Joseph Plunkett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Plunkett
Seosamh Pluincéid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 21 November 1887 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 4 May 1916 (aged 28) Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, Ireland |
| Buried |
Arbour Hill Prison, Dublin
|
| Allegiance | Irish Volunteers Irish Republican Brotherhood |
| Years of service | 1913–1916 |
| Rank | Commandant General |
| Unit | Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers |
| Commands held | General Post Office, Dublin |
| Battles/wars | Easter Rising |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Gifford (married. 1916-1916) |
Joseph Mary Plunkett (in Irish: Seosamh Máire Pluincéid; born 21 November 1887 – died 4 May 1916) was an important Irish figure. He was a republican, a poet, a journalist, and a leader in the 1916 Easter Rising. Joseph Mary Plunkett married Grace Gifford in 1916, just seven hours before he was executed.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Plunkett was born in Dublin, Ireland, in a very wealthy area. His parents were from rich families, and his father, George Noble Plunkett, had a special title given by the Pope.
When Joseph was young, he got tuberculosis (TB), which is a serious lung illness. Because of this, he spent some of his youth in warmer places like the Mediterranean region and North Africa. He even lived in Algiers for a while, where he studied Arabic literature and language. He also wrote poetry in Arabic.
He went to school at the Catholic University School and later at Belvedere College in Dublin. He also studied at Stonyhurst College in England. There, he learned some military skills.
Interests and Irish Nationalism
Throughout his life, Joseph Plunkett was very interested in Irish culture and the Irish language. He also learned Esperanto, which is a language created to be easy for people from different countries to learn. Plunkett even helped start the Irish Esperanto League.
He joined the Gaelic League, a group that promoted Irish language and culture. He became good friends with Thomas MacDonagh, who was also a poet. Both Joseph and Thomas were early members of the Irish Volunteers, a group formed to protect Ireland's rights.
Joseph's interest in Irish independence spread to his family. His younger brothers, George and John, also became involved. His father even let his property in Kimmage, south Dublin, be used as a training camp. Young men who wanted to avoid being forced to join the British army during World War I trained there.
Joining the Irish Republican Brotherhood
Around 1915, Joseph Plunkett joined a secret group called the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). This group wanted Ireland to be fully independent from Britain. Soon after joining, he was sent to Germany to meet with Roger Casement. Casement was trying to get help from Germany for Ireland.
The IRB leaders wanted one of their own members to talk to Germany about getting weapons for an uprising. Plunkett successfully got a promise that Germany would send weapons to help with the planned uprising.
Role in the Easter Rising
Plunkett was one of the first members of the IRB Military Committee. This committee was in charge of planning the Easter Rising. Most of the plan for the Rising was his idea.
Just before the Rising began, Plunkett became very sick and had to go to the hospital. He had an operation on his neck only a few days before Easter. Even though he was still bandaged and weak, he insisted on taking part. He went to the General Post Office in Dublin with other leaders like Patrick Pearse and Tom Clarke. His poor health meant he couldn't be very active, but he was there. Michael Collins was his personal assistant during this time.
Marriage and Execution
After the Easter Rising ended and the Irish Volunteers surrendered, Plunkett was taken to Kilmainham Gaol prison. He faced a military trial.
Seven hours before he was executed by a firing squad, Joseph Plunkett married his girlfriend, Grace Gifford. They got married in the prison chapel. Joseph was only 28 years old. Grace's sister, Muriel, had married Joseph's best friend, Thomas MacDonagh, who was also executed for his part in the Rising. Grace Gifford never married again after Joseph's death.
After the Rising
Joseph's brothers, George Oliver Plunkett and Jack Plunkett, also took part in the Easter Rising. They later became important members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
His father's cousin, Horace Plunkett, was a Protestant who wanted to bring together people who supported Irish independence and those who wanted to stay part of Britain.
Joseph Plunkett named his sister, Geraldine, as the person in charge of his writings after he died. She published a book of his poetry just one month after his execution in June 1916.
Today, the main railway station in Waterford City is named after him. Also, Plunkett barracks in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, is named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Plunkett para niños
