Pierce McCan facts for kids

Pierce McCan (born August 2, 1882 – died March 6, 1919) was an important Irish politician. He was a member of Sinn Féin, a political party that wanted Ireland to be independent from Britain. He was elected to represent the people of Tipperary East in 1918. Sadly, he died in prison during a worldwide sickness called the Spanish flu pandemic.

Pierce McCan's Early Life and Political Start

Pierce McCan was born on August 2, 1882, in County Wexford, Ireland. His father, Francis McCan, managed large areas of land. Pierce went to two schools, Clongowes Wood College and Downside School. He later lived in Cashel, County Tipperary, and was a successful farmer.

He became interested in Irish independence early on. In 1905, he helped start Sinn Féin, a political party that wanted Ireland to be a self-governing country. He also joined the Gaelic League in 1909, which worked to promote the Irish language and culture. From 1914, he was part of the Irish Volunteers, a group that aimed to protect Ireland's right to self-rule.

Fighting for Irish Independence

During World War I, many German and Austrian prisoners were held in Ireland. Pierce McCan tried to help them escape in 1914, but his plan was stopped.

He was arrested and held in prison several times for his political activities. After the Easter Rising in 1916, a major rebellion in Dublin, he was held for several months. In 1918, he was arrested again and sent to Gloucester Gaol in England.

While he was in prison, something amazing happened. In the 1918 Irish general election, Pierce McCan was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tipperary East. This showed how much support he had from the people.

The First Dáil and Pierce McCan's Death

In January 1919, the Sinn Féin MPs, including Pierce McCan, decided not to go to the British Parliament. Instead, they met in Dublin to form their own Irish parliament called Dáil Éireann. This was a big step towards Irish independence.

However, Pierce McCan never got to sit in Dáil Éireann. He was still in prison when he became sick during the Spanish flu pandemic, which was a very serious illness spreading around the world. He sadly died in prison on March 6, 1919. He was buried a few days later in Dualla, Cashel, County Tipperary.

A Hero Remembered

After Pierce McCan's death, the Dáil Éireann honored him. On April 10, 1919, Cathal Brugha, a leader in the Dáil, asked everyone to stand up. He said that Pierce McCan was the first member of their parliament to "die for Ireland." He said that Pierce's memory would always be cherished by his friends and honored by future generations.

To remember him, a military base in Templemore, County Tipperary, was named McCan Barracks after him.

Pierce McCan's Family

Pierce McCan's brother, Joseph, also became involved in politics. In 1933, Joseph tried to get elected in the Tipperary area, but he was not successful.

See also

• List of members of the Oireachtas imprisoned during the Irish revolutionary period