Edward Daly (Irish revolutionary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Daly
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 25 February 1891 Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | 4 May 1916 (aged 25) Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, Ireland |
| Allegiance | Irish Volunteers Irish Republican Brotherhood |
| Years of service | 1913–1916 |
| Rank | Commandant |
| Commands held | 1st battalion |
| Battles/wars | Easter Rising |
Edward Daly (1891–1916) was an important leader during the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin. He held the rank of commandant, leading the 1st battalion. Edward Daly was the youngest person to reach this high military rank during the Rising. He was also the youngest person executed after the rebellion.
Edward Daly's Early Life
Edward Daly was born in Limerick, Ireland, on February 25, 1891. He was the only son in a family of ten children. His father, Edward, was a Fenian, a member of a group that wanted Ireland to be free. His father passed away before Edward was born.
Edward's uncle, John Daly, was also a well-known Irish leader. He had taken part in earlier movements for Irish independence. Edward's sister, Kathleen Clarke, was married to Tom Clarke, another key figure in the fight for Irish freedom. Both Kathleen and Tom were active in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), a secret group working to make Ireland independent.
Edward went to school in Limerick. He later worked in a timber yard there. After that, he moved to Dublin and worked for a company that sold chemicals. In 1913, he lived with his sister Kathleen and her husband Tom Clarke in Dublin.
Joining the Fight for Ireland
Edward Daly was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), a secret group that wanted Ireland to be a free country. In November 1913, he joined the Irish Volunteers. This group was formed to protect Ireland's rights.
Edward quickly became a captain. He studied military books very carefully. His company was known for being very professional. They showed this during events like the Howth gun-running in 1914. This was when guns were secretly brought into Ireland for the Volunteers. In March 1915, Edward was promoted to commandant of the 1st Battalion. Like many other leaders of the Easter Rising, Edward was also a member of the Gaelic League. This group worked to promote Irish language and culture.
Edward Daly and the Easter Rising
During the Easter Rising in 1916, Edward Daly's battalion fought in the Four Courts area of Dublin. This area was to the west and north of the city center. His battalion saw some of the toughest fighting of the entire Rising.
On April 29, 1916, Edward Daly was ordered to surrender his battalion by Patrick Pearse, one of the main leaders of the Rising. After the Rising, Edward was put on trial by a military court. He was found guilty and was executed by firing squad on May 4, 1916. He was only 25 years old.
The soldiers who served under Edward Daly spoke highly of him. They said he was a very good leader. Even a British officer captured by Daly's battalion agreed that he was a strong leader.
In 1966, the Bray railway station was renamed Bray Daly railway station to honor Edward Daly.
