John Locke (poet) facts for kids

John Locke (born 1847, died 1889) was an Irish writer. He was also a Fenian activist, which means he supported Irish independence from British rule. He had to leave Ireland and move to the United States. John Locke is most famous for writing a poem called "Dawn on the Irish Coast." It's also known as "The Exiles Return, or Morning on the Irish coast."

Growing Up in Ireland

John Locke was born in 1847 in a place called Minauns, near Callan, County Kilkenny, in Ireland. Even when he was in school, he loved writing poems on small pieces of paper. His first poem was published in 1863 when he was just 16 years old. In Callan, people especially remember him for his poem "The Calm Avonree." There's even a special plaque on the Town Hall building dedicated to him as a "patriot poet." He wrote many other poems, including "The Old Abbey Well," "The Burial of Sarsfield," and "Twilight on Slievenamon."

His Most Famous Poem

His most famous poem, "Dawn on the Irish Coast," was written in 1877. This poem became so popular that it was even included in school books used by the Irish Christian Brothers. Their founder, Edmund Rice, was also born in Callan. The poem appeared in different books under slightly different names. For example, it was called "Morning on the Irish coast" in a book called Irish Literature. It was also printed as "Dawn on the Irish Coast" in another book called Werner's Readings.

A Talented Hurler

When he was younger, John Locke was known as a very good hurler. Hurling is a fast-paced Irish sport. The local Callan GAA hurling team was even named the "John Lockes" in 1902 to honor him.

Joining the Fenians

While still a teenager, John Locke became involved with the Fenian movement. This group worked for Irish independence. He wrote articles and poems for the Irish People newspaper that spoke out against British rule in Ireland. Because of his writings, the newspaper was shut down. John Locke was arrested and spent six months in Kilkenny jail.

Life in America

After he was released from jail, he spent some time in Manchester, England. There, he helped organize Irish people who had moved away from Ireland but still wanted to oppose British rule. Later, he sailed to America and settled in New York. He became a full-time journalist. His reputation as a writer and activist had already reached America. He quickly became friends with many important journalists, including the scholar and patriot John O'Mahony. He continued to write poetry, often about the people and places he missed in Ireland.

Marriage and Later Life

In 1881, John Locke married Mary Cooney in New York. Mary was from Kilkenny city in Ireland and was also a poet. John's brother, Rev. Dr. Joseph Locke, performed the wedding ceremony. Sadly, John Locke died at the young age of 42 on January 31, 1889.

His Poetry and Legacy

John Locke wrote many short stories and even a few full-length novels. After joining the staff of the Celtic Monthly magazine, he wrote what many consider his best novel, The Shamrock and Palmetto. He also wrote a historical novel called Ulick Grace: A Tale of the Tithes. However, he is best remembered today for his poem "Dawn on the Irish Coast." It's also known as the "Emigrants Anthem." This poem was set to music in 1896 and became a popular song.

Inspiration for "Dawn on the Irish Coast"

The poem was inspired by a friend's story. This older gentleman had briefly returned to Ireland after many years away. He described how he felt when his ship slowly approached the Irish coast as the sun rose. He stood on the ship's deck, and his tired eyes saw a beautiful sight: the green coastline of County Kerry appeared. It was the first time in 30 years he had seen his homeland. John Locke was an exile himself, and he knew he might never see Ireland again. He was deeply touched by his friend's emotional story of returning to Ireland. Because of this, the poem has been shared and quoted at many events, gatherings, and in countless pubs and hotels for over 120 years. When US President Ronald Reagan visited Ireland in 1984, he even quoted the first verse of the poem, which received a lot of applause.