteers in September 1914, the IRB became the dominant force in the remaining 2,000 - 3,000 Irish Volunteers. Unbeknownst to the leader of the Irish Volunteers, Eoin McNeill, the IRB controlled the executive of the Irish Volunteers and key positions among its personnel around the country. Throughout the remainder of 1914, 1915 and 1916, Sean MacDiarmada and others travelled around the country to build up the numbers of the Irish Volunteers. Consequently, it is estimated that Volunteer numbers had risen to 8000 -12000 by the time of the Easter Rising.
By May 1915, a secret military council within the Irish Volunteers had been established at the Dublin headquarters. It comprised of Pádraig Pearse, Joseph Plunkett and Eamonn Ceannt. They had been given the task of planning the proposed rebellion. Later, they were joined by Thomas Clarke and Sean MacDiarmada. James Connolly joined the military council in January 1916, having been persuaded to co-opt his 400 strong Citizens’ Army to the Volunteers’ rebellion. Eoin McNeill was not aware of the IRB involvement or of the secret military council within his Volunteer organisation or of their plans for rebellion.
A countrywide plan
The military council decided that the rebellion would start on Easter Sunday, 23 April 1916. The rebellion was to start across the country on this date. Joseph Plunkett drew up the country-wide plan. All Volunteer companies would mobilise on Easter Sunday, 23 April 1916 and travel to agreed locations and proceed to attack small rural RIC barracks to get arms and ammunition. They would also destroy telegraph and telephone lines and dig up railway lines to prevent the RIC and British troops from getting reinforcements from other areas of the country. Once successful, they would then attack the larger RIC and British army barracks in the towns and cities across the country, eventually converging on Dublin city. Meanwhile, the Dublin brigades were to rise in Dublin and hold strategic buildings in the city until they were relieved by Volunteers from the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, Roger Casement travelled to Germany to secure both men and arms for the proposed rebellion. Although he failed in his attempts to attract large numbers of Irish POW in German army camps to join his Irish Brigade to fight in the forthcoming rebellion, he succeeded in getting 20,000 rifles, 10 machine guns and a million rounds of ammunition from the Germans. These arms were transported on board ‘the Aud’ which arrived in Tralee Bay on Good Friday, 21 April 1916. However a series of mishaps led to the arrest of Casement on Banna Strand later that day and the capture of the ‘Aud’ on Holy Saturday. As the ‘Aud’ was escorted by the two British vessels into Cobh harbour, the captain scuttled his ship, sending its cargo to the bottom of the sea.
McNeill’s countermanding order
On learning of the sinking of the ‘Aud’ and the capture of Casement, Eoin McNeill decided that a rising would be futile. After yet another argument with Pearse, he decided to issue a countermanding order to prevent the mobilisation of the Irish Volunteers on Easter Sunday and thereby prevent the Rising. McNeill sent the O’Rahilly down with his countermanding order to Tipperary and Limerick city on Easter Sunday that all parades and meetings of the Irish Volunteers were to be cancelled.
Confusion on Easter Sunday
Consequently, there was much confusion throughout Limerick that Easter Sunday morning. Commander Charles Wall mobilised 150 men near Glenquin Castle, west Limerick at 3pm that Easter Sunday. They were eventually disbanded at 7pm that evening. Limerick Area Commander Michael Colivert and 200 Volunteers mobilised in Limerick city and marched out to Killaloan where 100 Volunteers camped overnight until Easter Monday. However, on learning that the rising had happened in Dublin, Colivert disbanded his men in view of their small number and the capture of the ‘Aud’.
Thirty Volunteers also mobilised in Doon that Easter Sunday, travelling by cart and bike to Castleconnell where they meet other Volunteer companies from Killaloan, Caherconlish, Cappamore and Murroe. It is estimated that about 150 to 400 men were assembled at Castleconnell that day. Although they waited for further orders from the Commander Colivert, they were demobilized by the evening time and returned to Doon.
By late afternoon on Easter Monday, news of the Dublin Rising had reached Volunteer companies in counties Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Cork. Despite the best efforts of Sean Treacy and William McCarthy of Doon to persuade both the Limerick and Tipperary Volunteers to come out in sympathy with their Dublin comrades, there was no further mobilisation of the Volunteers during Easter Week.
