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16 Lives
16 lives: Patrick Pearse
Patrick Pearse was born in Dublin and spent many summers in Rosmuc in Galway learning Irish. He established a school for boys, St. Enda’s School, where children could learn about Irish culture and language.
The public face of the 1916 Rising, Pearse was in charge of the General Post Office (G.P.O.). When the British army overpowered the Irish rebels, it was Pearse who ordered their general surrender in order to save further loss of life. He was tried and executed by a firing squad in Kilmainham Jail on the 3rd of May 1916.
The public face of the 1916 Rising, Pearse was in charge of the General Post Office (G.P.O.). When the British army overpowered the Irish rebels, it was Pearse who ordered their general surrender in order to save further loss of life. He was tried and executed by a firing squad in Kilmainham Jail on the 3rd of May 1916.
336 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2016
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About the author
Ruán O'Donnell
28 books6 followersRUAN O'DONNELL is head of the History Department at the University of Limerick & the official historian of the Robert Emmet Association. He has written for The Irish Times and several historical publications.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 13, 2019
This book about the President of the ill-fated Irish Republic declared in 1916 is the last book published in O’Brien Press’ series “16 Lives,” a centenary commemoration of the martyred rebels of “The Easter Rising.” It is a valuable, informative series. Pity it didn’t end with a better book.
Oh, the book itself isn’t bad, not really. It just didn’t tell me what I wanted to know.
I was familiar with the shy, intense schoolmaster Padraig Pearse, founder and head of St. Enda’s, a secondary school promoting Irish language and culture. I knew he was a fiery nationalist orator and a fanatical believer in “blood sacrifice” who nevertheless treated his students with gentleness and tolerance. I knew he was devoted to his mother and his brother Willie, and was painfully shy around women. I knew he had been chosen by the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood as the “front man” for the revolution, while Thomas Clarke and Sean MacDiarmada quietly organized behind the scenes.
The book taught me many things I did not know. I was not aware that St. Enda’s itself was a hub of revolutionary preparations, including bomb-making, and that its alumni—and a few of its older students too--were active participants in its terrorist activities. I also learned that Pearse was more than the Dublin figurehead I thought he might be. Author O’Donnell does an excellent job painstakingly documenting his travels throughout Ireland on speaking engagements and his clandestine correspondents with the revolutionaries in the West.
What O’Donnell did not do, however, was create a life-like portrait of Pearse the man, In other volumes of the “16 Lives” series—particularly in the biographies of brother Willie and Padraig’s friend and fellow teacher McDonagh—I caught glimpses of his painful shyness, his attachment to family and friends, his fondness for poetry and his fierce revolutionary devotion. I was looking for more of that here, for I wanted to know the man better. Unfortunately for me—and the book—I did not find it.
July 7, 2016
This is a surprisingly uneven biography of one of the most interesting men in Irish history. It draws from a wide breadth of private papers and recollections, official documents, and newspapers. The problem is that while the information is solid, the text itself was something of a let down.
I was disappointed in how rushed the coverage was of his early life- Pearse died at age 36 but I would estimate that only about one third of the book pertains to his life from birth through age thirty. The remaining sections provide a detailed recounting of the planning and execution of the Rising itself. Though this is undoubtedly the most famous period of his life, O'Donnell spends large chunks of it following everything that was happening around Pearse instead of to him. There were times when I felt like I was reading a blow-by-blow of random accounts of the Rising instead of a Pearse biography. It also relies so heavily on directly quoting source material even for the smallest unnecessary phrases as to be both tedious and distracting.
The concluding chapter, however, is where the writing excels. It sticks with Pearse from the ending of the Rising to his death and provides an assessment of his character. My only wish is that the rest of the book was as well constructed as its final chapter.
