Willie Pearse
Willie Pearse | |
---|---|
Born | Dublin, Ireland | 15 November 1881
Died | 4 May 1916 Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, Ireland | (aged 34)
Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
Allegiance | Irish Volunteers |
Years of service | 1913–1916 |
Battles/wars | Easter Rising |
William James Pearse (Irish: Uilliam Seamus Mac Piarais; 15 November 1881 – 4 May 1916)[1] was an Irish republican executed for his part in the Easter Rising. He was a younger brother of Patrick Pearse, a leader of the rising.
Background
Willie Pearse was born in Dublin and throughout his life lived in the shadow of his brother to whom he was devoted and with whom he formed a particularly close relationship.[2]
Pearse inherited his father's artistic abilities and became a sculptor. He was educated at the
Easter Rising
Pearse followed his brother into the
On 3 May, Pearse was granted permission to visit his brother in Kilmainham Gaol, to see him for the final time. However, while Willie was en route, Patrick was executed first. Willie was executed on 4 May. He and his brother were the only two brothers to be executed after the Easter Rising.
Commemoration
There are many more public
Brothers Pearse Athletic Club, founded in Rathfarnham, is named after the two brothers.
Willie Pearse Park in Crumlin, opened in 1949, is named after him.[5]
A number of Gaelic Athletic Association clubs and playing fields are named after both Pearses, and at least one after Willie:
- Armagh: Annaghmore Pearses GAC; Pearse Óg GAC and its grounds, Pearse Óg Park, Armagh
- Cork: CLG Na Piarsaigh, Cork
- Dublin: Willie Pearse Park, the grounds of Crumlin GAA
- Kerry: Dromid Pearses GAC; Kilflynn Pearses HC (defunct)
- Limerick: CLG Na Piarsaigh, Limerick
- Louth: CPG Na Piarsaigh, Dundalk
- Ballybay Pearse Brothers, and its grounds, Pearse Park
- Dregish Pearse Og GAC; Fintona Pearses GAC; and Galbally Pearses GAC
- Wicklow: Pearses' Park, Arklow
- London: Brother Pearse's GAC, London
- Yorkshire: Brothers Pearse GAC, Huddersfield
References
- ISBN 0-7076-0101-0, pg.76
- ^ Seán Farrell Moran, Patrick Pearse and the Politics of Redemption, 1994
- ^ McEvoy, Dermot (24 April 2016). "Easter Rising leader executed in 1916: William Pearse". IrishCentral. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- RootsWeb
- ^ "Willie Pearse Park". 22 May 2018.
- Ní Ghairbhí, Róisín, Willie Pearse, Dublin: O'Brien Press, 2015.