Conclusion
The Dublin Rising lasted six days. It began at noon on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916. A number of prominent buildings were taken across the city, including the GPO, Boland’s Mills, Jacobs’ Biscuits’ Factory, the Four Courts, City Hall, the College of Surgeons, the Mendicity Hall, the Jamestown Distillery and the South Dublin Union. Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation in front of the GPO announcing the founding of an Irish Republic. The tricolour of green, white and orange replaced the usual Union Jack flag on the flagpole on the roof of the GPO. Also fluttering on another flagpole at the GPO was a green flag with the words ‘Irish Republic’. The starry plough flag of the Citizens’ Army flew from the top of the nearby Imperial Hotel.
Limerick men were prominent among the 1916 Commandants. Eamonn De Valera and Edward Daly were Commandants of Boland’s Mills and the Four Courts respectively while Con Colbert was in charge of Volunteers stationed at the Jameson’s Distillery on Marrowbone Lane. By Saturday 29 April 1916, Pearse, Connolly and McDonagh had signed an order for the unconditional surrender of the Volunteers across the city. This led to the surrender of all garrisons across Dublin and the subsequent court-martials of the leaders of the 1916 Rising and the execution of fifteen of its leaders. These executions would eventually ignite the desire of the Irish people for a full and independent republic which would find expression in the subsequent War of Independence, 1919-1921.
Well done to Con Horrigan for the wonderful window display of his memorobilia of immense historical interest. It captivated all onlookers and greatly added to the occasion.
On June 17 a plaque to Patrick Ryan Hotel was erected on the wall of Jack Hotel’s premises. It reads as follows:
1916 BIRTHS
Mary Hayes, Lisowen – 04/01/1916
William Joseph O’Brien, Clonteen – 12/01/1916
Thomas English, Gurtnageire – 25/01/1916
John Connell, Gurtavalla – 01/02/1916
Hanora Power, Gurtavalla – 10/02/1916
Michael Bowles, Coolbane – 11/02/1916
Bridget Mary Fox, Carnahalla – 13/02/1916
Bridget Mary Ryan, Doon – 23/02/1916
Patrick Reale, Clonlusk – 26/02/1916
Patrick Ryan, Cooga – 29/02/1916
Michael Joseph McNamara, Gurtnageire – 03/03/1916
Patrick Power, Kilmoylan – 17/03/1916
Denis Kennedy, Kilmoylan - 28/03/1916
John Grady, Doon East – 27/03/1916
Patrick Ryan, Doon – 01/04/1916
William English, Lacka – 05/04/1916
Hanora Mary Quirke, Carnahalla – 02/05/1916
Bridget Mary Deere, Doon – 09/05/1916
Hanora, Mary Bradshaw, Glengar – 11/05/1916
Mary Quirke, Carnahalla – 18/05/1916
Margaret Mary Ryan, Doon – 21/05/1916
Daniel Connors, Lacknagoneeney – 26/05/1916
Michael Ryan, Gurtnageire – 26/05/1916
Martin Connors, Foilacleara – 30/05/1916
Johanna Carey, Castlegarde – 07/06/1916
Edward Peter Hayes, Cooga – 27/06/1916
Miles Shanahan, Foilacleara – 11/07/1916
Thomas Hayes, Doon – 14/08/1916
Patrick Lonergan, Kilmoylan – 11/09/1916
William Cunningham. Ballycushowen – 16/09/1916
Anastasia Moore, Doon – 20/09/1916
Ellen Mary Hayes, Toher – 7/10/1916
Denis O’Donnell, Kilmoylan – 10/10/1916
Catherine Buckley, Cooga - ?/10/1916
Mary McNamara, Gurtnagarde - ?/10/1916
Bridget Mary Dee, Doon East – 24/10/1916
Bridget Murphy, Kilmoylan – 06/11/1916
Bridget Harding, Carrigbeg – 08/11/1916
Catherine Hammersley, Carnahalla – 30/11/1916
Nora Ryan, Doon – 11/12/1916
Margaret Mary Ryan, Reenavanna – 11/11/1916
John Christopher Madden, Kilmoylan – 15/12/1916
On April __ the day we in Doon commemorated the centenary of the Rising of 1916. At mass that morning a list of those who were born in 1916 in our parish was read out as were the marriages that took place in Doon that year.
