Pádraig Pearse (1879 – 1916) - Teacher, Poet, & Irish Nationalist

Patrick Henry Pearse (Pádraig Anraí Mac Piarais) was born in Dublin on 10th November, 1879  to James Pearse and Margaret Brady.

His father was a stonemason and sculptor who had his own business on 27 Great Brunswick Street. Pearse’s mother was a politician who joined the left-wing republican political party Sinn Féin in her later years.

Patrick Pearse was greatly influenced by his mother who was once a teacher. He achieved a BA in modern languages (Irish, French and English), studied at the University College Dublin and enrolled as a Barrister-at-Law at the King’s Inns.

He spoke Irish from an early age and became a member of the Gaelic League (Conradh na nGaeilge). By the age of 23, he became the editor for the league’s newspaper An Claidheamh Soluis which means The Sword of Light.

Knowing how important the Irish language was for the sake of Irish identity, Pearse had established a school that sought to spread the Irish language and liberate Irish minds.

Pádraig got involved with the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). He was promoted to Irish Volunteers’ Director of Military Organisation, and he was the highest-ranking member of the IRB in 1914.

The IRB wanted the removal of British interests in Ireland and for a Republic to be established. Pádraig Pearse climbed the ranks of the Irish Republican Brotherhood because of his passion towards his Irish culture and determination to see a Republic.

On April 24, 1916, Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Irish Republic to the volunteers at the General Post Office in Dublin. Patrick Pearse was the main voice behind commanding the volunteers in maneuvering throughout the country, announcing the beginning of the Easter Uprising. 
 
Patrick Pearse was given the baton by the leading members of IRB and became the president of the republic. The following week saw battles in the streets which caused great loss of life and property.
 
With scores of civilians, including women and children, being shot and killed, an order of surrender was issued on the 29th of April. The order was signed by Pearse and Connolly, which read…
 
“In order to prevent the further slaughter of Dublin citizens, and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, the members of the Provisional Government at Headquarters have agreed to unconditional surrender, and the Commandants of the various districts in the City and Country will order their commands to lay down arms.”
 
Patrick Pearse was court martialled on the 2nd of May, 1916 where he was transported to Kilmainham Gaol to be executed by firing squad the next morning. It is said that he whistled as he walked out of his cell and on his way to his execution.