Key Personality – Patrick Pearse
Patrick Pearse
Patrick Pearse was born in Dublin in 1879. He was interested in Irish language and culture.
He joined the Gaelic League in 1895 and became editor of it’s paper.
Pearse supported Home Rule in 1912 but he was convinced that Britain would never simply give Ireland independence.
When the Irish Volunteers were founded he joined and was elected to its Provisional Committee.
Pearse went to America in 1914 and while there became convinced that a rebellion was necessary to achieve independence.
When the Irish Volunteers split over World War One Pearse become one of the leaders of those opposed to helping Britain in the war.
In 1915 he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
He helped organise the Easter Rising in 1916. Pearse was one of the seven people who signed the Proclamation.
After the Rising he was executed in Kilmainham Jail.