1916 MARRIAGES
Thomas Bourke and Katie Ryan, Doon – 29/02/1916
Timothy Whelan, Doon and Katie Dwyer, Doon – 01/03/1916
Stephen Tierney, Doon and Mary K. Moloney, Doon – 01/03/1916
Michael Buckley, Cappawhite and Alice Harrigan, Doon – 04/03/1916
Daniel Kehoe, Oola and Mary Cummins, Doon – 04/03/1916
James Ryan, Doon and Mary Landers, Doon – 07/03/1916
Michael Ryan and Katie Hayes, Doon – 07/03/1916
Edmond Bibby and Bridget Maher, Doon – 17/03/1916
Denis Cronin, Doon and Ellen Walsh, Doon – 21/05/1916
Thomas Carroll, Kilcommon and Catherine Quigley, Doon – 03/09/1916
Edmond Duggan and Nora Dwyer, Doon – 13/09/1916
William Cunningham, Doon and Julia Keating, Doon – 16/09/1916
Thomas Dea, Kilmoylan and Ellie Clancy, Doon – 12/10/1916
William Ryan and Elizabeth Hammersley, Carnahalla – 18/10/1916
Michael Malone, Doon and Mary Ryan, Lacka – 29/11/1916
Michael Wall and Mary Ryan, Doon – 29/11/1916
Born in 1916
Though not born in Doon the late Fr. John McGrath, former P.P. of our parish was born in 1916 and when he died the following tribute to him by Fr. Tom Ryan P.P. appeared in Foundations a Diocesan magazine.
Fr. John McGrath, R.I.P.
By Tom Ryan P.P.
Fr John McGrath was born in Turaheen in the parish of Clonoulty-Rossmore on December 28 1916. He attended Rossmore National School and after his early education there, cycled to the C.B.S. Doon. Pushing a bad bike from Turaheen, or his aunt’s house in Annacarty to Doon on primitive roads for five years could be regarded as a hard bought education but a great preparation for a life in the priesthood.
When he left Doon in June 1934 little did he know that he would one day return as Parish Priest, make his home here for over twenty-one years and await the resurrection in the shadow of the Parish Church.
He went to St. Patrick’s College, Thurles for a year and entered Maynooth in September 1935 to begin a seven year course of studies. He was ordained there on June 21 1942 and was to serve God’s people as a priest for the next fifty-five years.
His first appointment was to Glastenbury in the diocese of Clifton where he served during the remaining war years and into the following year, 1946. He was then recalled to our diocese and sent to Ballinahinch – Kiloscully where he served for two years. From there he moved to Ballingarry and ministered there until 1965 when he moved to Gortnahoe for the next ten years. Finally, he arrived back in Doon in 1975 as Parish Priest.
He was fortunate to have been sent to Ballingarry as a young priest. There he met John Coady who was to have a big influence on his life. John introduced him to classical music, art and painting. Together they visited Dublin regularly to attend the opera and first exhibitions of young artists. So began Fr. John’s collection of paintings and his interest in classical music. He had no interest in hurling or football but his interest in music and painting he tried to share with as many as possible.
Apart from his musical evenings at home he endeavoured to interest the pupils of the schools in art and classical music. For some years he gave lectures to the students in St. Patrick’s College on his favourite subjects – classical music and art – as well as to other interested groups. He donated his collection to the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery which is the property of the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee. There they will be well looked after and open to the public.
His pessimism about the job prospects of school leavers sometimes caused him worry. He felt that not enough was being done to give young people interests and pastimes. He tried his best to give them his ideas of leisure enjoyment in the hope of saving them from the pubs as the only centres of recreation. For this reason, he gave very full support to the building of the Doon Community Centre, part of which is known as “The Father McGrath Hall”.
He was above all a gentle human being, a man of prayer who did his holy-hour after mass every day, serving God and his people in his quiet, humble way. May God have mercy on his gentle soul.