I was disappointed in how rushed the coverage was of his early life- Pearse died at age 36 but I would estimate that only about one third of the book pertains to his life from birth through age thirty. The remaining sections provide a detailed recounting of the planning and execution of the Rising itself. Though this is undoubtedly the most famous period of his life, O'Donnell spends large chunks of it following everything that was happening around Pearse instead of to him. There were times when I felt like I was reading a blow-by-blow of random accounts of the Rising instead of a Pearse biography. It also relies so heavily on directly quoting source material even for the smallest unnecessary phrases as to be both tedious and distracting.
The concluding chapter, however, is where the writing excels. It sticks with Pearse from the ending of the Rising to his death and provides an assessment of his character. My only wish is that the rest of the book was as well constructed as its final chapter.
May 25, 2016
The 16 Lives Series consists of 16 individual books written by 16 separate authors about the 16 men murdered by the British in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising. The rebellion itself was not successful as the rebel leaders surrendered after 5 days and nights of hot fighting and only did so due to the fact they were very outnumbered and out supplied...and that the British were murdering civilians in their houses and on the streets. The latter point should not surprise you if you know anything about British colonial history...pretty routine for the sassanach.
This book was the last in the series and was written by one of the series editors and the world's leading historian of revolutionary and Republican Ireland, Dr. Ruan O'Donnell. Many historians in his field are either paid by or otherwise beholding to the state, and, as such, are habitual revisionists. Dr. O'Donnell is the bane of their campaigns of falsity.
For too long, decades..., these revisionists have tried to marginalize Pearse as some sort of Catholic or Celtic fanatic hell bent on sacrificing himself and the blood of his men on the already stained altar of Irish Freedom. While it is true that Pearse was something of a romantic, that he did value the sacrifices of the men and woman of the cause that came before him, that he was willing to die if necessary, it is nothing less than character assassination to say or imply that this was all to him.
Dr. O'Donnell's book hits this head on. By the end, you are fully aware that not only was Pearse a schoolteacher and poet, where the revisionists stop, but he was also a dedicated Fenian, administrator, strategist, and communicator. A brilliant and well respected leader of men and women.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood...not only founded Clan na Gael, the Gaelic Athletic League, The Irish Volunteers, The Gaelic League, the Dungannon Clubs, the IRA, and so much more, they also found and empowered Patrick Pearse, who, in turn, helped empower the IRB to finally strike for freedom after decades of secret planning under the vigilant and watchful eye of a colonial oppressor who still illegally occupies 6 of Ireland's 32 counties. Beir bua!
This book was the last in the series and was written by one of the series editors and the world's leading historian of revolutionary and Republican Ireland, Dr. Ruan O'Donnell. Many historians in his field are either paid by or otherwise beholding to the state, and, as such, are habitual revisionists. Dr. O'Donnell is the bane of their campaigns of falsity.
For too long, decades..., these revisionists have tried to marginalize Pearse as some sort of Catholic or Celtic fanatic hell bent on sacrificing himself and the blood of his men on the already stained altar of Irish Freedom. While it is true that Pearse was something of a romantic, that he did value the sacrifices of the men and woman of the cause that came before him, that he was willing to die if necessary, it is nothing less than character assassination to say or imply that this was all to him.
Dr. O'Donnell's book hits this head on. By the end, you are fully aware that not only was Pearse a schoolteacher and poet, where the revisionists stop, but he was also a dedicated Fenian, administrator, strategist, and communicator. A brilliant and well respected leader of men and women.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood...not only founded Clan na Gael, the Gaelic Athletic League, The Irish Volunteers, The Gaelic League, the Dungannon Clubs, the IRA, and so much more, they also found and empowered Patrick Pearse, who, in turn, helped empower the IRB to finally strike for freedom after decades of secret planning under the vigilant and watchful eye of a colonial oppressor who still illegally occupies 6 of Ireland's 32 counties. Beir bua!
March 24, 2020
Very interesting subject but the writing is rather wooden.
