Thomas Ashe

DOMHNAIGH -- On April 28, 1916, as the rebels in Dublin were being squeezed harder and harder by the British and nearing the end of their resistance, outside the city the rebels were achieving a small victory. Led by Thomas Ashe, a group of Irish Volunteers ambushed a 40-man unit of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in Ashbourne, Co. Meath. The two sides battled each other for several hours, until finally the police began to run short of ammunition and surrendered to Ashe's men. Eight policemen had died and fifteen were wounded. Ashe would eventually spend time in jail for his role in the uprising, and in 1917 he would be jailed again. He began a hunger strike on Sept. 20, demanding POW status and died after just five days from injuries while being force-fed. The manner of his death outraged the Irish population. (By the way, Ashe has a famous American cousin: actor Gregory Peck).

LUAIN -- On April 29, 1916, surrounded and driven from their position in the GPO, with James Connolly severely wounded, and having little hope of help from outside the city, Patrick Pearse and the leaders of the Rising were faced with a decision. All of them were more than ready to die fighting for a Republic themselves, but Pearse had just watched a family of three shot down in the street while waving a white flag. Hanging on the wall was a picture of Robert Emmet standing in the dock; glancing at that hero, whose epitaph Pearse dearly wished to write, he knew what they had to do. When Pearse made his decision to surrender, Tom Clarke, the old rebel who had been given the honor of placing his name first on the Republic proclamation, turned his face to the wall and wept. Their dreams of an Irish Republic were coming to an end, but their sacrifice gave new life to the violent struggle that would lead to that republic.

LUAIN to SATHAIRN -- From April 29 through May 4, 1863, the 6th Louisiana Infantry, a largely Irish Confederate regiment, fought at the 2nd battle of Fredericksburg, during the Chancellorsville campaign. With its ranks filled with Irishmen from New Orleans and roundabouts, the 6th would fight in nearly every major battle of the eastern theater, from 1st Bull Run to Appomattox. The Confederate forces engaged at the 2nd battle of Fredericksburg fought against heavy odds as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, leading the Army of Northern Virginia, were fighting Joe Hooker to the west at Chancellorsville. Outnumbered more than 2 to 1, the Confederates in Fredericksburg did their best to hold the Federal forces, which were intent on getting at Lee's flank and aiding Hooker. On May 3rd they finally broke the thin rebel line at the same sunken road where so many futile attacks were made the preceding December. The 6th, posted to the right of the breakthrough, was nearly surrounded and captured, but managed to retreat. The Confederates, including the 6th, would form another line near Salem Church and the next day they would be part of Robert E. Lee's counterattack, which would drive the Federals back across the Rappahannock River. The 6th would suffer 20 killed, 68 wounded and 98 missing during the six days of the fighting around Fredericksburg.

From "A Doughboy With the Fighting 69th," by Albert Ettinger Father Francis Duffy, at Brieulles-sur-Bar, France, on Nov. 4, 1918.

DEARDAOIN -- On May 2, 1870, Father Francis Duffy, World War I chaplain of the 69th New York, was born in Cobourg, Ontario. Francis moved to New York at age 22 to teach at St. Francis Xavier College but quit to enter the seminary. Father Duffy became well known around the town as an editor of the Catholic New York Review and later as the chaplain of the 69th New York National Guard, the famous "Fighting 69th." When the 69th went off to France in 1917 (redesignated the 165th Infantry by the Federal government), the 46-year-old Duffy went with them. No one who served with the 69th in France would ever forget the ubiquitous cleric, who knew no fear as he ministered to his khaki-clad congregation. Duffy was so active in his duties that it was said that Douglas MacArthur thought him worthy of commanding a combat unit. After the war, Father Duffy became pastor of Holy Cross parish, near Times Square. Everyone in New York, from the Mayor down to the shoeshine boys on the street, knew – and loved Father Duffy. When he died from a liver infection June 26, 1932, the whole city mourned and provided him with a funeral worthy of a great man. Over 50,000 stood in silence along the route to St. Raymond's Cemetery, while many of his old 69th comrades accompanied him on that final trip. In 1937, a statue of Father Duffy was unveiled in Times Square. There the good Father stands guard over his old parish to this day.

AOINE -- On May 4, 1916, the British executed Patrick Pearse's younger brother, Willie. Willie was not one of the signers of the Proclamation; he was not one of the planners of the revolt, nor was he one of it commanders. Willie was merely one of the soldiers involved with the Dublin actions. No other participant in Dublin whose actions or responsibilities were similar to Willie's was executed in those dark days, save perhaps John MacBride, and MacBride's earlier service with the Boers probably marked him for death. It seems likely that the sole reason William Pearse was executed by the British government was for the crime of being Patrick's brother. It was repugnant British excesses such as this that would soon reverse the Irish people's initially negative opinion of the '16 Rising.