“We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10)
Died in 1916
8th January
Brother John Arsenius Ryan (1872-1916)
Baldoyle Nec.1917
Br. Arsenius Ryan was appointed the third Provincial of India after sudden death at sea of the much revered Br. Fabian Kenneally in 1914.He was baptised in Doon Parish 22nd December 1892 son of Daniel Ryan and Eliza Maher Carrickbeg sponsors John Maher and Hanna Ryan. Arsenius joined the Congregation in 1888.He accompanied Br. Fintan Lillis to India in 1894 and was never confortable when the story of their missing the boat in Madras was recalled, much to the amusement of the other Brothers. This mishap was an aberration, for Arsenius was highly organized person, thought out his plans for the coming day and kept strictly to them. This quality, together with a thorough knowledge of the subjects he taught made him an outstanding teacher. He spent the first few years in India in St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Calcutta, the latter under the ‘Grand Old Man of India’, Br. Stanislaus O’Brien. When he was appointed director of the CMO, his first task was to improve the living quarters of the Brothers, see that the sick were well attended to and that the Lay Brothers who supervised the boys and servants and worked in the kitchen had adequate time for rest and recreation. With the skil of a shrewd financier, he reorganized the running of the CMO Raffle, which had been started by Br. Poeman Hyde, and greatly augmented the income on which the 200 orphans depended. A few years later, he took charge of St. Joseph’s Calcutta. Here, once again, his innovation was put to practice with the introduction of the Cambridge Examinations in place of the local Bengal Board which was described as being `as changeable as the shifting sands of the Hoogly River`. In a couple of years, the Anglo-Indian community noted with pride and satisfaction that its youth were able to excel in that much hyped and over revered “home” examination. Throughout his stay in India Arsenius proved to be a great administrator and educator. It was the Director of Public Instruction of the United Provinces who invited him to attend the All India Conference on Education held in Simla. After a display of sound judgement and wisdom in his interventions, several of the delegates were eager to be introduced to the `smiling Irishman`. It was in 1910, when Arsenius was representing the Indian Province at the General Chapter in Dublin, the first symptoms of cancer appeared. If he brought his ample stock of wisdom and common sense to bear on the external life of a Christian Brother, he was no less zealous in employing it in his spiritual life. “By their fruits you shall now them”. Right through his sickness and several surgeries all spoke of Br. Arsenius` fortitude, unostentatious sanctity and resignation. Nature had endowed him with a happy and optimistic disposition. So, it is no wonder that despite his medical condition he was appointed Director of St. Jospeh`s college, Naini Tal, where he organized a fitting celebration for the College’s Silver Jubilee. He held his office till 1914 when he was appointed Provincial to the delight of the Brothers who saw in him a fitting successor to Br. Fabian. But the cancer reappeared and it was finally decided that Arsenius should go to England for radio therapy. After more than a month in Middlesex, England, the doctors felt they could do no more for him and he was sent to Baldoyle. A Sister from the Middlesex hospital wrote to a Brother in India,” Brother Ryan is the holiest man ii ever met. His strength is from above.” Arsenius tendered his resignation as Provincial. He wrote to a Brother: `God has been very good to me indeed, to give me timely notice of the end…. True, I would like to go home to die in India among the Brothers I love so well, but Got has decreed otherwise, and blessed be His Holy Name`. Arsenius passed to his reward on January 8th, Just short of his 44th birthday. May he rest in peace.
The Mother
By Pádraig Pearse
I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge
My two strong sons that I have seen go out
To break their strength and die, they and a few,
In bloody protest for a glorious thing,
They shall be spoken of among their people,
The generations shall remember them,
And call them blessed;
But I will speak their names to my own heart
In the long nights;
The little names that were familiar once
Round my dead hearth.
Lord, thou art hard on mothers:
We suffer in their coming and their going;
And tho' I grudge them not, I weary, weary
Of the long sorrow - And yet I have my joy:
My sons were faithful, and they fought.
I See His Blood Upon The Rose
By Joseph Plunkett
I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice-and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
The following story is from an old School Reader called Road to Reading – Intermediate. Published by the Educational Co. of Ireland in 1952 and illustrated by Eileen Coghlan. We think it is appropriate to include it on this the centenary of 1916.
The Story of Pearse
Pádraig Pearse, one of the greatest of Ireland’s heroes, and perhaps the best-loved of them, was a man of peace. He fought but one battle, and he died in it.
From his earliest youth, Pádraig Pearse made up his mind that he would live and die for Ireland. He loved his country with a great love.