April 17, 2016
For the centenary celebrations of the Easter Rising, a lot of new books on the subject are being published. One major set of new releases I saw pretty much all over Ireland when I was there was a series of biographies called 16 Lives, the lives in question being the sixteen leaders of the Easter Rising who were executed in its aftermath. I was tempted to buy all sixteen, but a) that would have been expensive and b) trying to get them all home on the plane would have been awful, especially considering how much other stuff I bought. So I settled for just getting the one on Padraic Pearse -- simply titled 16 Lives: Patrick Pearse, because for some reason they thought the English name was better -- by Ruan O'Donnell.
The book is both well sourced and written in a straightforward, accessible style, but I still bounced off it a bit more than I was expecting to, which was disappointing. I pretty much only have one gripe with the book, but it's a pretty significant one, in that it's "the structure of the entire book." I wanted more material on the development of Pearse's life and career before all the Rising stuff that has been so amply covered elsewhere. My favorite sections of the book were the first two chapters, one on "The Young Pearse" and one on "Republican Politics" that covered the establishment of his career, but after that it slowed down for me a lot -- there are three chapters on the planning and the events leading up to Easter Monday, then a chapter on Easter Week and a chapter on its aftermath, then it ends. The aftermath chapter is gruesomely interesting, but I definitely felt like the story that was being told had far too much middle and not enough setup.
That said, the picture of Pearse that develops in the book is fascinating and human -- committedly idealistic but with a strong pragmatic streak; progressive but devoutly Catholic; a future-oriented man with a strong (if hilariously romanticized) sense of Ireland's history. Buried under the shmaltzy Edwardian dramatics of his writing, there even lurks an occasional sense of humor. He also managed the trick of being highly accomplished in a number of different fields, all of which manage to come together into seeming like one big project. He must have been a very, very interesting person to actually meet.
The book is both well sourced and written in a straightforward, accessible style, but I still bounced off it a bit more than I was expecting to, which was disappointing. I pretty much only have one gripe with the book, but it's a pretty significant one, in that it's "the structure of the entire book." I wanted more material on the development of Pearse's life and career before all the Rising stuff that has been so amply covered elsewhere. My favorite sections of the book were the first two chapters, one on "The Young Pearse" and one on "Republican Politics" that covered the establishment of his career, but after that it slowed down for me a lot -- there are three chapters on the planning and the events leading up to Easter Monday, then a chapter on Easter Week and a chapter on its aftermath, then it ends. The aftermath chapter is gruesomely interesting, but I definitely felt like the story that was being told had far too much middle and not enough setup.
That said, the picture of Pearse that develops in the book is fascinating and human -- committedly idealistic but with a strong pragmatic streak; progressive but devoutly Catholic; a future-oriented man with a strong (if hilariously romanticized) sense of Ireland's history. Buried under the shmaltzy Edwardian dramatics of his writing, there even lurks an occasional sense of humor. He also managed the trick of being highly accomplished in a number of different fields, all of which manage to come together into seeming like one big project. He must have been a very, very interesting person to actually meet.
March 18, 2019
Patrick Pearse grew up in the time where there was restlessness in Ireland: many Irish people were becoming weary of the British rule, but few dared to go against them. Patrick however, decided it was time for action; time for the Irish to 'make their own name' and have independence. He was a man who had much potential, however his actions, and his end were tragic. This book gives a more in-depth look at the politics of Ireland leading up to the rebellion, than the man himself. Some glimpses of his character are made throughout, but unless you know Irish politics, it's easy to become mixed up in the history.
March 1, 2024
My 4th of the 16 Lives Books - I'm not sure why but I found it hard to get through this one in terms of it took me a goof few weeks and not the 5 days it did for James Connolly, maybe more me than anything with the book - anyway again a fascinating insight to the "leader" of the 1916 leaders - a very driven individual like Thomas Clarke.
May 21, 2016
They were brave and determined, willing to risk their lives, the men and women who rose up on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916 to fight for Irish freedom from the rule of Great Britain. Sixteen of the leaders were executed during the week following the ill-fated rising, the first being Patrick Pearse, declared President of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic. After taking over the Government Post Office (GPO), Pearse appeared under the GPO portico to read the Proclamation of Independence. Nine days later on May 3rd, he was dead.