VOICES

National Museum of Ireland The Irish Republic flag captured by the British army in 1916. It was returned to the Irish government in 1966.

'In every generation the Irish people have asserted their right to national freedom and sovereignty; six times during the last the past three hundred years they have asserted it in arms. Standing on that fundamental right and again asserting it in arms in the face of the world, we hereby proclaim the Irish Republic as a Sovereign Independent State, and we pledge our lives and the lives of our comrades-in-arms to the cause of its freedom, of its welfare, and of its exaltation among the nations.'
         -- A portion of "The Proclamation of the Irish Republic" posted on Easter Monday, 1916.

Patrick Pearse

'For the sake of our fellow citizens and our comrades across this city who are likely to be shot or burned to death, I propose . . . we surrender.'          -- Patrick Pearse addressing his fellow rebels Saturday, April 29, 1916.   For myself, I cannot claim any special attribute except that of being fond of people – just people.'          -- Father Francis Duffy, chaplain of the famed "Fighting 69th" during World War I

BIRTHS

April -- Aibreán

 28, 1875 - Teresa Kearney (Mother Kevin - "Mother Kevina" -- Missionary -- founder of Franciscan Missionary Sisters -- Knockenrahan, Co. Wicklow.)

29, 1769 - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (Soldier and statesman -- Dublin)

1, 1739 - Gen. James O'Moran - Officer in the Irish Brigade of France - Co. Roscommon)

? (Possibly July), 1838 - Richard Dowling (Commander of Confederate
Davis Guards, who repulsed Union fleet at Sabine pass in Texas, September 1863, US
Civil War - Co. Galway.)

?, 1858 - Jennie Wyse (née O'Toole) (Feminist, politician - Baltinglass,
Co. Wicklow.)

1, 1830 - Mary Harris "Mother" Jones (Labor leader - Cork City)

2, 1870 - Father Francis Duffy (Chaplain of the 69th New York, WW I - Cobourg,
Ontario.)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

28, 1794 - Rev. William Jackson, agent of French revolutionary government, arrested in Dublin on charge of high treason.

28, 1916 - Battle of Ashbourne - Irish Volunteers led by Thomas Ashe ambush RIC men.

28, 1927 - Death of Dan Daly, two-time winner of the U.S.Medal of Honor Medal of Honor.

29, 1829 - Catholic Emancipation Act passed giving rights to hold military and civilian offices

29, 1901 - James Stephens, chief founder of the Fenians, dies in Dublin.

29- May 4 - The largely Irish 6th Louisiana Infantry regiment fights at the 2nd battle of Fredericksburg during the Chancellorsville campaign.

29, 1916 - Irish rebels, led by Patrick Pearse and James Connolly, surrender in Dublin.

30, 1795 - Rev. William Jackson, United Irishmen, found guilty, commits suicide in the dock.

May -- Bealtaine

?, 1171 - Battle of Dublin.

1-5, 1169 - Norman invasion begins. A small force arrives to help Diarmaid MacMurrough, regain the kingship of Leinster.

1-5, 1171 - Diarmaid MacMurrough, King of Leinster, dies in Ferns, Co. Wexford.

1, 1823 - Oliver Harty, Baron de Pierrebourg, of Co. Limerick, Lieutenant-General in Napoleon's army, retires.

2, 1316 - Edward the Bruce of Scotland crowned high king of Ireland at Dundalk.

2, 1565 - Shane O'Neill defeats the MacDonnells at Glenshesk, Co. Antrim.

2, 1794 - United Irishman Archibald Rowan escapes from custody, eventually making his way to America.

2, 1882 - Parnell released from prison by 'Kilmainham Treaty.'

2, 1957 - Father Aloysius Roche, Irish patriot, dies.

3, 1844 - Anti-Irish Catholic mobs burn 2 churches and large portions of Irish neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

3, 1916 - Patrick Pearse executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

3, 1916 - Thomas Clarke executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

3, 1916 - Thomas MacDonagh executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

3, 1921 - IRA troops under Tom Maguire (wounded six times) fight off 600 English troops in Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo.

4, 1836 - Founding of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, New York City.

4, 1916 - Edward Daly executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

4, 1916 - Michael O'Hanrahan executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

4, 1916 - William Pearse executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.

4, 1916 - Joseph Mary Plunkett executed by firing squad in Kilmainham jail.