To prepare himself for his great mission, he read the old stories and poems of Ireland, and learned all he could of her heroic past. Later, he went to Connemara year after year, and learned Irish there from the lips of the children.
Pearse set three great aims before him, and he lived to attain them. He wanted to publish a paper in Irish and English, so that the language of his country might live and prosper. He wanted to found a college where Irish boys would learn to love their country and glory in its past. Finally, he wanted to do one man’s part in setting Ireland free.
In his paper An Claideamh Soluis, he preached the doctrine of freedom. In his college of St Enda, at Rathfarnham, in Dublin, he taught his pupils to be loyal to God and to Ireland. In all things he was a teacher, and the lessons that he taught stirred the hearts of his countrymen.
Easter Monday, 1916, dawned bright and clear, and the people of Dublin were early astir. Soon the trains and trams were filled with holiday-makers eager to spend a day in the country or by the sea.
But in some Dublin houses, men in green uniforms were packing haver-sacks, not lunch-baskets. History was in the making and Pearse’s hour had come.
Presently, the tread of marching feet was heard in the streets, and the green-clad Volunteers were seen making their way towards the General Post Office. But, nobody paid much heed to them, until the sound of breaking glass was heard from the Post Office and the muzzles of rifles showed from its sand-bagged windows. Only then did Dublin realise that the rising had begun.
On that Easter Monday morning, a Proclamation was read by Pearse on the steps of the Post Office. “In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her tradition of nationhood,” it began, “Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.” This was the moment for which Pearse had worked and planned. The dream of his boyhood had come true.
For one short week, the crack of rifles and the spatter of machine guns was heard in the streets of Dublin. Then the big guns came into action, and shells from a gunboat on the Liffey set the Post Office on fire.
There was no point now in further resistance, and so, to avoid needless loss of life, Pearse decided to surrender. He and fourteen other leaders were sentenced to death, and the other Volunteers were sent as prisoners to England.
The Rising had failed, the world said; but the Rising was only beginning, and for every Volunteer imprisoned in England a dozen came forward. It was as if the voice of Custume had called again from the Bridge of Athlone. Pearse had not died in vain.
We can think of him as a child, hearing for the first time the history of his country, and vowing to serve her. We can think of him as a young man, learning Irish from the children of the west, and writing his stories and poems. We can think, too, of the gentle scholar and the iron-willed soldier, the man of peace and the man of war, standing erect and proud before the firing squad and giving thanks to God that his dream had come true.
He was the gentlest of Ireland’s heroes, and the bravest, and Ireland will never forget.
Convent Primary School Magazine
The following is an extract from Doon Convent National School’s Magazine. Each student describes a signatory of the Proclamation.
My name is Joseph Mary Plunkett, I signed the proclomation. I live in Dublin. I love to write poems and I am a journalist. My two brothers helped me in the war. I am a champion at roller skating. I go to the meeting at Eamon Ceannt’s house – By Avril Crowe
My name is Eamon Ceannt, I signed the proclamation. I love Irish. We had a plan at my house. I brought guns to Ireland on the Asgard. I died on May 8 1916 at the G.P.O – By Kyle Conway
My name is Pádraig Pearse. I signed the proclamation. I was born in Dublin. My brother Willie stood on top of the G.P.O. I love Irish. We went to Thomas Clarke’s house for meetings. Iam a teacher. I set up a school. I was executed on May 3 1916 – By Cian Hanrahan
My name is Thomas McDonagh. I signed the proclamation. I love Irish. I like poets. I am a teacher. I live in Tipperary. I was born in Cloughjordan. I work in Jacob’s biscuit factory. I died on May 3 1916 – By Grainne Ryan
My name is Seán MacDiarmada. I signed the proclamation. I was born in Leitrim. I made my own newspaper. I have polio. I need a cane to walk. I helped to plan the attack. I work in the G.P.O. I got executed on May 12 1916 – By Orla Hayes
My name is James Connolly. I signed the proclamation. I go to Eamon Ceannt’s house for secret meetings. I live in Scotland. I died May 12 1916. I got executed when I was blindfolded and tied to a chair – By Caimin Lynch
My name is Thomas Clarke. I signed the proclamation. I was born in England. I am against my Dad in the war. I am a shop-keeper – By Darren Kennedy