Patrick Pearse and his brother Willie were sons of an English father and Irish mother. They grew up hearing the stories and songs of his Gaelic heritage from his mother's family. Patrick Pearse studied and received degrees from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He was called to the Bar in 1901, and could have had a successful career as a barrister, but instead felt drawn to his Irish heritage. He established a school for young boys to teach them the Gaelic language, history, and literature in an attempt to revive the heritage that was slowly being forgotten. St. Enda's was Pearse's pride and joy, and as its headmaster and a member of the Gaelic League, he became acquainted with many leaders in the various Irish cultural societies. He was a renowned lecturer and gradually became associated with other influential men whose goal was to fight for an independent Ireland.
This was an informative biography, but at times confusing, as Ruan O'Donnell kept going back and forth in dates while presenting various events. The chronology was not straight forward. I would also have wished to hear more about Pearse's early life and interaction with his family, who obviously influenced him so much. These are the reasons I only gave this book 3 stars. The rating should not deter from the otherwise excellent information included in this book, much of which came from Pearse's own letters and writings, as well as firsthand recollections of people who knew Pearse or witnessed the events of this time.
This is the fourth book I have read in the 16 Lives series, and I highly recommend the series to anyone interested in the Irish struggle for freedom through the ages. Although I knew the history of the Easter Rising and the fate of the leaders, I was brought to tears on a number of occasions while reading this biography. In a letter to his mother before his execution, Pearse wrote, "We do not expect that they will spare the lives of the leaders. We are ready to die and we shall die cheerfully and proudly. Personally I do not hope or even desire to live, but I do hope and desire and believe that the lives of all our followers will be saved...You must not grieve for all this. We have preserved Ireland's honour and our own." Whenever I hear the Irish ballad, "Only Our Rivers Run Free", these words from the song: "I drink to the death of her manhood, Those men who would rather have died, Than to live in the cold chains of bondage" make me think of these 16 men who gave all.
Patrick Pearse and his brother Willie were sons of an English father and Irish mother. They grew up hearing the stories and songs of his Gaelic heritage from his mother's family. Patrick Pearse studied and received degrees from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He was called to the Bar in 1901, and could have had a successful career as a barrister, but instead felt drawn to his Irish heritage. He established a school for young boys to teach them the Gaelic language, history, and literature in an attempt to revive the heritage that was slowly being forgotten. St. Enda's was Pearse's pride and joy, and as its headmaster and a member of the Gaelic League, he became acquainted with many leaders in the various Irish cultural societies. He was a renowned lecturer and gradually became associated with other influential men whose goal was to fight for an independent Ireland.
This was an informative biography, but at times confusing, as Ruan O'Donnell kept going back and forth in dates while presenting various events. The chronology was not straight forward. I would also have wished to hear more about Pearse's early life and interaction with his family, who obviously influenced him so much. These are the reasons I only gave this book 3 stars. The rating should not deter from the otherwise excellent information included in this book, much of which came from Pearse's own letters and writings, as well as firsthand recollections of people who knew Pearse or witnessed the events of this time.
This is the fourth book I have read in the 16 Lives series, and I highly recommend the series to anyone interested in the Irish struggle for freedom through the ages. Although I knew the history of the Easter Rising and the fate of the leaders, I was brought to tears on a number of occasions while reading this biography. In a letter to his mother before his execution, Pearse wrote, "We do not expect that they will spare the lives of the leaders. We are ready to die and we shall die cheerfully and proudly. Personally I do not hope or even desire to live, but I do hope and desire and believe that the lives of all our followers will be saved...You must not grieve for all this. We have preserved Ireland's honour and our own." Whenever I hear the Irish ballad, "Only Our Rivers Run Free", these words from the song: "I drink to the death of her manhood, Those men who would rather have died, Than to live in the cold chains of bondage" make me think of these 16 men who gave all.
February 9, 2018
A very educational book about Patrick Pearse and in-particular his involvement in the Rising. This book contains fascinating facts about Patrick I was not aware of.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews